THE 100+ WAYS
UNIVERSITIES
HAVE IMPROVED
EVERYDAY LIFE
Explore
The UK’s Best Breakthroughs List is a celebration
of the everyday impact that universities have on
people, lives and communities across the UK.
UK universities are at the forefront of some of the
world’s most important discoveries, innovations
and social initiatives, including work tackling plastic
pollution, ultrasound scans to check the health
of unborn babies and the establishment of the
Living Wage.
The list also highlights the less celebrated but vital
breakthroughs that transform lives, regardless of
whether you’ve been to university or not. These
include a specially-designed bra to improve the
treatment of women undergoing radiotherapy;
Explore
a toilet that flushes human waste without the need
for water; the development of a new scrum technique
to make rugby safer; a sports initiative that aims
to use football to resolve conflict in divided
communities – and even work to protect the
quality of the chocolate we eat.
It was put together in partnership with universities
across the UK. As part of the MadeAtUni campaign,
universities around the country were invited to
nominate the one thing from their institution which
they believe has had the biggest impact on people,
lives or communities.
Over 100 universities submitted a nomination and
the entries cover health, technology, environment,
family, community and culture & sport.
CLICK TO EXPLORE BY
BREAKTHROUGH THEME
UNIVERSITY BREAKTHROUGHS
ACROSS ENGLAND, WALES,
SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND
THEMES
We live healthier, longer lives
because of UK universities.
Ultrasound scans can monitor
the health of babies in the womb,
MRI scans can see inside our
bodies and portable defibrillators
give us a second chance of life
after a heart attack.
THEMES
> University of Aberdeen
> University of Kent
> Anglia Ruskin University
> University of Lincoln
>University of Oxford and
The University of Sheffield
>University of Birmingham
> University of Liverpool
> Queen’s University Belfast
> Bournemouth University
> University College London
> Queen Margaret University
> University of Cambridge
> Scotland’s Rural University
> Cardiff Metropolitan University
>The London School of Hygiene
& Tropical Medicine
> Edinburgh Napier University
> St George’s, University of London
> Sheffield Hallam University
> University of Edinburgh
>University of West London
> University of Stirling
> University of Exeter
> Middlesex University
> Swansea University
>University of Glasgow and
The Glasgow School of Art
> Newcastle University
> University of South Wales
> University of Northampton
> University of York
> University of Huddersfield
> University of Nottingham
> Keele University
> Oxford Brookes University
> University of the West of Scotland
UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
The world’s first full-body MRI scanner
Professor James Hutchison and his team
built the Mark 1 machine that successfully
scanned its first patient on 28 August
1980. He also helped to patent a gamechanging technique, known as spin-warp
imaging, which dramatically improved the
quality of the images and
is still used by every single MRI scanner
in the world today.
Many in the scientific community had
dismissed MRI as a non-viable technology
prior to the spin-warp breakthrough.
THEMES
HEALTH
ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY
Identifying the causes of blindness
The Vision Loss Expert Group at Anglia
Ruskin University carries out global
research into blindness and visual
impairment. Led by Professor Rupert
Bourne, from the university’s Vision
and Eye Research Unit, the group led
important research into the causes of
vision loss, which involved studying
evidence in 190 countries between
1990 and 2015.
THEMES
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Improving liver transplants
Since the pioneering work of Sir Peter
Medawar, who was awarded a Nobel
Prize for his tissue grafting work, the
University of Birmingham has been at
the forefront of liver transplantation.
Around 20% of patients die while awaiting
a transplant, while 400 livers donated
each year are rejected as too high risk for
transplantation.
This technology allows medics to assess
whether an organ, once deemed too high
risk for transplant, would actually function
if it were to be transplanted.
Researchers at the university are carrying
out ground-breaking research using
perfusion machines, which act like a
life support machine for donor livers.
THEMES
HEALTH
BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
Revolutionising the treatment of hip arthritis
Bournemouth University’s Orthopaedic
Research Institute (ORI) has improved
the quality of healthcare in Dorset and
beyond. Set up in October 2015, the
institute works across the university and
with hospitals, industry partners and
academics to conduct research that
directly impacts on patients. Specialising
in osteoarthritis, it is currently conducting
a trial comparing standard NHS
physiotherapy therapy for hip arthritis
to an innovative, eight-week communitybased exercise and educational
programme, focused on using
cycling to reduce hip pain.
THEMES
The outcomes of this trial are set to
influence the treatment of hip arthritis
around the world. The institute is also
set to carry out one of the first studies in
the world to evaluate the outcomes of
robotic hip surgery using the facilities
at its world-class centre.
