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Professor Costas Grammenos' research at City University London changed the way traditional family shipping companies perceived the capital markets as a source of finance. Dissemination of his research to the international business community through international dialogue, debates and speeches has made a significant impact on the international shipping industry, in which several City alumni raised, or helped others to raise, funds from major global capital markets (e.g., New York, London). Up to 2000, only 25 shipping companies had raised finance from the US equity capital markets, with the number increasing to 56 for the period from 2000 to 2013.
For most jobs colour perception is not a key requirement but for some it can be a matter of life and death. The correct interpretation of air traffic landing lights, railway signals and electrical wiring is a safety-critical task for which good colour perception is vital. Research into the use of luminance contrast and colour signals in human vision led to a new Colour Assessment and Diagnosis (CAD) test that has changed colour assessment practices within many occupational environments. Within aviation, 35% of applicants with congenital colour deficiency are now allowed to become pilots and many who previously failed have passed after re-examination. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the National Air Traffic Services Control Centre (UK), the General Civil Aviation Authority (United Arab Emirates), the South African Civil Aviation Authority and others have implemented the CAD test as the only valid, final certification procedure in cases of congenital deficiency. Transport for London (TfL) now uses the technology to screen the vision of its 3,500 train drivers. Decisions regarding fitness for work based on colour vision in these occupations are now reliable and fair. The test also enables the early diagnosis of eye disease and is used in healthcare environments to identify the need for treatment at an early stage, improve patient outcomes, monitor progression of disease and monitor treatment effects in clinical use and drug trials.
Financial compensation by the UK courts for injuries or fatalities caused by the fault of another is provided as a lump sum that represents a revenue stream of lost future earnings over the claimant's lifetime. Calculating this revenue stream requires an assessment of potential future worklife activity. The Ogden Tables are recognised by the UK courts for this purpose. Research by City University London academics identified a new and more accurate approach to the calculation of compensation, focusing on the key factors of age, gender, employment state, educational attainment and prior disability. The Ogden Tables have incorporated these improved calculations and methods since the 6th Edition in 2007 (and they were retained in the current 7th Edition, published in 2011). The revised Tables were used in most court cases involving personal injury claims between 2008 and 2013 so this research has impacted on the judiciary and other legal professionals who advise claimants in compensation cases, the claimants who benefit from fairer levels of support to meet their needs, particularly where disability is involved and the families and carers of the claimants who also benefit from the support provided.
This case study describes the impact generated by Dr Paul Flaxman's research in the Department of Psychology at City University London. Flaxman has taken a prominent role in designing a psychological skills training programme that is based on recent developments in the field of psychotherapy. The training has been adopted and utilised by a range of organisations, including Northumbria Healthcare Trust; Central Manchester Foundation Trust; Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust; and the South London and Maudsley Mental Health Trust. Other beneficiaries include the City and Hackney branch of Mind (the mental health charity) and nurse training providers at Middlesex University. International reach is evidenced by the adoption of the training for supporting psychiatric nurses working in Uganda. Data collected from over 600 British employees indicate that the training leads to significant and sustained improvements in people's mental health. The training has been shown to be particularly beneficial for employees experiencing a common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression.
Through engagement by Ministerial invitation as a member of successive UK Government advisory groups on Country Information (IAGCI) from 2007 to 2013 and based on expertise arising from research conducted at City University London, Dr Christopher McDowell has contributed to the acknowledged improvement in the quality of asylum decision-making. He has guided the UK Home Office Country of Origin Information Services (COIS) in developing academically-rigorous research and review procedures. The adopted methodology based on his research has contributed to the generation of more accurate, up to date and fully referenced human rights information that forms the basis of the legal determination of asylum and human rights claims. The United Nations, the UK's Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency and the British Red Cross agree that as a result of the work of the IAGCI the UK now has the most accountable and robust Country Information system in the EU, achieving fairer decisions and providing a model which is likely to be replicated across EU member states.
