Dr Beatriz Garcia is Head of Research at the Institute of Cultural Capital and Director of Impacts 08, European Capital of Culture Research Programme at the University of Liverpool. Projects directed by Beatriz assess the legacy of cultural programming within major events such as the Olympic Games (summer and winter editions from Barcelona 1992 onwards), the European Capital of Culture (Glasgow 1990, Liverpool 2008), and the Commonwealth Games (Manchester 2002). Dr Garcia has been funded by the European Commission, Research Councils UK, British Academy, Universities China Committee, International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Olympic Academy to conduct her research across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia.

She collaborated with Palmer/Rae to evaluate the impact of 1995-2004 European Capitals of Culture, has been academic advisor to London 2012’s Culture & Education team since 2004 and is a member of the IOC Postgraduate Research Grant Selection Committee. Beatriz is editor of Culture @ the Olympics a magazine that has developed since 1999 to encourage discussion on the less known aspects of the Olympic Games. Her work is published within academic, policy and practitioner circles and her new books, The Olympics: The Basics and The Olympic Games and Cultural Policy (Routledge) will be available in 2012. Find access to papers & reports at: www.beatrizgarcia.net, www.culturalolympics.org.uk, , www.impacts08.net