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Research undertaken by the Geography Department impacted instrumentally on the Permanent Court of Arbitration's (PCA's) settlement of a unique and challenging territorial dispute in North-East Africa. Schofield's research and testimony assisted the Hague-based court in arriving at a judicial ruling on the territorial definition of a province (Abyei) long associated with conflict, establishing northern borders for the new state of Southern Sudan. Specifically, the PCA's Final Award of 22 July 2009 explicitly relied on Schofield's research-based evidence and testimony in court to interpret the boundary evolution process in its proper regional and historical context.
Geoforensics in the School of Geography, Archaeology & Palaeoecology (GAP) has developed three principal avenues of inquiry for improving the application of Earth Science research in criminal investigations: (a) development of strategies for the search and recovery of buried/submerged items; (b) advancing the use of spatial sampling systems at crime scenes; and (c) furthering the non-destructive testing of trace evidence. The impact of our research is advising law enforcement organisations worldwide on improved procedures for collecting evidence at crime scenes and directly working with such bodies in gathering, analysing and testing evidence during criminal investigations. Evidence has been presented as expert witnesses in court cases for defence and prosecution (e.g. environment agencies, police forces, law firms), and training has been provided to professional forensic scientists employed by various law enforcement bodies including the UK and Irish police, Colombian Forensic Laboratory, Australian Federal Police and US Army/FBI.
This case study focuses on the impact of a significant body of empirical, evidence-based research on managing electronic records (ERM) which involved global participation. The impact relates primarily to the behaviour change of information and records professionals in terms of their practice (e.g. strategic planning, service delivery, advice, and education), ways of thinking/decision-making, and their engagement with and/or conduct of research. It is both incremental and transformative in nature. The beneficiaries are practitioners in the UK and internationally. Specific examples are the Chief of Archives and Records Management, United Nations, and those receiving training in six countries.
A body of research on agricultural geography, with a strong regional focus on the Welsh Marches (the English counties bordering Wales), has led to changes in conservation policy and practice relating to rare breeds, primarily at the national level but also internationally; it has shaped farming policy at the regional level, particularly in Herefordshire, specifically leading to increased diversification in the farming sector across the county; and it has stimulated policy debate around the place of farming in society.
Building Information Management (BIM) involves the creation and use of digital information about built assets. Mandated by UK and other governments because of its potential to reduce waste and optimise efficiency, its successful exploitation requires changes in construction technology and process. This research has had a transformational impact on both. Our technical research forms the basis of the National Library of BIM objects, as well as technological solutions and product developments for many organisations. Our work with UK and overseas governments has shaped industry's uptake of BIM. We have founded a centre of excellence to introduce BIM to practitioners and organisations, and created a commercial joint-venture consultancy company.
University of Bath research has contributed to a lean, `build-to-order' (BTO) production strategy for the European automotive industry. The study of `intelligent logistics' and supply chain configurations led to recommendations for building new production systems that are helping to address significant industry problems: global overcapacity, rising stock levels and low profitability. The research findings have been widely shared with vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, industry trade associations and government bodies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers. The Bath research has had an impact on: the reduction of waste that is integral to the former `build to stock' production model; the development of an environmentally friendly manufacturing approach; improved profitability through the reduction of `inventory' (new cars losing value in large distribution parks); and on future innovation and growth challenges for the automotive industry. The research has influenced manufacturers and suppliers seeking to implement a more flexible automotive component supply chain across Europe.