Log in
The UoA research enabled a step increase in the technical and commercial capabilities of Atlantic Geomatics (UK) Ltd (AGUK, Cumbria) and the development of a postal addressing solution for the Government of Gibraltar (GoG). The beneficiaries and benefits included: AGUK who secured a contract safeguarding jobs and opening new international markets. Moreover, the GoG now have a definitive solution for legislation to replace their manual, multiple and inconsistent address lists by a spatially-based official address register (OAR) incorporating geographical information thereby enabling the people of Gibraltar to receive enhanced services (e.g. postal, emergency, utilities) from a centrally managed OAR.
This case study details the impact of a body of research exploring the effects of tourism on wild primates. Our findings have been communicated to a range of conservation organisations, government bodies, tourism associations and other parties, and used by them to promote wider public appreciation of tourism-related conservation issues, and to inform development of guidelines relating to primate tourism. In addition, we have engaged the public with this work through a range of traditional and online media. Through local, national and international consultation and collaboration, our research is having a significant impact on the wider approach to primate tourism.
Sheffield research on the role of Ombudsmen within the Administrative Justice (AJ) system has: (1) changed the approaches of Parliamentary and Local Government Ombudsmen in the UK with a view to improving their performance; (2) influenced government decision making on the reform of Ombudsman schemes in the UK and in Gibraltar; (3) contributed to forming opinions among parliamentary decision makers, via the Parliamentary Select Committee system; and (4) shaped debate and policy recommendations on administrative justice remedies within the Law Commission. The research has thereby addressed the challenges to the AJ system posed by the economic downturn and government austerity measures which carry the risk of deterioration in the quality of services available to citizens for the redress of grievances.
Bournemouth University (BU) researchers have developed economic modelling techniques that more accurately predict the outcome of events, policies or other major economic decisions. This type of modelling allows governments and organisations to effectively plan for the positive and negative impacts arising from decisions. The technique was used to inform estimates of the value of the 2012 Olympic Games and subsequent tourism legacy; to provide the evidence base for VisitScotland naming 2013 the `Year of Natural Scotland'; to inform a Parliamentary debate on music tourism and establish greater representation of music in VisitBritain marketing material; and to inform the Government of Gibraltar of the impact of changes, such as the benefits of cross-border activity.
Elevated blood glucose levels — the hallmark of diabetes — is estimated by the World Health Organization to be the third leading cause of premature death globally. Around 4 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes; their treatment accounts for 10% (£10 billion) of NHS expenditure. Self-management strategies and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle are fundamental to the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Since 2008, Leicester's Diabetes Research Centre has developed, evaluated, disseminated and implemented a range of programmes based on a technique called structured education. The flagship DESMOND programme is run in over half of all clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), affecting thousands of people with newly diagnosed T2DM. The Walking Away prevention programme has been widely implemented in the UK, Ireland and Australia. These programmes are the only nationally available evidence-based structured education programmes for the prevention and management of T2DM.
University of Surrey has a strong legacy of research into membrane separation and osmosis, culminating the commercialisation of Surrey's spin-out company Modern Water plc. Modern Water plc. was floated on AIM (London Stock Exchange) in June 2007 raising £30m cash with a market value of £70m.
The research itself is having direct impact via the operating desalination plants in Gibraltar and Oman producing high quality drinking water typically using 30% less energy than conventional desalination plants. In Oman, because of the poor quality of the feed water the forward osmosis process uses 42% less energy per litre of water produced when compared to convential equipment. The two plants currently operating in Oman serve 600 people in Al-Khuluf and 800 people in Naghdah.
As part of an EU-funded project on human evolution, a multi-disciplinary team led by a UCL archaeologist reconstructed the vocal tracts and potential speech sounds of Neanderthals (our most closely related extinct relatives). This experience was used to develop Voicebox: The Physics and Evolution of Speech, a pre-GCSE science teaching resource, with a booklet, DVD and physical apparatus. The booklet and DVD were distributed to about 6,500 UK science teachers. A follow-up evaluation in London schools confirmed that the Voicebox is seen as a valuable extension activity that has the potential to interest and engage pupils, including those with a low general level of interest in science subjects.
Research into 3D visualisation of shipwreck sites with historical significance or that pose a threat to the environment e.g. Costa Concordia, Deepwater Horizon, has led to multiple impacts:
The research also led to the formation of a University spin-out company (ADUS) which surveys and visualises shipwrecks with great detail and accuracy. This informs critical decision-making during salvage, wreck removal and environmental clean-up operations.