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Sequencing genome breakthrough
Whole-genome sequencing has
allowed researchers all over the world
to investigate DNA at a scale and depth
that was unimaginable just a generation
ago. Solexa sequencing, developed
by scientists at Cambridge University,
is one of a number of next-generation
sequencing methods which has helped
develop new treatments for disease and
revealed the evolutionary history of life
on Earth. Born from a pub conversation
in 1997, the Solexa team sequenced their
first genome in 2005, launched its first
sequencer in 2006, and in 2007 was
acquired by US-based company Illumina
for $650 million.
THEMES
HEALTH
CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Breast prosthetics for breast cancer patients
Design researchers at Cardiff Metropolitan
University’s International Centre for Design
and Research have worked with NHS
clinicians to develop bespoke prosthetic
breasts for women who have undergone a
mastectomy.
The aim is to reduce the psychological
impact on patients of post-surgical
rehabilitation and help them and their
families cope better with the emotional
strain of breast cancer.
The research project, which is informing the
development of more realistic and better
fitting breast prostheses, has developed
from a partnership of more than 20 years.
This partnership has seen product and
design specialists work closely with medical
professionals to offer a wide range of
cutting-edge solutions for patients.
THEMES
HEALTH
EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY
Research into the benefits of staying
active after cancer diagnosis
With one in two people in the UK being
diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime,
Edinburgh Napier University is researching
the physical and psychological benefits of
staying active after a cancer diagnosis.
Dr Anna Campbell, an Associate Professor
in the university’s School of Applied
Sciences, has created two exercise
DVDs for cancer survivors and set up
the first free community-based exercise
programme in the UK.
THEMES
In 2016, she was awarded an MBE for
her services to exercise and cancer
survivorship. She also teaches students
how to perform exercise consultations
and design individualised exercise
programmes for patients.
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Enabling cancer survivors to have children
Some cancer therapies can leave women
infertile or bring on early menopause,
denying survivors the chance to have a
family. Freezing eggs is often not practical
because the process takes several weeks,
which can delay the start of urgentlyneeded treatment. This approach is
also not appropriate for girls and some
younger women.
This could now change thanks to
researchers at the University of Edinburgh
who have developed new procedures for
freezing ovarian tissue.
The research has shown that ovarian
cycles and fertility can be restored by
placing the frozen tissue back into the
original donor in an animal model.
The team also showed that this procedure
can be performed safely using minimally
invasive keyhole surgery in adult women
and girls, raising hopes of a rapid
approach to preserve fertility for women
with cancer.
They discovered that ovarian tissue
obtained via keyhole surgery could be
frozen for long-term storage.
THEMES
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Revolutionising hip replacement operations
Professor Robin Ling and Dr Clive Lee,
both from the University of Exeter,
revolutionised hip replacement operations
with the creation of an implant that could
be securely fixed to the bony skeleton
using acrylic bone cement. The first LingLee hip was inserted in 1970 and the
‘Exeter Hip’, as it is now known, is the most
implanted cemented hip replacement in
the world today, due to its outstanding
durability. More than 100,000 Exeter Hips
are now implanted every year.
THEMES
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW &
THE GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART
The ultrasound scan
Now a standard feature on hospital wards,
ultrasound was developed as a diagnostic
tool over 60 years ago as the result of a
collaboration between experts in clinical
obstetrics, engineering and industrial
design. Together they created the first
prototypes and production models
of ultrasound scanners for obstetrics
scanning in hospitals.
Ultrasound scans have made pregnancy
and labour safer, allowing for more
effective detection and treatment of
foetal abnormality. Ultrasound scanning
is used in many other areas and recent
advances have enabled real-time 3D
images to be produced. It has become
an indispensable, non-invasive
diagnostic tool.
THEMES
Professor Ian Donald, from the University
of Glasgow, pioneered the development
of ultrasound for obstetrics in
collaboration with fellow obstetrician
Dr John McVicar and engineer Tom Brown,
from the Glasgow firm Kelvin Hughes.
Crucial to making the technology more
fit for use was the work of industrial
designer, Dugald Cameron. As a final year
student at The Glasgow School of Art, he
persuaded Tom Brown to reconsider the
design to facilitate its use by both medics
and patients. Dugald Cameron went on
to design the first ever commerciallyproduced ultrasonic scanner, the
Diasonograph.
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF HUDDERSFIELD
Cancer treatment breakthrough
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy
and radiotherapy often cause a variety of
side effects. These include the destruction
of healthy cells in the body along with
cancerous cells. However, researchers
at the University of Huddersfield have
developed a potentially revolutionary
technique that allows cancer cells to
be destroyed while leaving healthy
ones unaffected.
THEMES
The research, which focused on the
unique properties of protein named
Cluster of Differentiation (CD40), is in
its early stages, but it is hoped that in
the next couple of years it can be taken
through to clinical trials, before potentially
being approved for patients.
