LARIA’s One Day Conference and Awards: Book Now!

LARIA’s One Day Conference and Awards: Registration now open

Wednesday 25 March 2026
Local Government Association
18 Smith Square
Westminster
London
SW1P 3HZ

Local Evidence Matters:
Understanding Need Through Research and Data

Local Evidence Matters: Understanding Need Through Research and Data will bring together leading researchers, analysts, and practitioners to explore how robust local evidence can drive better decision-making and improve outcomes for communities. In an era where data is abundant but actionable insights are scarce, this conference will emphasise the critical role of localised research in identifying needs, shaping policy, and delivering targeted interventions. By focusing on the nuances of local contexts, we aim to bridge the gap between national strategies and community realities.

Participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions, share innovative methodologies, and examine case studies that demonstrate the power of insight-driven approaches at a local level. Whether you are working in health, education, social care, or economic development, this conference will offer a unique opportunity to collaborate, learn, and contribute to a growing movement that values evidence as the foundation for meaningful change. Together, we will explore how research and data can illuminate needs, inform priorities, and ultimately create stronger, more resilient local communities and neighbourhoods.  Register today!

Download Programme

For a closer look at this year’s speakers take a look at our Speaker Bios.

Tickets are priced at £80.00 for LARIA Members (Full Individual, Additional Corporate, Corporate and Full Corporate Members) and £100.00 for non-members and LARIA Associate Members. If you would like to join LARIA to benefit from the member rates, you can find information on the different memberships available on the website: LARIA Membership benefits

If you are a LARIA Member please sign-in below to register for the Member ticket. If you can’t remember your password click on the ‘request password’ link after you have clicked on ‘sign-in’ to request a temporary password.

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In Partnership with:

Conference Supported by:

WITH THANKS TO OUR EXHIBITORS  

LARIA - Local Area Research + Intelligence Association

CACI
W: www.caci.co.uk

CACI is a trusted data, data science and technology partner to local government and public sector organisations. Our vast array of data products that intricately describe people and place provide organisations with unparalleled data-driven insights. Combined with our expertise in data science and the latest AI techniques, we’re supporting organisations like yours to provide accurate and efficient support to their local community through evidence-based decision making.

ONS
W: www.ons.gov.uk

About ONS / ONS Local, Statistics, Analysis

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics and its recognised national statistical institute. We are responsible for collecting and publishing statistics related to the economy, population, and society at national, regional, and local levels. We also conduct the census in England and Wales every 10 years.

ONS Local is an analytical advisory service for local leaders to support evidence-based decision making across local government, with dedicated analysts based in every region and nation across the UK.  ONS Local aims to build close relationships with local analytical users, improve access to and understanding of ONS’s data, and build capability in the process. We aim to be a front door into the ONS, supporting users to make the most of the wider investment in subnational data, statistics, and analysis.

There are five pillars to the ONS Local service: analysis; data; networking; strategic and building capability. A large focus is ensuring the local data gaps are identified and brought back into ONS to ensure they are prioritised and met from across the division or in collaboration with other business areas across ONS. The team hold a huge amount of local intelligence and work particularly closely with Mayoral Combined Authorities.

Our local statistics and analysis functions provide the supporting infrastructure to deliver local data and insights and develop statistics and analysis at levels of geography that are meaningful to people, innovating with new data sources to improve the granularity, timeliness, and dissemination of local statistics, in response to the needs of our local stakeholders.

The ONS Local Statistics and Analysis (OLSA) Division brings together the ONS Local Service, Explore Local Statistics service and all our dedicated work on producing new subnational statistics and analysis in response to user needs.

NIHR
W: www.nihr.ac.uk

Our national centre provides support for public health research outside the NHS. Supporting the creation of high quality research evidence. Informing policy and practice to improve public health and reduce inequalities.

We offer advice and support around:

  • public health research in settings outside the NHS including local authorities, the education sector, and the voluntary sector
  • pre award research study design – our team of research methodologists have expertise in a range of research methods, including mixed methods, health economics, qualitative methods, epidemiology, quasi-experimental design, and involving the public in your research
  • explaining the funding available for public health research including the NIHR Fellowship Programme and other public health career development awards
  • training and development for public health researchers including access to online resources and signposting to training opportunities
  • research governance and ethics scoping with a central repository to share guidance, templates and examples of best practice for local authorities
  • direct resource for local authorities across England to increase their research capacity and capability through funded:
    • Public Health Engagement Leads
    • Local Authority Research Practitioners
    • Public Health Grassroots Awards – short placements to allow those working in public health to gain exposure to research opportunities
      • Public and community partnerships funding award – opportunity for local authorities in England to explore ways of involving diverse people and communities in public health research
  • research delivery support across England for public health research outside the NHS as part of a 2-year pilot
  • scoping work for the development of a public health research register
  • support from our 3 satellites in the Midlands, the South West and Yorkshire and Humber, who offer expert research design advice and funding support and allow us to have a presence across England

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