Impact UK Location: Rhondda

REF impact found 4 Case Studies

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Empowering rural digital communities in the developing world and the UK

Summary of the impact

Research in the area of mobile digital storytelling conducted at Swansea University has shown that hundreds of millions of people are disempowered by lack of appropriate digital devices, services and infrastructure. In a programme of research starting with real users in communities in rural India, Southern Africa and rural UK, we designed, developed and tested new systems, leading to the integration and delivery of new techniques and platforms by major service providers, including IBM. Open source software developed to simplify media creation and sharing is being used by communities around the world, and has been downloaded more than 14,000 times. The research has increased awareness of "digital divide" issues and has changed attitudes in technology companies and public audiences.

Submitting Institution

Swansea University

Unit of Assessment

Computer Science and Informatics

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing
Technology: Communications Technologies

The Library of Wales: influencing Government Policy to benefit the Creative Industries, Cultural Tourism, Education and General Readers

Summary of the impact

The publication of The Library of Wales series, of Welsh literary works in English, was funded by the Welsh Government as a direct result of evidence given to the National Assembly of Wales by Thomas. The evidence was based on research carried out at Swansea University, and made the case for bringing a neglected but artistically and culturally important body of literature back into print. Since 2008 the series, edited by Smith, has delivered economic benefit to its publisher; provided new content for cultural tourism events; raised awareness of Welsh writing in English amongst new audiences; and made new material available for educational and creative purposes.

Submitting Institution

Swansea University

Unit of Assessment

English Language and Literature

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Language, Communication and Culture: Cultural Studies, Literary Studies
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies

Removing SME Public Procurement Participation Barriers in Wales

Summary of the impact

Since 2008, Bangor Law School has pioneered research into the legal and risk barriers that inhibit SME participation in public procurement. This has had a transformational impact on 5 substantial non-academic communities: SMEs have benefited from improved access to public contract opportunities; Local Authorities have reduced procurer-evaluation hours and process times; the Welsh Government have implemented a Supplier Qualification Information Database tool improving tender-entry for SMEs; Representative Bodies (e.g. Confederation of British Industry) have extensively quoted our research findings to lobby Government to eradicate SME tendering barriers and our Tender Review Instrument has been adopted by International Agencies such as the Canadian Government.

Submitting Institution

Bangor University

Unit of Assessment

Law

Summary Impact Type

Legal

Research Subject Area(s)

Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services: Business and Management
Law and Legal Studies: Law

The Material Culture of Late Medieval Religion in Wales

Summary of the impact

Much of Madeleine Gray's recent research focuses on the visual and material culture of religion in late-medieval and early modern Wales. This has led to invitations to work as a consultant on several major heritage and community regeneration projects as well as numerous public lecturing engagements, newspaper articles and appearances on network television, notably the BBC's award-winning `The Story of Wales'. This media activity and heritage consultancy has repositioned the academic and wider public's sense of Welsh identity away from the traditional focus on nonconformist chapel culture and towards a wider awareness of Wales's European heritage.

Submitting Institution

University of South Wales

Unit of Assessment

History

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Language, Communication and Culture: Cultural Studies, Literary Studies
History and Archaeology: Historical Studies

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