HEALTH
KEELE UNIVERSITY
Pioneering treatment for back pain
70% of people in the UK will experience
a significant episode of back pain during
their lives and the condition costs society
over £10bn each year. Keele University is
attempting to change this, recognising
that while effective therapies exist,
finding the right personalised treatment
is often very difficult.
Trials found a saving of £400 per person,
which equates to overall savings of more
than £700 million annually in the UK.
The STarT Back approach has been widely
incorporated into UK health guidelines
and is being used across the world. It has
been translated into 36 languages.
Over the past 15 years, researchers have
pioneered new treatments and developed
an easy-to-use approach called STarT
Back, identifying those most at risk of
future pain and then matching patients
with the most appropriate treatment.
THEMES
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Improving the health of vegetarians and vegans
Scientists from the University of Kent
discovered how the diets of vegetarians
and vegans could be improved by
increasing the amount of Vitamin B12 in
plants, which are normally lacking this
nutrient altogether.
Vitamin B12 (known as cobalamin)
is essential to the human diet but
vegetarians are more prone to B12
deficiency as plants neither make nor
need it. A team, led by Professor Martin
Warren at the university’s School of
Biosciences, proved that common garden
cress can indeed take up cobalamin.
THEMES
Such nutrient-enriched plants could help
overcome dietary limitations in countries
like India, which have a high proportion
of vegetarians.
The discovery might help to address the
global challenge of providing a nutrientcomplete vegetarian diet – a valuable
development as the world becomes
increasingly meat-free due to population
expansion.
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN
Relieving the pressures on the
NHS through better training
The pressures on the NHS are intense,
with staff and services routinely stretched
to the limits of capacity and resources.
Relieving the burden on our healthcare
services by making them more efficient
improves the quality of patient care –
and this is where research at the
University of Lincoln is stepping in.
Working with frontline staff within the
ambulance service, Professor Niro
Siriwardena and his team have been
helping to improve pre-hospital care
for patients in need of emergency care
following a fall, stroke, hypoglycaemia or
epileptic episode, or those experiencing
significant pain.
THEMES
The team of researchers identified barriers
to providing the best care possible and
their recommendations have directly
helped a range of emergency situations.
Call handlers are now better able to
identify those having a cardiac arrest
or at risk of imminent cardiac arrest;
paramedics attending emergency calls
can make safer decisions about treatment
options in very complex situations; and
new clinical treatments are being given
by frontline staff to stroke patients before
they are taken to hospital to reduce the
number of disabilities experienced.
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL
The rotavirus vaccine
Research led by the University of
Liverpool has played a key role in the
development and introduction of the
rotavirus vaccine. Rotavirus is a highly
infectious stomach bug that kills around
200,000 infants and children around the
world each year.
For the past 20 years, Professor Nigel
Cunliffe has led a long-term programme
of rotavirus research in children in Malawi.
This included a pivotal first clinical trial of
a human rotavirus vaccine in Africa, which
resulted in a global rotavirus vaccine
recommendation by the World Health
Organisation in 2009.
THEMES
His team’s work underpinned the
introduction of the rotavirus vaccine
into Malawi’s childhood immunisation
schedule in 2012. The UK followed in 2013
and the rotavirus vaccine is now part of
the vaccination schedule in 96 countries
around the world. A recent evaluation
of the impact of rotavirus vaccine in
Malawi showed that it has reduced infant
diarrhoea deaths by nearly a third.
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Breakthrough treatments for leukaemia
and aggressive cancers
UCL’s ground-breaking research has
revolutionised the treatment of leukaemia
and transformed the lives of patients with
aggressive cancers. By developing CAR
T-cell therapy, which modifies the immune
system to destroy cancer cells, UCL
and partner hospitals have successfully
treated childhood leukaemia.
THEMES
UCL has also led major clinical trials and
breakthroughs in diagnosing and treating
other forms of cancer. These include
doubling the accuracy of prostate cancer
diagnoses, allowing over one million men
a year to avoid an unnecessary biopsy,
and developing a single-shot dose of
radiotherapy for use during breast cancer
surgery to remove the need for weeks of
postoperative radiotherapy.
HEALTH
LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE
& TROPICAL MEDICINE
Developing responses to global disease outbreaks
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical
Medicine (LSHTM) is at the forefront of
responding to disease outbreaks and
global health emergencies around the
world through action and on-the-ground
rapid research and education.
Experts have contributed to tackling the
likes of Ebola, SARS, swine flu and Zika.
This has included advising governments,
assisting in response planning, conducting
clinical trials of vaccines and treatments,
providing free online courses for
healthcare professionals which have
attracted more than 30,000 participants,
and working with local communities to
change behaviour.
