Knowledge Transfer Partnership in the North

Project

Flora and Zephyr statue at Nostell with visitors in the background — Explore room upon room of treasures at Nostell

Rhododendrons in bloom on the lake at Lyme, Cheshire

The North Range of Speke Hall during rhododendron season — Vibrant colours on the North Lawn in early summer

Ben Wilcock – Academic Research and Engagement Coordinator

Meet Ben, our KTP associate in the North.

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Research to Move, Teach and Inspire

Collaborative research across the North

We’ve partnered up with the University of Manchester on a project to enhance the way we work with academic research. Researchers at a range of universities across the North are working with seven National Trust places on this Knowledge Transfer Partnership project: Dunham Massey; Little Moreton Hall; Lyme; Nostell; Sizergh; Speke; and Quarry Bank.

What is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership?

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are collaborative projects with the aim to spread academic knowledge into businesses and industry. Funding is shared by the government, the university partner, and the industry partner. This project is the National Trust’s second KTP, after the Trusted Source project with Oxford University. We've developed this project across the North of England with the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures at the University of Manchester.

The National Trust and Academic research

The National Trust has a long history of working with academic researchers, and some brilliant and innovative projects have been the result of collaboration between the Trust and universities. This KTP project will help to build on the existing relationships, develop new ties with properties and university department, and will allow for easier, longer-term collaboration.

The Trust has recently launched a new 10-year strategy. As part of this we're rethinking the way in which we respond to our buildings, collections and outdoor spaces. We aim to offer visitors an experience that ‘moves, teaches and inspires’ and deepens the connection people have to the places we look after. Engaging more with academic research will help us to deliver this.

Previous academic research projects in the North

Scaffolding going up at Quarry Bank House

Follow the restoration of Quarry Bank House and the worker's cottage

The restoration of Quarry Bank House and the worker's cottage is underway. Follow our progress and see behind the scenes to what it takes to conserve and restore historic buildings.

How we used to sleep

A research project from the University of Manchester and Little Moreton Hall, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council

The first KTP project: Trusted Source

The Corinthian Arch stands proud as you drive up Stowe Avenue to greet your arrival.

Trusted Source: Knowledge Transfer Partnership

The National Trust and Oxford University teamed up in a bid to enhance the visitor experience at our historic properties and places.