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Pioneering geophysical prospecting to enhance sustainable approaches to the detection of the buried past

Summary of the impact

Bradford's pioneering research into geophysical prospecting has significantly changed the approach to heritage management in the UK and internationally. Our research has influenced the development of commercial survey instruments in this field as well as changing industry guidance/practice. The changes include increased use of more sustainable, non-invasive methods for archaeological investigation and the gathering of richer data about the buried past. Our guidelines for legacy archaeological data have created standards in the archiving of this valuable information resource for public re-use. The group's involvement with Time Team has enhanced public awareness of geophysical prospecting which is demonstrated in the increased use of these techniques by community groups.

Submitting Institution

University of Bradford

Unit of Assessment

Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Geophysics
Information and Computing Sciences: Data Format
History and Archaeology: Archaeology

Revolutionising schools and public engagement with cosmology, relativity and gravitational-wave astronomy

Summary of the impact

University of Glasgow researchers have played a pivotal role in enhancing awareness and understanding of cosmology, relativity and gravitational-wave astronomy on the national and international stage.

  • The 'Astronomy's New Messengers' public exhibition on gravitational-wave astronomy has been displayed at international events that have attracted a total audience exceeding a million people. A survey conducted at the World Science Festival 2010 indicated that 89% of visitors found the exhibition had increased their interest in science.
  • The University of Glasgow has had a crucial influence on the redesign of the Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher Physics syllabus to include significant content on cosmology, relativity and gravitational astrophysics. In 2012 the revised Higher Physics pass rate was approximately 4% greater than that for the non-revised Higher, demonstrating significant impact in terms of pupil engagement and results.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Physics

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Physical Sciences: Astronomical and Space Sciences, Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics, Other Physical Sciences

Fossils with “Outstanding Universal Value”, and public engagement with the history of life

Summary of the impact

Leicester's world-leading research into exceptionally well preserved fossils has crucially underpinned the successful establishment of a new UNESCO World Heritage Site in China. The Chengjiang Fossil Site in Yunnan Province is officially recognised by UNESCO as having "Outstanding Universal Value", containing fossils of soft-bodied sea-life dating from 530 million years ago. The fossils occur in a region where the minerals industry is a key economic driver: granting of World Heritage Site (WHS) status has removed the threat of encroaching commercial mining activities, secured conservation of the site, and paved the way for further sustainable, non-invasive tourism. The same research serves as a vehicle for raising awareness about the evolution of life, the history of biodiversity and the importance of `blue skies' research in the UK.

Submitting Institution

University of Leicester

Unit of Assessment

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Geology
Environmental Sciences: Environmental Science and Management
Biological Sciences: Evolutionary Biology

Impact on management and monitoring for authorised discharges, accidental radionuclide releases and planned disposals of radioactive waste

Summary of the impact

UK and international government departments, agencies and the nuclear industry have benefitted from improved understanding of environmental radioactivity and the development of novel, in situ gamma spectroscopy by researchers at the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC, University of Glasgow). The provision of advice and novel data has helped to develop management, monitoring, regulation and human dose assessments for authorised and accidental releases of radionuclides, and to build plans for geological disposal facilities for high and intermediate level radioactive waste.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Physical Sciences: Other Physical Sciences
Chemical Sciences: Analytical Chemistry
Engineering: Geomatic Engineering

Protecting Maritime and Coastal Heritage at home and overseas

Summary of the impact

A programme of research conducted by The Centre for Maritime Archaeology (CMA) at the University of Southampton has influenced, at a national and international scale, the management and protection of underwater and coastal heritage. The research has directly influenced public policy, nationally through the English Heritage Maritime and Marine Historic Environment Research Agenda, and internationally by underpinning primary legislation and current practice in Uruguay. Capacity building has resulted in new educational infrastructure, the Centre for Maritime Archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage (CMAUCH) in Alexandria, Egypt, which has changed attitudes towards maritime heritage throughout the region.