THEMES
LSHTM now runs the government-funded
UK Public Heath Rapid Support Team
(UK-PHRST) in partnership with Public
Heath England. King’s College London
and the University of Oxford are academic
partners. The team of experts are ready
to deploy to countries around the world
within 48 hours to respond to disease
outbreaks and prevent them developing
into global health emergencies.
It also conducts research to strengthen
the global response to future epidemics.
HEALTH
ST GEORGE’S, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Reducing cardiac deaths among young people
On average, 12 people under the age of
35 die unexpectedly each week due to a
previously undiagnosed heart condition.
Scientists at St George’s, University
of London, are at the forefront of a
national screening programme aimed
at identifying electrical and structural
defects that can lead to sudden death.
Working with the charitable organisation,
Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) for the
past 20 years, Professor Sanjay Sharma
leads the largest cardiac screening
programme in the UK for individuals
aged between 14 and 35.
THEMES
The charity screens over 20,000
individuals each year with a health
questionnaire and electrocardiogram
while St George’s then collates and
interprets the data.
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF WEST LONDON
Training NHS nurses and midwives
The University of West London has
been training nurses and midwives for
the west London and Berkshire regions,
and beyond, for decades. Hand-in-hand
with NHS and private partners, nurses
and midwives are trained to deliver high
quality, safe and essential care both in
hospital and in the community, while
promoting the health and wellbeing
of the community in which we live.
THEMES
Year on year, hundreds of nurses and
midwives have been trained to ensure
that our health services have the staff
in place to give the care that is needed,
when it is needed.
In 2017, 94.3% of its nurses and midwives
were in graduate level occupations within
six months of graduating. Nurses and
midwives change people’s lives for the
better every day they go to work.
HEALTH
MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY
Care robots for the elderly
Middlesex University are working on
a £2m international research project
(Caresses) to develop the world’s first
culturally aware robots to help look after
older people in care homes or sheltered
accommodation.
It is also hoped that the robots will be able
to improve the wellbeing of their charges.
The robots will communicate through
speech and gestures, move independently
and pick up signs that the elderly person
is unwell or in pain.
The robots will offer support with
everyday task such as taking tablets,
as well as offering companionship.
Academics say the robots could alleviate
pressures on care homes and hospitals.
THEMES
HEALTH
NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY
New diet to reverse Type 2 diabetes
Research by Professor Roy Taylor from
Newcastle university has identified the
cause of Type 2 diabetes. This has led to
the development of a very low-calorie diet
which can reverse Type 2 diabetes.
A simple, effective method of shedding
around two-and-a-half stone in weight,
means that sufferers no longer have to
take medication and can return to
normal health.
THEMES
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHAMPTON
UK’s first test centre for overseas nurses and midwives
The University of Northampton is home
to the UK’s first Competence Test
Centre, where nurses and midwives who
completed their training outside of Europe
are able to undertake a practical clinical
assessment before becoming eligible to
join the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s
register.
The test ensures that nurses’ skills are
assessed in a robust and objective way
in order to safeguard standards and
protect the public.
Since the Competence Test Centre
was opened in 2014, over 4,000 nurses
have taken the test.
THEMES
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
MRI scans
The University of Nottingham is the home
of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, one
of the most important breakthroughs in
modern medicine. Sir Peter Mansfield led
the team in the 1970s which developed
the technology, famously becoming the
first person to be scanned in a machine
(after updating his will in case things went
awry).
More than 40 years on, the university’s
pioneering invention continues to
transform lives and medical care across
the world. It is used in more than 60
million clinical examinations around the
world every year and it is hard to imagine
a world without it.
THEMES
HEALTH
OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY
Improving the accuracy of pre-natal screening
Pioneering research by Professor Nigel
Groome at Oxford Brookes University
provided pre-natal diagnostic and
screening tests which are used worldwide
in routine clinical practice. One of
Professor Groome’s greatest research
achievements was the development of
methods to measure the two forms of the
reproductive hormone, inhibin. This led
to the first clinical tests, for measuring
inhibin A and inhibin B in blood. Since 1994
inhibin A measurement has been used in
prenatal screening for Down’s syndrome,
decreasing the need for invasive testing.
Automated inhibin A assay is used for
second trimester screening, and is the
standard of care in the US since 2011.
THEMES
The higher accuracy of screening meant
fewer women required amniocentesis, an
invasive procedure which has a chance
of causing a miscarriage. The test for
inhibin B, made in men, is in use as a
marker of sperm count. Both of these
tests are used in fertility studies and
diagnosis of inter sex disorders. Professor
Groome’s later research led to the current
clinical tests for another reproductive
hormone known as AMH (anti-mullerian
hormone). This is widely used in IVF clinics
to measure how many eggs the women
have remaining and helps identify
the women most likely to benefit
from IVF.
