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Childhood obesity is a national problem but it is a problem even more keenly felt in the West Midlands where statistics show the percentage of children classified as obese is higher than the national average. Research demonstrating that simple measures such as waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) are every bit as effective as complex and expensive measuring processes such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in identifying high risk obese children has fed into the evaluation and subsequent improvement of child weight management programmes in the region and more widely in the UK. It also informed the development of an obesity strategy and action plan for Worcestershire for the period 2008-11.
Dementia poses substantial public health and societal challenges for Europe as there is currently no cure, and it is estimated that 10 million Europeans will be living with the disease in 2040. Good quality information allows for decision-makers to establish appropriate health policies and target resources where they are needed and where they are effective. The ALCOVE project (2011-2013) established a European network where knowledge on dementia could be shared and developed a series of recommendations for improving dementia care and quality of life across Europe. A particular strand of research within the project on timely diagnosis of dementia led by Worcester's Association for Dementia Studies has already stimulated policy debate on this issue in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, while a `toolbox' developed through the project for those living with dementia and their carers and for health and social care professionals has informed care practice.
A body of research on agricultural geography, with a strong regional focus on the Welsh Marches (the English counties bordering Wales), has led to changes in conservation policy and practice relating to rare breeds, primarily at the national level but also internationally; it has shaped farming policy at the regional level, particularly in Herefordshire, specifically leading to increased diversification in the farming sector across the county; and it has stimulated policy debate around the place of farming in society.
Argentium, a sterling silver alloy with unique properties, has stimulated jewellers to develop designs retailing in over 1,220 high street shops in the UK alone and craft jewellery makers to extend their design practice around the world. A spin-out company from Middlesex was sold to private investors in 2008. Middlesex remains in partnership with Argentium International Ltd., and retains a board seat. The seven companies presently licensed to manufacture Argentium alloy are Legor Group, Heraeus, GSM Metals Inc, Lamet Spa, Noble Mind, Nubia and Pasavento. Route to impact was creation and protection of intellectual property, and its exploitation through a spinout company. Beneficiaries include silversmithing and craft industries, jewellery retailers, and users of Argentium Silver.
The History Department's Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture (CSCC) employed its research expertise in religious history to improve the understanding and sustainability of historic churches and cathedrals. These together form England's largest single 'estate' of built heritage with over 11 million visitors each year. From 2008 the Centre developed an extensive programme of national partnerships, which have led to significant and wide-reaching impact:
(i) creating new aids to help visitors engage with sacred sites
(ii) encouraging tourism and enhancing access to these national and international heritage sites for people from all cultural and faith backgrounds
(iii) delivering professional development activities for clergy, lay leaders, church architects, diocesan staff, heritage staff and volunteers
In response to the declining number of applicants for leadership posts in Further Education, David Collinson developed the Practitioner Research Programme. Funded by the UK Government's Learning and Skills Improvement Service, the programme offered FE leaders and managers the opportunity to produce research-informed answers to challenges they were facing in their own practice. Findings were developed into 88 practitioner research reports that were disseminated to every FE college in England and Wales and made available online. Research engagement enhanced knowledge and understanding of leadership issues, stimulating organisational change and improving the performance of individuals, teams and organisations. Key themes were presented at a national conference where outstanding projects received awards for the impact of research on their own FE organisation, the local community and leadership development. Findings were extensively cited in the `Independent Commission on Colleges in their Communities' report, and in the Foster Review of UK FE.
The case study will discuss, and provide qualitative evidence of the ways in which Julie Maclusky's action research into developing approaches to teaching creative writing in primary schools has contributed to the thinking, training and continuing professional development of primary school teachers and their teaching practice. It will illustrate the emerging impact that the research has had on the practices of primary schools in teaching creative writing and on the value and success of those practices to developing articulacy and literacy amongst primary school-aged children.
Commissioned research into career management and development led to changes in Human Resource (HR) practice and policy within a public sector organisation (West Mercia Constabulary) which have had clear benefits for the organisation. Subsequently, one of the products of this research, a psychometric tool called the Career Competencies Indicator, was successfully developed for commercial purposes in conjunction with a private sector consulting company. A version of the Career Competencies Indicator aimed specifically at 18-24 year olds was launched in April 2013 bringing immediate commercial benefits to the company involved but also potential benefits for an age group that is currently suffering particularly high levels of unemployment.
Childhood obesity is an increasing problem in the UK with roughly one in seven school aged children in Scotland and England being classified as obese. The picture is similar in Wales where the prevalence is one in eight. The direct cost of obesity to the NHS is estimated to be £4.2bn a year, with this set to rise if the causes of childhood obesity are not addressed. The contribution of the research described below to tackling this issue is manifold: it has enabled the development and improvement of child health interventions/programmes; it has allowed commissioners and programme leads to make more informed decisions about investment in these interventions/programmes; and it has contributed to the development of regional healthy weight strategies and national guidelines on weight management.
This case study is devoted to the impact of Ginette Vincendeau's research, which has influenced cultural life through the creation of more critically-informed audiences for French cinema. It focuses on (i) how her research insights have reached a non-academic, cine-literate large audience through screening introductions and lectures (in particular at BFI Southbank) and through the media (Sight & Sound, BBC Radio, and DVD commentaries) and (ii) how this research has had formative effects on secondary education in the UK (A-level French students) and on other audiences through different forms of cultural production (theatre).