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The research team at Bucks New University has provided the groundwork for a number of applications to use cardiac power output as a novel functional measurement in the clinical evaluation of patients with heart failure and other related diseases. It involved validating the measure, assessing its reliability and applying it to a group of patients with end-stage heart failure. The success of this procedure is now evidenced by the number of national and international clinical centres adopting cardiac power output as a key functional measurement.
Dr Neil Brownsword's research focuses on the associated histories of ceramic manufacture in North Staffordshire, and its recent decline. Through his artistic practice, this research has been disseminated beyond academia to enhance public awareness of the social, cultural and economic effects of this downturn, on people, place and heritage. The impact of this research culturally, has arguably positioned Brownsword `at the forefront of current experimental and conceptual approaches to clay in Europe and Scandinavia' (Fielding 2008). In preparing programmes dealing with ceramic history, the BBC has presented Brownsword's expertise to communicate a broader public understanding of the region's post-industrial landscape.
The Advertising Communications Research Group (Adcoms) consists of 9 staff and research students including Paul Springer Senior Lecturer 2001-2005 Principal Lecturer 2005-2009, Professor 2009-present and Gloria Moss, Senior Lecturer 2006-2009, Reader 2009-2013 Professor 2013. Adcoms champions two fundamental issues: 1) digital formats require different approaches to mass communications; 2) gender bias is inherent in the creation and reception of designed digital communications. Outputs have impacted on: perspectives of communications (eg Springer, Ads to Icons, 2007; Moss, Gender, Design & Marketing, 2009; Springer, P & Carson, M. Pioneers of Digital, 2012); practice (e.g. Creative Campus Initiative branding, 2010; positioning of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, 2013); thought leadership (e.g. referenced by DCMS policy 2012; keynote addresses for ProMediaTech, UKTI/Moscow, 2009; the China Advertising Association, Guangzhou 2006; expert presentation at the Global Diversity and Inclusion Conference, Barcelona, 2013 (Moss).
Since 2009, research has been undertaken into strategies, practice and provision for active-ageing, specifically examining the mental and physical health and well-being benefits of group activities on culturally diverse older people. The main impact of this research has been the establishment of twelve Movers and Shakers groups. This has benefited approximately 500 older people. There are plans to establish four more groups in Buckinghamshire, including a group for people with learning disabilities. Outside of the County, interest in adoption of the model has been expressed by Hillingdon Borough Council and by a housing group operating in Hertfordshire.
Our research team has developed new approaches to classifying demand series as `intermittent' and `lumpy', and devised new variants of the standard Croston's method for intermittent demand forecasting, which improve forecast accuracy and stock performance. These approaches have impacted the forecasting software of Syncron and Manugistics, through the team's consultancy advice and knowledge transfer. Subsequently, this impact has extended to Syncron International and JDA Software, which took over Manugistics. These companies' forecasting software packages have a combined client base turnover of over £200 billion per annum, and their clients benefit from substantial inventory savings from the new approaches adopted.
Since the late 1990s, research has been undertaken into the theoretical and practical implications of nature-based physical activities and outdoor education. The research, which consisted of phenomenologically-informed case studies, has linked informal, non-formal and formal outdoor learning to consolidate understanding of the social, personal and environmental impacts. The impact has been significant in providing theoretical and practical foundations to inform practitioner work in youth based non-formal outdoor education in European countries. This has been achieved through the establishment of companies and a centre promoting outdoor education, and the production of practical Handbooks available to download.
The team has conducted research on environmentally friendly practices in furniture manufacturing for developing countries such as Bosnia, Ghana, Malaysia, Thailand, Romania and Vietnam in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and the European Union Erasmus Multilateral Projects programme. The developed practices were used to protect traditional skills in furniture-making crafts in areas affected by war, in the intensive labour furniture sector of tropical timber producing countries and in temperate countries. Such environmentally friendly practices have impacted on production and employment.
The body of research commences with the UK's first published assessment of accommodation and other (health, education etc) needs of Gypsies and Travellers (G/T) in accordance with the 2004 Housing Act. The research had a direct influence on Government policy making process, impacting the development of new data sets, statutory guidance on the content of assessments and demonstrating the viability of innovative collaborative research methodologies with nomadic/sedentary Gypsy-Traveller populations. The Fundamental Rights Agency and INVOLVE subsequently cited the research as `best practice' for research focussing on `hard to reach' communities.