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD AND
THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
Creation of penicillin
The first documented use of penicillin as
a therapy was carried out in Sheffield in
1930 by Cecil George Paine, a member
of the Pathology Department. He treated
eye infections in two babies with a crude
filtrate from a penicillin-producing mould
supplied by Alexander Fleming, his
lecturer, when he studied medicine at St
Mary’s Hospital Medical School, London.
A decade later, scientists at the University
of Oxford developed penicillin into a
drug that could be used to treat bacterial
infections in humans. Those scientists –
notably Howard Florey, Ernst Chain and
Norman Heatley – were able to isolate
and purify penicillin, demonstrating its
successful use as an antibiotic first in
mice and then, crucially, in people.
THEMES
Their work ushered in the modern age
of antibiotics and helped save millions of
lives. Researchers at Oxford and Sheffield
are still at the forefront of efforts to make
life-saving advances in understanding
disease and find new treatments and
cures – including how infectious agents
interact with their hosts to cause disease
and tackling the growing problem of
antibiotic resistance.
HEALTH
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Invention of the portable defibrillator
The late Frank Pantridge, who was a
Professor at Queen’s University Belfast,
was known as the ‘father of emergency
medicine’ and invented the portable
defibrillator in 1965.
The device has saved innumerable lives
around the world since Pantridge first
developed his prototype which operated
from two car batteries and weighed
70 kilos.
THEMES
Pantridge installed the portable
defibrillator in an ambulance and the
device was first used in January 1966.
The so-called ‘Pantridge plan’ was taken
up in America where mobile units were
swiftly put into operation and was used
on President Lyndon Johnson when he
suffered a heart attack while on
a visit to Virginia in 1972.
HEALTH
QUEEN MARGARET UNIVERSITY
Improving speech therapy
Queen Margaret University’s (QMU)
pioneering technologies and speech
therapy techniques are helping people
who have struggled to improve their
speech with traditional therapies.
QMU has developed electropalatography
which, for the first time, allows users
to see the position of the tongue in the
mouth during speech. Children respond
well to the visual feedback, which is not
ordinarily available in speech therapy,
and does not rely purely on what the
child hears.
THEMES
The child wears a customised artificial
dental palate containing 62 electrodes
that detect the child’s tongue movement
on the roof of the mouth during speech.
This allows the therapist to identify more
accurately errors in the child’s speech.
The therapist wears a customised palate,
allowing them to demonstrate the correct
patterns to the child on a computer screen.
The child looks at these patterns, and then
copies the therapist’s tongue movements
by recreating the pattern themselves.
HEALTH
SCOTLAND’S RURAL COLLEGE
Better mental health support in rural communities
Scotland’s Rural College formed a
partnership with Support in Mind Scotland
(SiMS) to carry out the first national rural
survey targeted at those with experience
of mental health problems.
The project examined people’s
experiences in their community and
established how they would prefer to
connect with services, with the aim of
ensuring that those with mental health
problems were taken seriously.
THEMES
Those experiencing poor mental health
said they wanted to connect in local,
non-clinical settings, before personal
crises occur.
The findings have changed the approach
taken by SiMs to tackle mental health
issues and is helping to shape policy in
Scotland.
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND
Transforming dementia care
Scotland’s National Dementia Champions
Programme was the result of a commission
for a collaborative programme to teach
qualified staff to become ‘change agents’
in dementia care.
In 2010, the Scottish government gave
NHS Education Scotland funding to create
this programme, which is delivered by
University of the West of Scotland (UWS)
and Alzheimer Scotland.
THEMES
Since the inception of the programme,
there are over 800 Dementia Champions
working to improve dementia care across
Scotland. These are health and social care
professionals who work with people living
with dementia and have completed the
eight-month UWS-led programme.
The programme has had a
transformational impact on the
knowledge and skills of the participants
and was praised by the Mental Welfare
Commission for Scotland.
HEALTH
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
Radiotherapy bra to improve breast cancer treatment
Every day around 150 women in the UK
will be told they have breast cancer.
Many of these women will undergo
radiotherapy. Currently, the procedure
requires women to strip down to the
waist and the radiographer positions
the breasts manually for treatment.
The garment keeps the breasts in the
same position for each treatment,
improving the accuracy of the procedure
and reducing the radiation dose received
by normal tissue. The bra has been tested
on healthy volunteers and is undergoing
its first clinical testing with patients.
Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University
have now developed a specially designed
bra to make radiotherapy more dignified.
