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This case study highlights the impact derived from research undertaken into the history and contemporary possibilities of new visual media technologies, and is focused on the work of two cultural theorists in the Department, Dr David Cunningham and Dr Sas Mays. Their engagements with visual-technological cultures showcase the impact of their work on various public audiences, artistic and media practitioners and heritage organisations in creating access to new cultural knowledge for non-academic users. Mays's research has informed practice in the worlds of contemporary art and visual media heritage. Cunningham's research has generated public understanding of the visual culture of the modern metropolis, and, more directly, innovation and entrepreneurial activities within the new media production industry.
A sustained joint research partnership with Biocompatibles UK Ltd has stimulated innovation underpinning the company's product development pipeline. Products include a family of soft contact lenses, enhanced medical device coatings, and novel treatments for liver cancer. Innovative enhancements, such as the unique non-biofouling nature of the company's ocular and cardiovascular devices and the practical utility of its drug eluting therapies for targeting liver malignancies, have delivered improved clinical performance and differentiated these products from those of competitors in the same markets. The company's continuing success in developing innovative medical technology products was recognised by the sale of Biocompatibles UK for £177m in 2011.
Our research led to the creation of Football4Peace (F4P), which is a vehicle for conflict resolution and peace building in divided societies. By challenging cultural prejudice F4P has transformed passive citizens into active ambassadors for peace. More than 8,000 children, 595 coaches and many community leaders have participated in F4P projects during the census period, generating political discourse in the community and in governments up to ministerial level. Innovative community relations research in the context of Northern Ireland's peace process led to the development of the F4P initiative. Subsequently it changed the policies of sporting organisations in Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Ireland, South Africa and South Korea.
Through digital cultural heritage research the Brighton-led EPOCH project changed professional practice in the museums sector and shaped public discourse. Working with 609 researchers and 97 partner organisations it created new digital cultural heritage communities, produced a research agenda and a trust network of ten centres of expertise over 3 continents. Developed from EPOCH, the 3D-COFORM project, with >100 technologists and heritage professionals, co-created unique technologies and innovative cultural heritage research methods. The project produced innovative ICT tools combined with `ground breaking' methodologies to evaluate socio-economic impact and strategies for sustainable enterprises that have been deployed by major heritage institutions in Belgium, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy and the UK.
Researchers at the Photography and the Archive Research Centre (PARC) study the practice and products of photography in terms of both artistic importance and social relevance, recognising photography's many roles including its presence in: the art world; reportage; autobiographical practice; and in social and political education. This case study demonstrates PARC's impact on cultural life via the production of work and curatorial practice, bringing new insights, challenging assumptions, and raising awareness of the role of photographic practice in the public realm.
Researchers at the University of Brighton (UoB) have disrupted established canons and concepts and repositioned professional and public attitudes as to what constitutes performance. They achieve this through the inclusive processes, innovative methods and modes of expression they employ in building new audiences, by engaging marginalised and under-represented communities and by re-situating both performance and audiences in new and unexpected places. Their work has impacted upon a range of communities in over 40 countries with 230 performances, public screenings and festival presentations, and via widespread online dissemination. Indicative of their importance was AGGISS and COWIE's position as British Council `performance ambassadors' for screen dance (Forward Motion) while both KARIKIS and FOX's research in their respective communities has stimulated paradigm shifts in public perceptions of inclusivity.
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.
History of design research at University of Brighton (UoB) has pioneered new methods of analysis and practices of interpretation to transform understandings of how design is produced, marketed and consumed. Firstly, it has changed the ways in which international organisations representing the design professions regard and value their history. Secondly, it has shaped the study and public appreciation of the history of design worldwide, and it has determined the kind of design that is collected and displayed. Thirdly, UoB has become an international nucleus for training researchers in design history, and thus partner of choice for design organisations and designers seeking expert stewardship and research-led promotion of their archives.
James Clifford Kent is attracting new global audiences to the theorisation of how space and place is constructed and consumed in contemporary society. His practice-led research project, Memories of a Lost Shark: Framing cultural imaginaries of Havana, Cuba, engages the public in a re- examination of the way we construct cultural imaginaries, impacting upon cultural life, education and public discourse. Kent's series of photographs of Havana combine his contemporary re- workings of historic and iconic Cuban imagery with annotations written by the renowned Cuban writer Edmundo Desnoes. These have been made accessible through public exhibitions, gallery talks and events, as well as through online galleries available on his own website, jckent.com.
The University of Brighton's (UoB) research has reduced information misuse and decreased the threat of data and identity theft in Nokia Location and Commerce (L&C). Further impact has been to lower the risk of corporate liability and consumers' personal loss. UoB's innovative research in the creation of concept diagrams now underpins and provides rigour to Nokia L&C's privacy engineering processes. Consequently, they can now communicate complex information across diverse teams in an intuitive and accessible manner. Ultimately, the impact is on all customers and users of Nokia's L&C's services worldwide.