This project aims to maximise the policy impact of research already undertaken on walkability, particularly the development of a Real Walkability Network, which has initially been generated as part of the PARC project based on a study area of East Belfast. This project aims to extend the applicability of the developed policy tools to cover the two main cities of Northern Ireland, Belfast and Derry, so that the model then covers 37% of the population and some of the most deprived communities in the region. The project will disseminate the use of this model to practitioners in order to increase the evidence base for interventions in the built environment aimed at promoting physical activity. It will provide a range of benefits for both the academic community and the end users of research. For academics, it will make important contributions to ongoing research on understanding the environmental correlates of physical activity and through engagement with practitioner communities will aim to create a virtuous circle of research, implementation and feedback. For end users it will provide benefits in terms of the establishment of a useful decision-making tool that will enhance the evidence base for environmental interventions for improving physical activity and will provide training and capacity building in its use with the aim of establishing sustainability for its ongoing deployment. The value of the project is reflected in the large number of public bodies that have been willing to become partners, including Belfast and Derry City Councils, Department of Regional Development, Dept of Health Social Services and Public Safety, Public Health Agency and Belfast Healthy Cities, as well as cities in England, who have provided match funding and in kind support of over £88,000. The project will run for 12 months and employ two research assistants to help undertake three separate work packages: Work Package 1: Model consolidation and validation. (Months 1-5) This work package will involve the appointment, training and placement of 2 research assistants to be based in Belfast and Derry City Councils respectively, during which time they will consolidate and extend the model developed for East Belfast so that it has operational coverage of the entire 2 local authority areas. The model will be subject to validation using random checking of critical elements, such as land use and footpath coverage. During this time the research assistants will interact with staff of local authorities and other statutory agencies to begin to build up an understanding of the extent, form and availability of spatial data and the information needs of different partners, including potential links to regional strategies on obesity, active travel and physical activity. Work Package 2: Project integration and sustainability (Months 6-10). Work package 2 will involve a process of integrating the walkability models and other elements of spatial analysis into the existing physical activity-related programmes of the partner organisations to improve their effectiveness, efficiency and accuracy. This stage of the project will also involve developing the capacity of project partners to ensure the sustainability of the place-specific walkability models. Work Package 3: Knowledge dissemination and engagement with wider practitioner communities (Months 11-12) Work Package 3 will involve an evaluation and a report of the benefits, costs and opportunities arising from the operational deployment of walkability models and their integration with other central and local government responsibilities and initiatives. On the basis of this evaluation, a series of workshops will be run in Northern Ireland and the UK. Finally, the findings of the project will be presented at three conferences to disseminate the findings to different academic and practitioner communities.

Four one day Knowledge Exchange Events (KE Events) set within the different 'countries' of the UK, supported by four online discussions each led by a lead academic and including key policy leads and practitioners. Each event will be followed by a structured online discussion of between 4-6 weeks duration, to develop key themes, exchange best practice, and consolidate outcomes on emerging areas in public disclosure, which will be facilitated by one of the proposers, include presenters from the KE Events, and invited key policy makers and practitioners. KE Event 1:Access, impact and value-added (Scotland; co-hosted with the Risk Management Authority & led by Kemshall, Murray (ipsos) & Chan (ipsos). To focus on the value-added to child protection and reasons for limited impact; strategies to maximise impact; development & future use of impact measures. To share learning and best practice on access, targeting and marketing strategies, with a focus on increasing take-up by marginal and excluded groups, and increasing the scheme's responsiveness to diverse populations. Online discussion 1:(led by Kemshall & Murray/Chan). This discussion will focus on both minority offending and victim groups, examining the unique issues, concerns and impacts that disclosure has upon these groups. KE Events 2: Localism, community and reintegration (Northern Ireland; co-hosted with PPANI & NOTA (NI), led by McCartan, Maruna (QUB) & McAlinden (QUB)). This event will take a dual stream approach with one addressing northern Ireland related issues (issues of localism, with particular reference to the 'troubles' in Northern Ireland and policing, offender management, community activism) and the other addressing the republic of Ireland (cross border issues, the development of public disclosure scheme, austerity and a focus on particular Irish issues (i.e., cultural attitudes to sexuality, sexual abuse).This event will examine the social mechanisms that either reintegrate or exclude sex offenders. Online discussion 2:(led by Kemshall, McCartan & Wilson (McMaster)) This discussion will focus on the realities of sex offender reintegration and management in the community, in the light of disclosure, austerity and changes to the CJS. Online discussion 3:(led by Dr Donald Findlater (Stop it Now)) This discussion will focus on the public's understanding of issues around sexual offending and whether existing professional educational techniques are working, or is a change in tactics needed. KE Events 3: Devolution, Context & Partnership Networks (Wales;co-hosted with WCCSJ & led by Hudson). This event would address the impact of devolution and its links to 'shared' Criminal justice services; cultural/social/economic differences in rural and urban contexts; existing local networks/partnerships and their role in shaping the design and delivery of public disclosure. This is event would therefore address the relationship between govermentality, austerity and the reality of offender management. Online discussion 4:(led by Kemshall, Lieb & Thomas (Leeds Met Uni))This discussion will focus on international aspects of sexual offending, including, what this means in terms of aetiology, offending, treatment, policy, practice and management. KE Events 4:Public perceptions, media framing, and risk policy formation (England;co-hosted with SWM Probation and lead by kemshall/lieb). To review the formulation of risk policies on sex offender regulation & management in the community. Comparison to the USA position and an overview of policy development around the public disclosure scheme in the UK provide important lessons for understanding and managing public expectations, media pressure, & political responses to risk anxieties; with a key theme being risk communication around sexual offending with the public, particularly in an age of austerity. The KE Event will also consider the use of evidence in future risk responses to sex offenders, & future likely directions for disclosure.