THEMES
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING
Helping to change the law on tobacco advertising
The Institute of Social Marketing at the
University of Stirling has conducted
research which examines the impact of
marketing on the nation’s health.
Through this research, it has provided
important evidence to guide policy and
legislation, improving the health of current
and future generations.
This change in law is designed to cut
the number of smokers and deter nonsmokers – particularly young people –
from taking up smoking. The Department
of Health estimates that this policy will
have a net benefit to government of
£25 billion, 10 years post-implementation.
Its research played a key role in the UK
and Scottish governments’ decision to
change the law to state that all packaging
for tobacco products must have a
standard colour, shape and font.
THEMES
HEALTH
SWANSEA UNIVERSITY
Using Salmonella to improve cancer treatment
Research at Swansea University Medical
School has shown that Salmonella
could be used to create better cancer
treatments. Unlike chemotherapy and
radiotherapy, these treatments would
be non-toxic and would target only the
tumour (leaving healthy tissue unaffected)
and could require only one dose.
The technology at the heart of the
approach is called RNAi, a natural process
that cells use to turn down, or silence,
the activity of specific genes.
THEMES
Professor Paul Dyson, who is leading this
work, has previously used this technology
to develop a pesticide-free weapon
against insects that cause sleeping
sickness and damage crops.
In the next phase, the team will test
whether bacterial strains can be
combined to target the different cancercausing genes (‘oncogenes’) in different
types of cancer including breast cancer
and colorectal cancer.
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES
Improving patient hydration in hospital
One student nurse said:
A group of adult nursing students at the
University of South Wales have come up
“Although nursing staff make every effort
with a simple idea that could help hospital to ensure patients are getting the correct
staff monitor a patient’s fluid intake. They
fluids, we all agreed that it can be quite
are proposing that hospitals introduce
difficult to know which patients are having
jugs with yellow lids, rather than the
their fluids monitored on a ward.
traditional blue lids, for patients who are
“Some patients, for example, may be on
either having their fluids restricted
fluid restrictions following complications
or monitored.
such as heart failure, while others might
The lids, which cost as little as 70p each,
be being encouraged to drink more
would provide hospital staff on busy
because they are dehydrated.”
wards with an easy visual clue about
Yellow was chosen because it is thought
which patients require careful monitoring.
to be a colour that is positive for people
living with dementia as well as for people
with impaired vision.
THEMES
HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF YORK
Economic research to guide spending and investment
The University of York’s Centre for Health
Economics has helped to guide major
spending and investment decisions across
the NHS for decades.
The centre has explored the effectiveness
of public health policies targeting obesity,
smoking and alcohol; examined waiting
times and hospital efficiency; and compared
the costs and benefits of hundreds of
surgical techniques and interventions.
THEMES
The centre developed the formula used
for more than 20 years to allocate health
resources equitably across England,
a model which also influenced the
approach taken in countries such as
Brazil and Finland.
HEALTH
Every time you use your
smartphone, turn on your
flat screen television, surf
the internet or switch on
your computer, you are
benefitting from the work
of UK academics.
THEMES
> Abertay University
> University of Leicester
> University of Surrey
> Aston University
> London Metropolitan University
> Teesside University
> Birmingham City University
> University of Manchester
> Nottingham Trent University
> Cranfield University
> Royal Veterinary College
> University of Warwick
> University of Dundee
> University of Southampton
> Wrexham Glyndŵr University
> Durham University
> Staffordshire University
> University of Hertfordshire
> University of Strathclyde
ABERTAY UNIVERSITY
The first degree in video gaming
Abertay University was the first university
in the world to introduce degree
programmes in video games. It did this
back in 1994, following discussions with
the nascent games industry. It has gone
on to produce thousands of games
graduates who now work or own video
games companies internationally. One of
its first games alumni was Dave Jones,
founder of DMA Design, who went on to
create the video game Lemmings and the
very first version of Grand Theft Auto.
The games industry is worth more than
the music and film industries combined,
so the economic and cultural worth of this
sector is not to be dismissed.
THEMES
TECHNOLOGY
ASTON UNIVERSITY
Faster, safer data connection
Aston University in Birmingham has
discovered ways of speeding up
connections, making it much faster to
send information and digital data.
Researchers developed ways of exploiting
the properties of light that enable the
transmission of vast quantities (one
terabyte of data every second) in little
packets through an optical fibre cable,
while designing the packets to make it
stable enough to travel thousands of
kilometres without them weakening,
breaking up and possibly losing data.
THEMES
This system of sending information is now
used worldwide, enabling all of us instant
access to the services we need and enjoy.
As a result, it is easier to stream movies,
video chat with friends, shop online and
store our photos on the cloud. In business,
benefits include more reliable, high speed
connections to transfer financial, business
or even life-saving medical information to
where it is needed.