In recognition of his expertise on the socio-economic and cultural dimensions of involuntary resettlement occurring as a result of infrastructure development projects and land acquisition, Dr McDowell has also led or participated in several international evaluations of shelter and resettlement operations; and made recommendations for improvement in policy and practice. This includes his engagement as an International Resettlement Specialist by the Inspection Panel (IP) of The World Bank to investigate the social and resettlement aspects of a highly-controversial, multimillion dollar landfill project in Accra, Ghana. As a result of this engagement, The World Bank, accepting the IP's findings that both the pre-construction impact studies and community consultations with residents were insufficient, froze the project loan, enabling time for full consultations and impact assessments. The investigation resulted in an important new World Bank requirement that comprehensive Zone of Impact Assessments are undertaken in all future projects as part of loan preparations.
(1) European Commission officials and humanitarian aid agency representatives based their discussion of European Union (EU) and humanitarian policy options in Syria and their ultimate recommendations to United Nations officials in Geneva on the findings of a policy options paper prepared by Professor Rosemary Hollis of City University London. In addition, senior UK military planners incorporated Hollis's findings in contingency planning in April 2012 and April 2013 following her invited participation in brainstorming sessions.
(2) Hollis's research findings expanded UK-Turkish dialogue and contributed to the success of a key forum (Tatlidil, Istanbul, October 2012) aimed at deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.
(3) The 2013 Foreign Policy Report of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) on the `Balance of Competences' between the UK and the EU was substantiated with evidence from her research.
(4) Her research informed and shaped media coverage and civil society debate about Arab uprisings during the period 2009-2012.
Research undertaken by Professor John Holden of City University London on cultural diplomacy and cultural value has had a direct impact on cultural policy-makers both nationally and internationally. In the UK it has impacted specifically on the funding of cultural diplomacy activity and the operations of Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Internationally advice has been sought by politicians and cultural administrators around the world including the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Culture in New Zealand, Alberta's Minister of Culture and the Chairs of the main cultural organisations in Hong Kong. Through this, Holden has: (i) provided expert advice to governmental, third sector and private organisations in relation to cultural policy; (ii) influenced directly the thinking of senior government ministers in relation to arts and culture; (iii) proposed new ways of thinking about the methods and mechanisms by which culture and creative practice are supported through the distribution of public funds; (iv) contributed to the enhancement of frameworks supporting the creative industries, which in turn has aided economic prosperity for a range of individuals and organisations; and (v) helped creative industry professionals and those who support them to adapt to changing cultural values.
Research by Professor Les Mayhew and Professor Ben Rickayzen at City University London on the question of how the public sector and the private market might jointly establish a better way of funding long-term care for the elderly has influenced policy thinking and development within the Treasury, the Department of Health, the Dilnot Commission, the actuarial profession and among ministers and parliamentarians. Evidence is provided here that shows that their research on population ageing has had an impact at the highest levels in Whitehall. In addition, Mayhew's work on integrated health and social care for Brent Council has helped to transform services at local level and provides a model that could be replicated more widely.
Research in the Centre for Software Reliability (CSR) at City University London has made significant advances in ways to assess the safety and reliability of safety-critical, fault-tolerant software-based systems. This work supports quantitative safety cases and has influenced practice and regulation in UK and international industries. [text removed for publication] The work has had significant benefit for regulators and licensees of UK nuclear plant, has been recognised in the US nuclear industry and is additionally of benefit to the general public, in ensuring not only that reasoning about the safety of nuclear plant is rigorous and valid, but also that it is seen to be so in order that safety claims are widely and justifiably believed.
Software has been developed by City University London in cooperation with Rolls-Royce that exploits the strengths of Bayesian statistics in improving the design of aircraft engines. The software, `4Cast', allows engineers to elicit design characteristics that in turn allow the design to be modelled relative to reliability targets. The targets are determined by failure rates. This enables better evaluation of design choices and of the risk of faults and failures in engines and supports rapid decisions as to whether a proposed design meets requirements.
By using 4Cast to enumerate reliability, Rolls-Royce has been able to determine confidence in asset management and in project management policies. 4Cast also supports Rolls-Royce's programme to reduce the so-called `Disruption Index', a measure of the cost of supporting an engine.
The software has had a significant impact on the business performance and consequent economic achievement of Rolls-Royce, a global company supporting civil and defence aerospace, marine and energy markets worldwide.