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Dr Alexandros Paraskevas has demonstrated the benefits of implementing academic research and `scientific rigour' into global business practices. His conceptual approach to risk and crisis management has become highly acclaimed within the hospitality industry and has strengthened practices in a turbulent business environment. His research pioneered an effective partnership between the Oxford School of Hospitality Management and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), resulting in the Group developing new risk management practices, enhancing its effectiveness in managing risks, saving costs and gaining worldwide recognition as industry leader in the field. These practices are continuously shared with the broader H&T industry through appropriate fora and dissemination platforms.
Dr Lister's pioneering research into people's perceptions of safety in relation to anti-terrorism measures has significantly shaped and informed public and political debate in this complex and controversial area. Lister has co-authored submissions to the Home Office, provided a policy briefing to the National Assembly for Wales, hosted a workshop with representatives from `think tanks' and government departments. Additionally, he has engaged with a variety of civil society/advocacy groups and published commentary (including by invitation) on this area of public policy. Lister has highlighted the negative experiences of a range of ethnic minority citizens, as well as demonstrating the merits of using evidence based research in a highly political and sensitive arena.
Pioneering new immunoassays for inhibin A and B, developed by Professor Nigel Groome at Oxford Brookes University, have contributed to a significant improvement in the accuracy of pre- natal screening for Downs Syndrome. Use of inhibin A in the `Quad' and `integrated' tests, protected by international patents, is widespread in the US (c.3million screened annually) and was recommended by the NHS in 2010, leading to a significant increase in the use of the assays (c.120,000 annually) in the UK. They are also used in clinical diagnostic and monitoring applications for male and female infertility, abnormalities in sexual development in children and ovarian granulosa tumours. Commercialisation has led to royalty income to Brookes from sales which totalled approximately c.£5million in the period January 2008 to December 2012, indicative of the c.US$135million earned in worldwide sales in the same period.
Harris, Burgess, Bunce, Mansbridge and King have identified critical facilitators and barriers to widespread daily EV use through their industry-led, problem-based research into drivers' real-world long-term experiences with electric vehicles (EV). Their findings have had impact in 3 distinct areas. First, their work has been used by the UK Government to construct policy to support integration of EVs into the national fleet, as well as informing realistic expectations of successful integration. Second, their work directly influenced development of EVs, accelerated their route to market, and has resulted in specialised support for EV drivers and their vehicles. Third, their work has informed energy suppliers of the support required for drivers to charge their vehicles both at home and also away from home as part of a wider public charging infrastructure.
Professor David Nash defines blasphemy as the `attacking, wounding and damaging of religious beliefs'. His research into the history of blasphemy has been widely consulted and has highlighted the significant importance of the subject in the contemporary world. This has led to the re- examining of the law and arguments for repeal. He has been pro-actively involved in the debate about blasphemy repeal in England for some time prior to 2008 and also as an active consultant in the Irish Republic, advising NGO's and speaking on their behalf to members of Parliament, international bodies after this date. He also liaised with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and was nominated to sit on the Irish Government's constitutional convention to consider the matter.
The Oxford Brookes Poetry Centre has, since its inception, been a focus for original research, community engagement and external collaborations. This relationship between research and outreach activities has resulted in significant cultural, educational and economic benefits. Work with refugees has empowered the individuals involved and contributed to social inclusion debates, tackling social and economic issues in creative forms. Children from underprivileged educational and economic backgrounds have had poetry made accessible to them through the establishment of the Oxford City Poet, encouraging their own creative writing and re-inspiring teachers. These projects have directly improved the cultural and creative life of Oxford and given a voice to those who would have been otherwise unheard.
Woodhouse's research has conceptual and instrumental impact in the UK and internationally. Instrumentally, her research has provided the basis for recommendations on accountability made by political groups, such as parliamentary committees. These relate to the mechanisms by which accountability is secured and to the constitutional relationships between Parliament and the executive, ministers and their civil servants, and MPs and their constituents. Conceptually, this impact concerns the debate by political actors on political accountability, whether of individual Members of Parliament for the standards to which they adhere or individual Ministers for their responsibilities within and outside their departments.
Professor Gupta, an internationally recognised expert on architecture and climate change, has developed an innovative software model for carbon counting (DECoRuM® model) and climate change adaptation (DECoRuM® adapt) of existing housing. The combination of Geographic Information System techniques, energy efficiency and climate change adaptation measures has enabled DECoRuM® model to provide a range of environmental, public policy and practice benefits to homeowners, communities, local authorities and architects. These benefits have been realised through refined global common carbon metrics promoted by UNEP, BSI standard and industry guidance, as well as achievement of real energy and CO2 emission reductions from low carbon refurbishment, leading to improved building energy performance.
Research by Oxford Brookes University identified that teaching for inclusive challenge in primary science lessons, with an emphasis on classroom discussions, practical work and conceptual challenge, increased pupils' enthusiasm for science and also their attainment in the subject. Led by Helen Wilson, David Coates and Jenny Mant, research insights have been used to produce evidence-based professional development for primary school teachers. This has been delivered to thousands of teachers, through training events and programmes, through a dedicated website, and through training led by Local Authority advisors who have chosen to disseminate our materials. The impact on the teachers' practice has been to encourage pupils' higher order thinking in science lessons through an emphasis on questioning, discussion and practical scientific enquiry. The ultimate impact has therefore been on the learning experiences of school pupils.
Research by Manfredi (Business) and Vickers (Law) has informed the development of equality policy and practice for to the management of human resources in Higher Education, both nationally and internationally. Work on the implementation of the public sector equality duty has been instrumental in developing the equality policy of HEFCE and the equality framework of the REF 2014. Research on the implications for the management of human resources of the abolition of mandatory retirement has generated knowledge which has demonstrably influenced organisational policy development on age equality and retirement. This has been widely applied in personnel training initiatives, legal briefings and used to develop good practice guidance for employers.