TECHNOLOGY
BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY
Pioneering centre for innovation
Birmingham City University’s STEAMhouse
is a pioneering centre for innovation that
brings together small companies, artists
and academics, encouraging them to
work together on new projects that boosts
the region’s workforce and supports the
local economy. Set over eight different
rooms, each one equipped with its own specialist technology and dedicated
technicians, the facility has given over
200 entrepreneurs the chance to work
alongside academic experts to produce
business prototypes and collaborate on
new ideas.
THEMES
Earlier this year it was announced that
a second hub would be opening in a
derelict factory in Birmingham to
provide even more facilities for people
across the region.
TECHNOLOGY
CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
Nano membrane toilet
Currently there are still 2.3 billion people
in the world without access to basic
toilets. But researchers at Cranfield
University are hopeful that this statistic
will drop drastically after its Nano
Membrane Toilet is brought to areas that
do not have the infrastructure to support
toilets that require running water.
This toilet is able to treat human waste
on site without water or external energy.
It is a contained system which uses a
rotating barrier to ‘flush’ both solid and
liquid waste into a receptacle below –
all the while blocking odour.
THEMES
Sedimentation will separate the two
waste products and, once the liquid
waste becomes a vapour, it is transported
to a chamber with novel ‘nano-coated
hydrophilic beads.’
It is here that the vapour becomes water
which is stored and is able to be used
for household and gardening purposes.
The solid waste is driven up using an
archimedes screw and coated in paraffin
wax for future, ‘pathogen-free’ disposal.
TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE
Pioneering research leading to flat screen television
Every time you look at your smartphone or
your flat screen television you are seeing
the work of academics at the University
of Dundee.
The technology that made the ubiquitous
LCD screen possible can be traced back
to a former jute shed at the university,
which in the 70s and 80s became the
world centre for pioneering research
in electronics. The research was led
by Professors Walter Spear and Peter
LeComber who were fascinated by the
potential of materials like solidified rare
gases to act as conductors for electrical
charge and their attention was drawn to
thin film amorphous silicon.
THEMES
Together with their students, they
developed new techniques that were
summarised in a breakthrough scientific
paper in 1975, where they demonstrated
that dramatic changes in conductivity
were possible.
They followed that with another world
first when the amorphous silicon thin
film transistor was announced. This was
demonstrated in the active matrix liquid
crystal display made jointly at RSRE (the
Royal Signals and Radar Establishment)
in Malvern. This device is found in virtually
every notebook display and mobile phone
screen in the world and forms the basis
of the multi-billion dollar market in flat
panel displays.
TECHNOLOGY
DURHAM UNIVERSITY
Repellent coatings for mobile devices
Use your mobile in the rain or drop it in
a puddle and it will probably still work.
You may take this for granted but millions
of mobile devices and other products are
protected by super-repellent coatings
invented at Durham University.
THEMES
TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Treating people exposed to chemical agents
As terror threats increased across the
globe, the UK and US governments
sought to determine the most effective
method of treating people who have
been exposed to chemical agents.
The US Department of Health and
Human Services asked the University
of Hertfordshire’s Toxicology Research
Group to study the decontamination
processes and translate the evidence
into clear policy guidance.
THEMES
The findings provided the scientific
evidence that underpins new operating
principles – the Initial Operational
Response – for emergency services in
what is known as a chemical, biological,
radiological, nuclear, or CBRN event.
TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
Discovery of genetic fingerprinting
Alec Jeffreys, part of the University of
Leicester’s Department of Genetics
from 1977 until his retirement in 2012,
discovered genetic fingerprinting, which
has become crucial in law enforcement
and detection. This eureka moment came
to him in 1984 when he had the realisation
that human DNA could produce consistent,
unique patterns and that these could
be used to not only identify individuals
but also indicate familial relationships.
Jeffreys’ involvement with a local double
murder case in 1986 made the public –
and police forces – aware of the forensic
capabilities of ‘DNA fingerprinting’, and
since then the technique has become
an essential tool in law enforcement
and detection. Nicknamed the ‘Father of
THEMES
Genetic Fingerprinting’, Jeffreys effected
global change through his landmark
discovery in 1984, revolutionising forensic
science, genealogy, crime and immigration
investigations, earning international
accolades and respect in the process. His legacy of world-class research and its
ability to change the world has not only
allowed the University of Leicester to
enhance its reputation, it has also provided
inspiration to generations of undergraduate
and postgraduate students, research
associates, peers as well as society.
