Summary of the impact

Surface water runoff in urban areas makes a significant contribution to pollution of lakes and rivers, but historically is poorly addressed in catchment models. The School of Geography (SoG) developed a Geographic Information System (GIS) model and supporting database to quantify urban source area loadings of 18 common and priority pollutants. This knowledge improves catchment models and supports impact assessment and mitigation planning by environment managers. The research has been exploited on behalf of the Department for Energy, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Welsh Assembly, and the UK water industry (UK Water Industry Research — UKWIR, and United Utilities). The research has had three distinct impacts: 1) its use addressing EU Water Framework Directive obligations; 2) its on-going influence on construction industry guidance; and 3) the commercialisation of its stormwater pollutant coefficient database for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) planning software.

Summary of the impact

The research and the practice methodology that underpin the emergence of the responsive play scripts, alongside the performances of the plays, have had the following impacts:

b) Communities, the General Public, Audiences — restoring, and increasing opportunities for audiences disenfranchised from access to locally generated performance by Chester's Gateway Theatre's closure (2007), to see and/or participate in performance events of high professional standard and thereby engage with local narratives and histories

c) Local theatre professionals — restoring and increasing employment opportunities, and broadening skill sets appropriate to non-traditional performance contexts

Reach: theatre audiences: 7,480; audiences at outdoor events: 27,000.

Significance: evidenced by repeat commissions for playscripts and touring productions.

Summary of the impact

Frowd's research aims to understand the extent to which witnesses and victims of crime construct accurate facial composites (pictures of criminal's faces), and to develop techniques which maximize the effectiveness of composites, thus allowing the police to identify as many offenders as possible using this type of forensic evidence. The principal impact involves a software system (EvoFIT), a new interview (Holistic-Cognitive Interview, H-CI) and two formats (animated caricature and stretched composite) for the police to publish composites in the media. In the audit period, these advancements have been used by police forces in the UK, US, Romania and Israel.

Summary of the impact

Publication of the first major piece of research on young adult carers [YACs] has led to recognition of a `new' group of carers in policy and practice, and the development of two new psychometric instruments.

Raising awareness with Government, policy makers and service providers, has resulted in the provision of new services and support and further education provision for YACs across the UK, and the psychometric tools are now being used extensively by organisations including Comic Relief, The Government Innovation Fund, the BBC, and in a dozen countries.

Summary of the impact

This case study describes the impact of a programme of work led by Professor Fiona Dykes, within the Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Unit (MAINN), at UCLAN. The unit was established in 2000 by Dykes. The research conducted in MAINN is underpinned by a range of interpretive and critical theoretical perspectives; it also actively engages in knowledge translation in a range of local, national and global contexts. Impact is particularly highlighted with regard to Global Policy, namely the WHO Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding, National Policy to include the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI), Key DoH publications and the NICE agenda.
http://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/environment/groups/maternal_and_infant_nutrition_and_nurture_ unit.php

Summary of the impact

The Hydro-environmental Research Centre (HRC) at Cardiff University has developed a widely used hydro-environmental numerical model, called DIVAST (Depth Integrated Velocities And Solute Transport). DIVAST addresses the need for more accurate models to predict flood risk and water quality levels for a range of extreme events. The model has been implemented in commercial codes, marketed by CH2M HILL (previously Halcrow), and used in design studies, for example, undertaken by Buro Happold. The impacts of the research are marked environmental, health, economic and industrial benefits. It is used by major organisations around the world on large-scale projects and, in particular, for mitigation planning against national and international risks associated with floods and water quality.

Summary of the impact

Improving outcomes for children, young people and families focuses on supporting the development of health and social care initiatives to promote social inclusion and improve quality of life, family cohesion, and health outcomes for `troubled', at risk, and disadvantaged families, demonstrating the following impact:

• Guiding practice, strategic decision-making and organisational change in partnership with local authorities and voluntary sector organisations, resulting in positive outcomes for children and families;
• Influencing national policy development in relation to improvements in health and social care services, resulting in reduced dependence on services.

Summary of the impact

Through Community Finance Solutions (CFS), an award winning research and development unit of the University of Salford, which addresses financial and social exclusion, Improving the Sustainability of Micro-financial Institutions is focused on providing leadership in increasing the sustainability of micro-financial institutions (MFIs) that provide credit or loans to the financially excluded, demonstrating the following impact:

• Increasing access to finance for excluded groups, reducing unmanageable debt and improving the quality of life;
• Supporting public authorities in developing financial inclusion policies;
• Changing EU policy, developing a model of sustainability and transparency for MFIs through the European Code of Conduct for Microcredit providers.

Summary of the impact

A body of research undertaken by McCabe in partnership with a Charity, the Family Holiday Association, has informed the development of policy and practice and raised awareness of issues concerning the inclusion of disadvantaged people in leisure travel. The research informed policy debate in an all-party parliamentary report and subsequently, Visit England's domestic tourism strategy. The work led to changes in the charity's practices, leading to new systems, services and underpinned a fundraising campaign. The research ultimately enhanced the Charity's capacity to influence and develop productive partnerships with UK and European policy makers.

Summary of the impact

`Visitor experience' is a familiar notion within the gallery and museum sector, as institutions strive to make their collections accessible and enriching to a wide audience. Although UK visitors are often well-served, international visitors are rarely given specific consideration. Information is generally not as extensive as that in English, and quality is usually inferior even though UK museums and galleries receive more international visitors than ever, and are aware of the need for improvement. The research, carried out with a range of UK cultural institutions, investigated the needs and expectations of international visitors and its findings led to more awareness of these in the sector and to the development of culturally-informed and audience-targeted materials to meet these requirements.