Agenda and activities

Current Research and Evaluation Agenda

MLA advocates evidence-based decision-making. We use research to drive policy and strategy development, understand and monitor performance, support, strengthen and improve the sector, and demonstrate impact.

Research at MLA underpins the organisation’s strategic priorities.

Continuous improvement; We take it as an article of faith that each and every museum, library and archive needs to be excellent. We have a range of ways of identifying and celebrating best practice, helping spread excellence across the sector. The MLA also offers tools to help those who want to improve, aimed at practitioners themselves and also at funders and sponsors. The outcomes we would wish to see in this area include an improvement in the overall quality of experience of customers and increasing evidence that services are responsive to local needs. The other major outcome sought is improved value for money across the sector.
Learning and skills; Museums, libraries and archives make a very tangible contribution to learning and skills for children, families, and adults. In a recession, this is an area of MLA activity which is increasingly important. The specific outcomes we would wish to see in this area include improved access to learning materials, increased employment opportunities and greater participation in positive learning activities across the sector.
Sustainable communities and their economies. Culture is central to healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities. Culture is also at the heart of individual communities and therefore especially relevant to local authorities in their place shaping role. All local authorities need to think deeply about the contribution to well being that culture can make to their areas social and economic vitality. The specific outcomes we would wish to see in this area include greater social cohesion, increased social responsibility and the introduction of new audiences to the services on offer through museums, libraries and archives.