Summary of the impact

Work-related stress and work-life conflict are the biggest health and safety challenges in the UK with considerable costs to the economy as well as employees and their families. Research conducted by Professor Kinman over the last 15 years has made a significant contribution to enhancing knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning work-related well-being and ways in which this can be enhanced. In recognition of the unique nature of Kinman's work, the UoB is widely recognised as a centre of excellence in this field. Kinman has advised organisations, predominantly in the public sector, on ways to manage stress and enhance work-life balance and resilience. The significance and reach of this work has been demonstrated, most notably with academic employees and social workers. It has been used to develop interventions and informed changes to policy and practice at a national level in these sectors.

Summary of the impact

With one in five of the adult population in the UK living with arthritis, self-management education is a key approach used by occupational therapists (OTs) to support people with arthritis. University of Salford research has improved the tools available to OTs to deliver more effective self-management education, demonstrating the following impact:

• Improving patients' quality of life through supporting them in:
• Managing their pain and fatigue;
• Improving their psychological resilience;
• Remaining in work and engaged in leisure activities.
• Supporting occupational therapists to deliver effective self-management services;
• Developing evidence informed policy and strategy focused on improving the availability of self management services for people with arthritis.

Summary of the impact

City University London's patented rack generation mechanism, the `"N" rotor profile', offers substantial improvements on the rotary screw compressors widely used in industry at present. It allows for an increase in compressor capacity and makes compressors more energy efficient. Significantly, it can be easily retrofitted to existing compressors, thereby delivering immediate benefit. The mechanism has already been licensed to 27 major manufacturers around the world, resulting in savings of 0.1% of global electricity consumption and an equivalent reduction in global CO₂ emissions. City academic staff have worked with an existing firm (Howden Compressors Ltd) to raise funds and train researchers for the development of this technology. In addition, a new spin- out company (Heliex Power Ltd) has been formed to build on research developed since 2009. Important examples of the impact include:

• An increase in annual turnover at Howden Compressors Ltd. from £15M in 2009 to £39M in 2011 and a 40 % increase in the number of staff employed.
• The spin-out company Heliex Power Ltd is valued at £15M and has employed an additional 23 people following investment of £7M from BP Alternative Energy and ESB Novusmodus. A further £3M will have been invested by the end of November 2013. Heliex has been named in the 2013 Global Cleantech 100 list.
• An estimated reduction in carbon dioxide emissions worldwide from energy efficiency improvements totalling 30 Mt (0.1% of total emissions).

This research has enabled companies that operate worldwide in air compression, refrigeration, air conditioning, oil, gas and process industries to improve their economic and environmental performance in response to demanding governmental demands.