Summary of the impact

In 2009, the bicentenary of the death of Matthew Boulton, Birmingham entrepreneur and industrialist, was marked by a number of notable public events including an international conference and a series of exhibitions. Research undertaken at the University of Birmingham provided a knowledge foundation for a number of these events, and academic staff were involved in their production. Key examples of impact in the period are:

1. Supporting and influencing the working practices of heritage professionals through engagement with partner institutions: these include Birmingham Museums Trust, Birmingham History Galleries, The Birmingham Assay Office.
2. Contributing to a public understanding of the transformative role played by science and technology as exemplified in Birmingham's industrial history: via exhibitions, public events, lectures and popular publications.
3. Influencing curriculum design and provision of educational resources for teachers and children: Council of Europe's `Shared Histories for a Europe without Dividing Lines' project.
4. Contributing to the commemoration of Boulton: establishment of a permanent monument in Westminster Abbey.

These activities have promoted awareness of the importance of the regional Industrial Enlightenment within current civic, national and international heritage and educational agendas.

Summary of the impact

Research by Carl Chinn, MBE at the University of Birmingham has contributed to a better public understanding of community relations (past and present) within the Birmingham area, particularly for smaller and formerly marginalised communities. Chinn has also produced a wealth of new, accessible historical data, both directly (through the online and freely available BirminghamLives Archive) and indirectly through stimulating local public interest in local history and encouraging and supporting publication of personal histories, websites and archives which are freely available to the public. Chinn's research and commitment to public engagement have also had an impact on the delivery and design of local school curricula and acted to highlight the opportunity of higher education to pupils. Chinn's research also acts to preserve and present the cultural heritage of the Birmingham area and contributes to the process of memorialisation and reconciliation for all of its people.

Summary of the impact

Ysanne Holt was Academic Advisor and Commissioning Editor for Tate's Camden Town Group in Context project, funded through the Getty Foundation's Online Scholarly Catalogue Initiative which aims to transform how museums disseminate information about their collections. Holt undertook and commissioned new research into the Group's artworks and their broader contexts. Impacts derived from the project's online catalogue include increased awareness for national and international public and specialists; and improved access to the art and its contexts via a multi-platform open access facility. In addition, the project has influenced the Tate's Digital Strategy and led to the creation of the new post of Digital Editor within Tate's Research Department.

Summary of the impact

Work undertaken by the Centre for Transnational Art, Identity and Nation (TrAIN) at the University of the Arts London (UAL) focuses on the role of identity and nation in the production and consumption of artwork and artefacts. This has resulted in an increased awareness and critical understanding of transnational art and design, to the benefit of the Museums and Galleries sector, arts organisations, and the artistic community.