Log in
Until the Centre for Media and Culture in Small Nations was established in 2006, there was no coherent, multidisciplinary programme of research examining the creative industries through the distinct framework of small nations, including Wales. By drawing together researchers from diverse arts and media disciplines, the Centre has provided a thorough analysis of the creative industries in Wales and informed public debate on their artistic, social and economic contribution to the nation's civic life. Our original research has delivered new insights for organisations, and their users, including BBC Wales, National Theatre Wales, the Welsh Music Foundation and community radio.
The key recommendations of the `hybrid model' of the Justice System in Afghanistan, developed by Dr Wardak, were written into draft Afghanistan law under the title, `The Law on Dispute Resolution, Shuras and Jirgas', by the Ministry of Justice. The ideas derived from Wardak's new model were piloted in different parts of Afghanistan by the United States Institute of Peace, by USAID, TLO and CPAU. Preliminary results of pilot studies, in selected districts in Afghanistan, indicate that the hybrid model provides workable solutions to many of the problems that Afghan state and non-state justice systems currently face.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong condition, but has almost never been examined in adults over the age of forty years. Following an earlier bid for funding to examine this issue, Prof. Stuart-Hamilton was commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Govt (WAG) via the charity Autism Cymru to conduct a quantitative survey of problems faced by older adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A companion qualitative survey, involving interviews with a small sample, was conducted by colleagues at Bangor University. A formal report (consisting of Prof Stuart-Hamilton's and Bangor's findings) and a refereed paper (solely of Stuart-Hamilton's findings) have been published, predating other studies in this field that have since begun to appear in the UK and internationally. The report was formally adopted by WAG, leading to a national awareness-raising publication campaign and presentation of the report as part of WAG's ongoing strategy. Integration of the report's recommendations into government policy is anticipated when the ASD policy is revised in early 2014.
Brookman's research has produced new insights into the nature and circumstances of homicide and homicide investigation. The first four pages on the Murder Investigation Manual, commonly viewed as the definitive guide on homicide investigation in Britain, are based on Brookman's research on the characteristics of homicide. The directives of the International Association of Chiefs of Police based in the United States (US) devote one or their top ten directives to Brookman's proposals on broadening outcome assessments. The Prince George's County Police Department in the US is currently considering implementing Brookman's proposals to include Family Liaison Officers as part of their process of homicide investigation.
Between 1994 and 2000 Prof. Derek Smith developed algorithms that in the last 10 years have been incorporated into major communication systems used throughout the British Armed Forces. Previous systems were unable to reliably deal with the huge volume of data provided by modern intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, particularly suffering from interference between users. Since 2004, alternative systems (Bowman and Falcon) overcoming these deficiencies have been rolled out. Approximately 50000 radio sets using this technology have been manufactured and fitted to 15000 military vehicles, including the entire Royal Navy fleet and 75000 people required training in its use.
The Genomics Policy Unit (GPU) has led on research into genetics and health since 1996, and has made a significant contribution to this field at both a national and international level. As one of the first Research Units in the UK to focus on the preparedness of the public and healthcare professionals for the `new genetics', we recognised how genetic advances would radically alter how we understand health and disease. The impact of our research has been to show audiences who would not typically engage with genetics, what new opportunities are being offered to improve human health and the social and ethical issues that surround these.
The GPU was an early pioneer of new, interactive research methods, such as Citizens' Juries, to help ordinary people make their views known to policy makers. By 2003 we were engaging nurses and midwives with genetics by supporting them in developing competent practice, setting a benchmark that has influenced competency development programmes for nurses in the UK, Europe and the US. This is important because advances in genetics mean it is moving out of its specialist sphere into wider clinical practice and broader society. This case study describes the two strands of our work — professional and public engagement — and illustrates the significant impact that exposure to genetics has had on ordinary members of the public when they are given the opportunity to acquire genetic literacy and on the nursing profession by contributing to policy and education in this field.
The University of South Wales, through their Welsh Enterprise Institute (including Global Entrepreneurship Monitor) has developed a long and impressive history of Entrepreneurship research. It was because of this record of producing high impact research work that the Federation of Small Business (FSB) survey was awarded and conducted in 2008. The survey examined the barriers to growth of small firms from a wide range of economic and managerial perspectives. The impact of the survey generated numerous policy documents, as well as academic research outputs.
The Vascular Health Group led by Bailey has achieved international impact by transforming our understanding of the source, mechanisms and consequences of free radical formation in the ageing human. The development of novel biomarkers of health and well-being has challenged conventional wisdom, informed public policy and debate and raised public awareness to the vascular benefits of physical activity. These advances have improved health and welfare outcomes of the elderly including those suffering from advanced atheroslcerotic disease. Applied research focused on the pro-oxidant stimulus hypoxia, has led to improvements in the management of high-altitude illness amongst both mountaineers and native communities.
When Hand and Wilson commenced research into Grand-Guignol in the late 1990s, it was a neglected topic in academic studies and a largely forgotten or misunderstood form in both theatrical circles and the popular imagination. Hand and Wilson have unraveled the myths surrounding the Grand-Guignol to explain in unprecedented depth this unique phenomenon in popular theatre and horror culture. Hand and Wilson have had a major role in the renaissance of the form in academia and also in the professional theatre and media. Their research has enjoyed extensive media coverage and the plays the authors have published have been performed internationally.
This case study is an example of the impact of the ERC, which specialises in furnace and utility boiler modelling and monitoring through research in collaboration with European Industrial partners. Modelling work primarily based around the zone method and physical acid-alkali modelling has led to significant NOx reductions (50%+) for the glass melting process and this work is currently being demonstrated on the furnaces of Owens Illinois and SiseCam. The monitoring work has demonstrated that by monitoring spectral information from individual flames it is possible to reduce NOx emissions from utility power station burners by as much as 40%.