Submitting Institution: Edinburgh Napier University

REF impact found 19 Case Studies

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Development of acoustic Robust Details enhancing building performance and wellbeing of occupants

Summary of the impact

The Building Performance Centre at Edinburgh Napier University led by Professor Sean Smith was the first to research `robust details' for sound insulation during 2001-2004. This resulted in a government consultation, new regulatory approach, higher quality of life for home occupants, multi-stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange via a Design Handbook with 4,700 subscribers. Since 2008, over 300,000 robust detail homes have been built, noise complaints have fallen four-fold, site compliance rates have shifted from 35% to 99%, Smith leads a European 32-country robust design group and 16 patented products are manufactured in the UK.

Submitting Institution

Edinburgh Napier University

Unit of Assessment

Architecture, Built Environment and Planning

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Civil Engineering
Built Environment and Design: Engineering Design

Development of thin membrane isolators for attached housing enhancing building performance, wellbeing of occupants, resource efficiency and reducing costs.

Summary of the impact

Edinburgh Napier University was the first to develop thin membrane vibration isolators (2005) to allow party walls in new attached homes to be built off raft foundations. This led to the first Proof of Concept for the construction industry (2008) for perimeter isolators for blockwork apartments. Several patents have been granted leading to nine products manufactured by Icopal-Monarfloor, based in Manchester (UK), part of the Icopal global group. Over 15,000 homes have been built using these innovative isolators, delivering cost savings to the industry of over £80 million resulting in economic, environmental and quality of life benefits.

Submitting Institution

Edinburgh Napier University

Unit of Assessment

Civil and Construction Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Civil Engineering

Promoting Literacy and Creative Writing Skills at HMP Edinburgh

Summary of the impact

This case study describes the impact of research on reading and writing in prisons for prisoners at HMP Edinburgh, through a partnership between the BA (Hons) English Suite at Edinburgh Napier, Fife College (previously `Carnegie College') and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). Dr Anne Schwan's research into the literary and cultural significance of literacy in prisons has resulted in a partnership that benefits prisoners who receive one-to-one tuition from student volunteers. The students engage in literacy and creative writing exercises at the prison. These activities provide tailored support that could not be offered within the resource constraints of regular educational provision.

Submitting Institution

Edinburgh Napier University

Unit of Assessment

English Language and Literature

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Criminology
Language, Communication and Culture: Literary Studies
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies

Enhancing the Literary Reputation of Robert Louis Stevenson

Summary of the impact

Research at Edinburgh Napier University led to a range of activities enhancing the international literary reputation of Robert Louis Stevenson (RLS). Professor Linda Dryden has made a significant contribution to Stevenson's profile by promoting his reputation as a writer of serious and enduring literature for adults. This was achieved through public engagement and outreach activities that enhance the cultural lives of the audiences. The impact is measured through the creation of the RLS website, the establishment of RLS Day in Edinburgh, the acquisition of an RLS library, public lectures, numerous media appearances, a conference, and the Journal of Stevenson Studies (JSS) giving the impact both a local and an international profile.

Submitting Institution

Edinburgh Napier University

Unit of Assessment

English Language and Literature

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration
Language, Communication and Culture: Cultural Studies, Literary Studies

Improving employment outcomes for disadvantaged groups by informing policy

Summary of the impact

This case study describes the impact of research on improving employment outcomes for disadvantaged groups by influencing Government policy on employability. The case study focuses on the contribution to national employment policy from research conducted by the Employment Research Institute (ERI) at Edinburgh Napier University. Impacts outlined in this case study describe research that has been applied in the public policy field to address the issue of improving employment outcomes for those with complex barriers to employment.

Submitting Institution

Edinburgh Napier University

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration, Sociology

Improving the provision of mental health care for survivors of psychological trauma

Summary of the impact

Research at Edinburgh Napier University regarding psychosocial interventions for trauma has pioneered management of mental health problems. We have developed and tested a number of individual, group and self-help interventions aimed at promoting recovery following psychological childhood and adulthood trauma. We have trained a large number of healthcare professionals on our interventions in the voluntary and statutory sectors. Our research has also informed policy regarding the management of psychological trauma. Self-help materials developed through our research are currently being used by health and social care workers in Scotland and abroad, making an impact on the wellbeing of survivors of trauma.

Submitting Institution

Edinburgh Napier University

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Public Health and Health Services
Psychology and Cognitive Sciences: Psychology

Promoting Sustainable Community Development

Summary of the impact

Communities have now become key measures of social need and welfare. Over the past 10 years Professor Mark Deakin's research has provided the means to turn around those communities previously deemed "unsustainable". This has been achieved by not only providing the means to tackle the inequalities of social exclusion and combat the culture of area-based deprivation, but by assembling the instruments (policy briefings, guidelines and decision support systems) that are needed for the value-adding and cost-saving measures of the urban regeneration programmes being promoted to succeed in meeting the welfare agenda which surrounds sustainable community development.

Submitting Institution

Edinburgh Napier University

Unit of Assessment

Architecture, Built Environment and Planning

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration, Sociology

Small-nation Publishing

Summary of the impact

Research into publishing at the Scottish Centre for the Book (SCOB) based at Edinburgh Napier University has examined the strategic development of publishing in Scotland and, in a significant expansion of this work, its nature within small nations and national regions. This established a new perspective for a field that had hitherto focussed on the UK or transnational, and fed into public policy and the operations of publishing companies within Scotland. SCOB, in partnership with public and private bodies, has raised awareness and understanding of the nature, role and value of publishing in Scotland among government, policy-makers and the public.

Submitting Institution

Edinburgh Napier University

Unit of Assessment

Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management 

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration
Language, Communication and Culture: Literary Studies

Standards for Taxonomic Classification of Biodiversity Data

Summary of the impact

At Edinburgh Napier University Professor Kennedy's research on modelling processes and results of biological classification has had, and continues to have, a major impact on the infrastructure for storing and exchanging biodiversity data worldwide. It led to the Taxonomic Concept Schema (TCS), a biodiversity data standard ratified by the International Biodiversity Standards Group (TDWG), now the basis of systems worldwide for referencing biodiversity data, including the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and the International Plant Names Index. The TCS fed into the design of the Darwin Core standard subsequently ratified by TDWG, and now the exchange format for data in the major biodiversity infrastructures globally.

Submitting Institution

Edinburgh Napier University

Unit of Assessment

Computer Science and Informatics

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Statistics
Information and Computing Sciences: Information Systems

Defining and sustaining healthy seas

Summary of the impact

Managing and conserving the marine environment requires defining what constitutes healthy ecosystems and understanding the effects of pollution. Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) research defining `undesirable disturbance' allowed the United Kingdom (UK) to mount a successful defence at the European Court of Justice in 2009 against alleged infraction of UK obligations under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. This saved UK taxpayers £6 billion in estimated additional costs. The European Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive uses a definition of good status for pelagic habitats derived from work at ENU, which benefits policy makers and marine stakeholders by facilitating the establishment of Marine Protected Areas.

Submitting Institution

Edinburgh Napier University

Unit of Assessment

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Oceanography
Environmental Sciences: Environmental Science and Management
Biological Sciences: Ecology

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