Log in
The Scottish Centre for Enabling Technologies (SCET) operates as a core element of UWS's Knowledge Exchange Strategy. Formed in 2008 to redress the effects of increasing offshoring in the UK IT industry (high-valued jobs being sourced outside the UK), SCET has assisted over 175 companies with short-term project interventions in creative technologies (database, web and mobile applications) since its formation. SCET's activities have been evaluated, and economic impact has been shown to exceed £80m. Companies report increased investment in innovation by £4.6m, 200 new products or processes introduced, almost 500 new jobs created, 940 jobs safeguarded and 9 new companies formed.
The research reported here has provided `real world' insights into the nature of young people's urban life, their involvement in gang violence and sectarianism and the extent to and ways in which criminal justice sanctions and social interventions reduce social strain and build pro-social capital in their lives. The research has had a national and international influence on public debate about violent youth offending and on practice-based responses to the issue and has led to the further development of services by community-based agencies and police officers in Scotland who work with marginalised young people and young offenders.
The research of Professor Julien Baker, the Director of the Institute for Clinical Exercise and Health Science (ICEHS), in conjunction with prestigious partners such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), has impacted on a number of key issues related to drug abuse in sport. This research has been instrumental in leading to a greater international understanding of the full extent of the problems associated with anabolic steroid and growth hormone supply and use for sports performance enhancing purposes and also the associated physiological consequences of using these drugs. This research has played a significant role in informing the international debates around steroid use and abuse and shaping policies for the detection and prevention of steroid (ab)use.
Dr Fiona Henriquez's research into the debilitating eye infection Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) has significantly impacted on the handling of contact lenses and their cases to the benefit of the world's 125 million contact lens users. Her research findings have been ground-breaking for the research community and have featured widely in the media reaching audiences from scientists, industry professionals, the general public and individual contact lens users. The research has resulted in 2 patents and there are 3 non-disclosure agreements in place with companies relating to commercialisation projects. Related work on Acanthamoeba cysts has resulted in a fourth commercialisation project.
This case study focuses on Holocaust education in schools in Scotland. The research has shaped future United Nations programmes, influencing teaching pedagogy in Scotland and in the international community. Findings have contributed to the recognition of the positive value of school based Holocaust education as evidenced in Scotland by local authorities' provision of Continued Professional Development courses in teaching the Holocaust to teachers, and increasing numbers of schools commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day. Further, the research has contributed to the political debate on the value of school visits to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Holocaust Memorial and Museum, and educational debates on the contribution of Holocaust to Citizenship education.
An advanced plasma source based on novel engineering has been developed and proven in conjunction with Thin Film Solutions Ltd (TFSL). This source is retrofittable to existing electron- beam deposition systems and significantly improves the properties of thin films and advanced optical filters. TFSL has produced commercial products based on this source and has achieved sales to date of £2.3 million (letter from CEO of TFSL provided) as the new technology has been widely adopted in the optical filter industry.
Professor Andy Miah's research on the ethics of human enhancement has transformed the working lives of three principal professional communities: curators of UK flagship festivals and exhibitions (Abandon Normal Devices festival, the Wellcome Trust, Edinburgh International Science Festival); journalists (coverage on doping); and politicians and civil servants working on technology policy (European Parliament, World Anti-Doping Agency). His pioneering research has led to the creation of new artistic work, shaped policy directions, contributed to public engagement with bioethics, and advanced debate on the ethics of digital and biological technology.
Sandy Hobbs and Jim McKechnie have been researching the issue of young people's (i.e. under 16 years of age) involvement in employment: this is usually termed child labour or child employment. The goal of this research was to establish an evidence base regarding the nature and extent of child employment in the UK, and to consider the benefits and costs of this experience for young people. The impact of this research has been to raise the level of awareness of this issue within the UK, providing an evidence base that has been used by NGOs, and evaluating policy and practice for local and national government departments in the UK and the Isle of Man.
The Advanced Concrete and Masonry Centre (ACMC) at UWS was among the pioneers in development of practical self-compacting concrete (SCC) in Europe. As a lead partner, the group contributed to two large EU projects on SCC, which underpinned the European standards on SCC test methods.
The group's research has contributed to the steadily increasing use of SCC in general construction, which has brought many benefits, such as enhanced durability, improved productivity, reduced overall cost, improved working environment and sustainability. Given the massive quantities of concrete being used (>14 billion tonnes/year globally), the increased use of SCC has had important economic, societal and environmental impacts.
The ICTE Research Centre at UWS has transformed the way advanced technologies are used as tools within education and training, covering a range of sectors across Europe, and has contributed to policy formation, economic impact and benefits to society. Focussing on Web 2.0 technologies and specifically serious games, underpinning technologies have been applied to a range of educational disciplines at all levels of education and within organisations. External engagement has ranged from the level of individual teachers to the level of regional and national policy, and individual partner organisations have benefited economically from adopting and adapting these underpinning technologies.