Summary of the impact

Dr Kneller's research on cognitive performance under challenging circumstances demonstrates impact in two areas:

1) Informing practice in diving. Kneller's research has demonstrated the effects of nitrogen narcosis on memory, and how anxiety may compound its severity. This has implications for recreational, commercial and military diving and has been recognized by diving industry sources.

2) Improving eyewitness identification within the context of crimes. Kneller's research has informed practice in the process of eyewitness identification for victims of crime. Her findings have impacted on policing practice in terms of how suspect line-ups are conducted and her expertise recognized within practitioner circles.

Summary of the impact

Research into the characteristics and remediation of mining pollution has had sustained and significant impacts (2008 - 2013) on environmental policy and practice at regional, national and international scales. Impacts, all with documentary evidence, include:

• Defining locations for engineering interventions to manage pollution in the economically important River Tyne and its estuary (S1).
• Triggering, and supporting delivery of, multi-million pound government investment in remediation of mining pollution nationally (S2, S3, S4).
• Determining design of the first large-scale `passive' metal mine drainage treatment system ever built in the UK (S3, S5).
• Ensuring European mining pollution issues are properly addressed in production of definitive international guidelines on mining pollution management (S6).
• Shaping of public policy and practice for management of water in mining regions of Peru and Honduras via international advisory roles (S7, S8).

Summary of the impact

Our award-winning work (Aviva/Earthwatch International Award 2006) on measuring growth of corals in relation to climate and environmental changes linked to capacity building has informed managers and policy-makers in developing countries of the measures required for an integrated system of conservation and management. In Jamaica, our research on modelling coral growth linked to discussions with local stakeholders and the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) showed that implementation of co-operative management plans can allow reef ecosystems to withstand major physical effects; these plans have been implemented. In Belize, we worked with local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the Fisheries Department to enable them to both measure and model coral reef growth, and so develop methods for sustaining their reefs. Our work has enabled reef managers in Jamaica and Belize to monitor their reefs and they have put in place new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) so that their reefs can be protected in times of climate and environmental change. This has resulted in increased fishing yields in both countries.