The ‘Beyond Imagination Life Survey’, a project undertaken by ImaginationLancaster, Lancaster University’s design-led lab research laboratory, is helping local district councils, including Lancaster City Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, to find out more about the people living in their areas and, more importantly, gather their thoughts on a range of topics.
The results of the ‘Beyond Imagination Life Survey’ provide a large data set from which the summary findings and six case studies are launched today. BMG Research were commissioned to undertake the Life Survey on Lancaster university’s behalf.
Headed by ImaginationLancaster’s Director of Research Professor Leon Cruickshank, the survey of almost 3,000 residents, 1,600 of whom were from the Lancaster district, has gathered a representative picture of views, attitudes and experiences, which will inform council policy and planning for the future as well as informing future research projects.
The film below introduces the Life Survey project followed by further information on how to access the Life survey findings. The research is part of the University’s ImaginationLancaster £13.2m Beyond Imagination project, funded by Research England and Lancaster University to explore how cutting-edge design research can create a healthier, more prosperous and sustainable world.
Accessing the Life Survey reports, dataset and dashboard
Beyond Imagination Life Survey: Topline Reports and Case Studies
BMG Research Topline Reports of the Life Survey findings and six case studies created in collaboration with Connected Places Catapult are available to view and download below.
BMG Research Topline Reports
Lancaster District Topline Report
Blackburn with Darwen Topline Report
Lancaster Blackburn Comparison Topline Report
Life Survey BMG Research Technical Report
Catapult Case Studies
Employment and the Public Realm
Food Insecurity in the Lancaster District
Hidden Poverty and Child Poverty
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Blackburn with Darwen
Social Isolation and Integration in Blackburn with Darwen
Sustainability in the Lancaster District
Life Survey Catapult Data Analysis report
Life Survey: Data Dashboard
A data visualisation dashboard for the Life Survey has been created in collaboration with Connected Places Catapult. Access to the data dashboard is restricted to Lancaster University researchers and officers in Lancaster City Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council. Lancaster University host and manage the data dashboard with access granted on a role-based basis. Conditions for access and a password protected log on to the dashboard can be requested by emailing Lydia at lifesurvey@lancaster.ac.uk
Life Survey Dataset
Access to the anonymised Life Survey dataset is restricted to researchers within UK universities. The dataset is available on request with an appropriate Data Access Agreement. To request access and receive further information about the dataset and conditions for access please email Lydia at lifesurvey@lancaster.ac.uk
Local Authority Officer requests to access the dataset
An Information Sharing Agreement has been signed between ImaginationLancaster, Lancaster City Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council to facilitate the sharing of the Life Survey dataset with the local authorities. Access will be granted to officers on a role based basis.
Officers within Lancaster City Council should contact Kirsty Chekansky with dataset access requests.
Email: kchekansky@Lancaster.gov.uk
Officers within Blackburn with Darwen Council should contact Elise Carroll with dataset access requests.
Email: elise.carroll@blackburn.gov.uk
The Life Survey questionnaire can be downloaded here.
Leon Cruickshank
Gemma Coupe