Submitting Institution

University of Southampton

Unit of Assessment

Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Built Environment and Design: Architecture
Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration
History and Archaeology: Archaeology

C3 - Applications of Bayesian methods in finance, credit scoring and target tracking

Summary of the impact

In recent years there has been an explosion of real data from areas as diverse as bioinformatics, genetics, engineering and finance. Coupled with this has been the development of complex and realistic Bayesian statistical models to represent these data. In order to use these models to perform (Bayesian) statistical inference, one is required to calculate integrals, which are unknown analytically. Most of the numerical methods used to approximate these integrals are based upon Monte Carlo methods of which some of the seminal work has been done at Imperial College London, for instance the `particle-filter' developed in 1993 [4]. These methods are now very widely used in finance for automated trading, calculating the probability of default for economies, and for target tracking in the defence sector and we give explicit exemplars of each. The numerical methods developed at Imperial have been important in applying realistic models to these varied application areas and have impacted companies and organisations as diverse as Maple-Leaf Capital LLC, QinetiQ and the Credit Research Initiative.

Submitting Institution

Imperial College London

Unit of Assessment

Mathematical Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Statistics

Systems thinking in the public and private sectors: applications of methodological innovation in Australia and New Zealand

Summary of the impact

Hull-based research on critical systems thinking has been used for public, private and community benefit in Australasia, due to pivotal partnerships with the International Centre for Complex Project Management in Australia and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) in New Zealand. Benefits include: the reconciliation of economic and environmental imperatives in NZ water management, valued at NZ$1.7bn of economic growth; NZ$6.2m for ESR projects serving government clients; improved stakeholder consultation on NZ science investments; the development of new systems thinking capacity in the Victoria Department of Primary Industries (Australia); and 5% cost savings in key Australian defence procurements.

Submitting Institution

University of Hull

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration, Political Science, Sociology

Old Scatness: the past providing a sustainable future

Summary of the impact

The University of Bradford's internationally renowned research in North Atlantic archaeology at Old Scatness, Shetland has provided a sustainable legacy for the region, enhancing awareness of Shetland's past. This innovative heritage project is a partnership between the University and the Shetland Amenity Trust and has been critical to new developments in heritage presentation on the islands. The heritage project at Old Scatness pioneered a blend of site preservation and reconstructed buildings combined with an interpretive approach that provides visitors with a stimulating and interactive experience. The consideration of what was a hitherto unknown archaeological area as a World Heritage Site demonstrates the international significance of the research and its impact.

Submitting Institution

University of Bradford

Unit of Assessment

Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Geology
History and Archaeology: Archaeology

Three spin-out companies built on platform Lab-on-a-chip technologies deliver diagnostic tools for infection and disease

Summary of the impact

Fifteen years of research in advanced Lab-on-a-Chip technologies at the University of Glasgow has led to three spin-out companies: Mode-Dx, Clyde Biosciences and SAW-Dx. Since 2008 these companies have developed a range of products and services for the diagnostic screening of chronic diseases, for the detection of acute infections and for improving the drug discovery process. The three companies have secured a total of £2.3M in venture funding and secured key strategic collaborations with stakeholders including industry partners and the NHS.

Submitting Institution

University of Glasgow

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Physical Sciences: Other Physical Sciences
Chemical Sciences: Analytical Chemistry

Accurately dating the past – OxCal: free software for the calibration of radiocarbon dates

Summary of the impact

OxCal is the most popular software package world-wide for calibrating and analysing dates within the carbon dating process, enabling the accurate dating of objects from the past. The brainchild of Prof. Christopher Bronk Ramsey, Director of the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU), OxCal is based on chronologies refined by the use of Bayesian statistical methods, and provides users with access to high-quality calibration of chronological data, now the basis for global chronologies. It is available online and free to download, and has played a highly significant role in establishing the ORAU as one of the pre-eminent international radiocarbon dating facilities. Funded by the NERC, and used widely within professional archaeology as well as other disciplines, OxCal has also played a key role in research projects (within Oxford and beyond) brought to the attention of the general public by the media.

Submitting Institution

University of Oxford

Unit of Assessment

Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Statistics
Earth Sciences: Geology
History and Archaeology: Archaeology

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