Submitting Institution: Derby (University of)

REF impact found 21 Case Studies

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Enterprise Case Study

Summary of the impact

This case study focuses upon enterprise and enterprise education. It describes the impact of intellectual endeavours in this area, mainly surrounding the production of a framework to foster entrepreneurial behaviour, and the emergence of an enterprise support approach that continues to support entrepreneurs.

Impact includes:

  • Informing the approach taken by enterprise initiatives toward enterprise development, and challenging existing practice on enterprise education (particularly using findings around learning process, active learning and cohort-based enterprise education);
  • Increased enterprise start-up rates and sustainability of start-ups through enhanced enterprise activity and initiatives secured as a result of the research profile gained (also indirectly contributing towards economic sustainability);
  • Development of resources (both HE and practitioner) which took a new approach to enterprise education, based on the underpinning research;
  • Policy implications locally and regionally.

Submitting Institution

University of Derby

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Education: Specialist Studies In Education
Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services: Business and Management

International Career Guidance Policy

Summary of the impact

The International Centre for Guidance Studies (iCeGS) specialises in careers education and guidance. Across different national jurisdictions, government engagement with, and support for, career guidance has varied considerably. iCeGS has a track record of engagement and influence on the development of policy in the UK and overseas. Major areas of influence can be summarised as follows:

1) development and systemisation of the evidence base around career guidance;

2) re-orientation of career guidance paradigms around learning and career management skills models;

3) development of innovative new models of delivery involving new technologies;

4) analysis and development of career guidance policy frameworks.

Submitting Institution

University of Derby

Unit of Assessment

Education

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Education: Specialist Studies In Education
Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration

Architectural Surfaces

Summary of the impact

The underpinning research was rooted in surface patterning technologies of the textiles industry — from traditional precepts of structuring seamless repeats to the deployment and hybridisation of advanced digital imaging processes to create control data for output devices — from looms to lasers.

The research investigated digital methods for the realisation of high-definition relief formliners for precast and glass reinforced concrete. Bespoke methods were later translated to develop workable low relief moulds.

This research built on earlier investigative research in 2009 into a method for the digital realisation of the high definition photorealistic form liners.

Submitting Institution

University of Derby

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Civil Engineering
Built Environment and Design: Architecture, Design Practice and Management

Defending the Subject

Summary of the impact

A unique insight in The Dangerous Rise of Therapeutic Education (2008), and developed through an ESRC Seminar Series, is that a therapeutic ethos in education is creating a diminished human subject through a `dual attack' on the human subject as a knowing subject and the subject-based curriculum.

A conscious public defence of the subject-based curriculum was then undertaken through seminars, debates and conferences involving think tanks, charities and union organisations. The appointment of Professor Dennis Hayes to the London Mayoral Education Inquiry (2012) was one consequence. The Inquiry resulted in funding of £24.5 million for the London Schools Excellence Fund.

Submitting Institution

University of Derby

Unit of Assessment

Education

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Public Health and Health Services
Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy, Specialist Studies In Education

Engine Test Bed Experimental Data Modelling and Optimisation

Summary of the impact

This research project, carried out at the University of Derby, was used to develop an engine performance monitoring system and a data optimisation method for engine management systems for Land Rover. The project delivered two pieces of software developed for data modelling and optimisation with respect to the engine test bed. This has significantly reduced the engine test time on the test bed by up to 30%, reduced the cost of each engine test and provided optimum engine operation parameters to the Engine Control Unit (ECU), which has resulted in lower emissions and improved fuel economy. The project was started in 2000 and completed in 2008. However the outcomes of the research and developed software tools are still used by the Land Rover engine test group.

Submitting Institution

University of Derby

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Statistics
Engineering: Mechanical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering

Impact of research into Pliocene climate

Summary of the impact

1) Influence on research figuring in the present Assessment Report (AR5) of the IPCC

2) Influence on public understanding of climate change

Submitting Institution

University of Derby

Unit of Assessment

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Oceanography, Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
Biological Sciences: Ecology

Improved Spatial Audio from Ambisonic Surround Sound Software

Summary of the impact

The reduction of spatial variation in the quality of reproduced sound within a defined space using varied loudspeaker placements is a significant challenge for sound engineers. Dr Bruce Wiggins has conducted research into encoding, decoding and processing algorithms using Ambisonics, a system based around full-sphere sound reproduction. The outcomes of the research have been made accessible to the wider community by the creation of a suite of software plug-ins (WigWare), a production workflow, and associated teaching materials which can enable commercial audio workstations to benefit from Ambisonics. There are numerous recorded instances of successful use.

Submitting Institution

University of Derby

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Information Systems
Engineering: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Cancer Treatment

Summary of the impact

Collaborative research conducted by the Biological Sciences Research Group (BSRG) has brought considerable benefits for the treatment of cancer patients. Experimental research has shown that the shelf-life of the biological cancer drug Herceptin can be greatly extended thereby bringing significant economic benefit through cost savings. A clinical trial has demonstrated that yoga benefits the health and well-being of patients with gynaecological cancer leading to prospects of improved cancer survivorship. Sowter provides research-informed oncology training for NHS clinical trials staff throughout the National Institute of Cancer Research UK network (NCRN), and has supervised two senior registrars through their MD qualifications.

Submitting Institution

University of Derby

Unit of Assessment

Biological Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences, Oncology and Carcinogenesis, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Investigative interviews with suspects of crime

Summary of the impact

Both the introduction of legislation in England and Wales and the mandatory recording of interviews with criminal suspects has led to an increased examination and understanding of what happens in such interviews. Such studies have led to a prescribed framework, which following its implementation, has led to further study concerning its efficacy in gathering a reliable account. This case study, demonstrates how (through dissemination of the research and through working with practitioners) particular research findings concerning approaches to the investigative interviewing of suspects have influenced the practices of those users of the research both in this country and overseas.

Submitting Institution

University of Derby

Unit of Assessment

Law

Summary Impact Type

Legal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Criminology

Knowledge Management Case Study

Summary of the impact

This case study focuses upon research surrounding knowledge management (KM) practice and implementation (organisational change). The case study utilises research and impact from the Systems Thinking and Organisational Change Research Group (SYTOC), which existed in Derby Business School between 2007 and 2012.

Impact included enhanced business process and practice for many organisations through the significant dissemination of the research. The core group of SYTOC includes Longbottom, Dexter, Marshall and Seddon, visiting professor and a leading authority on change in the public sector.

Submitting Institution

University of Derby

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services: Business and Management
Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration

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