TECHNOLOGY
LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Supporting start-ups
London Metropolitan University’s
specialist business incubator –
The Accelerator – brings together
entrepreneurs under one roof, allowing
them to share ideas and business advice. Based in Tech City in Shoreditch, east
London, it is also home to the university’s
student enterprise programmes, which
offers support, networks and resources
to students and graduates interested in
setting up their own business. Accelerator
has supported many successful start-ups
including Arctic Power Berries, whose
natural berry powders are now sold in
Harrods, Selfridges and Ocado; and TRIMIT, the first app-powered barber shop,
where you can book a luxury barber
van to come to your home.
THEMES
Since its creation 15 years ago, The
Accelerator has raised millions of pounds
to support startups and small businesses.
TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Development of the computer
In 1948, at the University of Manchester
‘the Baby’ became the first computer in
the world to run a program electronically
stored in its memory. Building on this
landmark event, the university went on to
attract the world’s best minds to this new
field of science.
These included Alan Turing, the Enigma
code-breaker who joined the university
in 1948. He helped take the story on to
the next stage with the development of
the Manchester University Mark 1, which
itself became the Ferranti Mark 1, the
world’s first commercially manufactured
computer. 70 years on, the legacy
of this work in Manchester is fundamental
to billions of lives.
THEMES
TECHNOLOGY
ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE
Observing the flight of mosquitoes to drive
the future of transport
Research conducted by the Royal
Veterinary College has revolutionised
the way in which animals’ aerodynamics
are being studied and is thought to have
practical implications for the design of
man-made vehicles in the future.
A team of researchers, including Richard
Bomphrey – Professor of Comparative
Biomechanics at the Royal Veterinary
College - conducted an in-depth
analysis into the flight of mosquitoes
using state-of-the art imaging, flow field
measurements and simulations.
This principle was then used by the
researchers to develop a working
prototype that can be used to develop
the ways in which helicopters and rotary
drones operate in the future. This will have
practical implications to autonomous air
vehicles and delivery systems over the
next decade.
The findings demonstrate how the
downward jets from wings could be
used as a sensory system for detecting
obstacles and avoiding collisions.
THEMES
TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
Optical fibres to enable the internet to span the world
Fifty years ago, the University of
Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research
Centre (ORC) received global recognition
for inventing one of the world’s first ultralow loss optical fibres before pioneering
the fibre amplifier that enabled the
internet to span the world.
This inspired innovation was recognised
by the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for
Higher and Further Education in 2017.
THEMES
Today, ORC optical fibre inventions
navigate airliners, cut steel and are found
on the moon, Mars and the International
Space Station. And now, through the
development of hollow-core fibres – the
next generation of optical fibres– the ORC
is bringing data transmission rates within
touching distance of the speed of light!
TECHNOLOGY
STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY
First UK university to offer a degree in esports
(electronic sports)
50 years ago, Staffordshire University
was one of the first universities to offer
a degree in computer science.
Today, computers have revolutionised
the world at every level, and the
university’s graduates have been part
of that revolution.
In September 2018 the university
became the first in the country to offer
an undergraduate degree in esports,
the practice of playing video games
competitively and supporting the multibillion pound industry surrounding it.
The university continues to recognise
the changes ahead and prepare people
for the future.
THEMES
TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE
The invention of television
Television was the technological
achievement of John Logie Baird, alumnus
of Strathclyde University’s precursor, the
Royal Technical College, where he studied
for a Diploma in Electrical Engineering.
His early experiments led to the broadcast
of a static image in 1924, which gained
international fame after its screening in
1926. By 1928, Baird Television Company
Ltd had made the first transatlantic
television transmission – from London
to New York – and produced the first
broadcast for the BBC.
THEMES
TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF SURREY
Laser research paving the way for the internet
Professor Alf Adams from the University
of Surrey is credited with being behind
one of the most important UK scientific
breakthroughs of all time – the strained
quantum well laser which helped to
pave the way for the internet.
Professor Adams discovered that if the
crystal lattice of this layer was grown
in such a way as to put it under strain,
it would lose its symmetry.
By doing this, more information can
be carried by the light energy.
Quantum well lasers are used in
everything from computers and optical
phone lines, to supermarket barcodes
and DVDs. Semiconductor lasers receive
electrical signals before turning them into
pulses of light. In a quantum well laser,
there is an extremely thin layer of semiconducting crystals in which the laser
light is generated.
THEMES
TECHNOLOGY
TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY
Digital innovation within the construction sector
Teesside University has led pioneering
research into the digitisation of the
construction industry, helping to transform
the way buildings are constructed.
Professor Nashwan Dawood has
developed 5D modelling, which has
been adopted across the UK, in South
Korea and Malaysia. 5D modelling is
about digitising the construction sector to
integrate 3D models of buildings within
construction schedules – boosting time
efficiency and cost management.
It enables the construction processes to
be rehearsed and clashes of different site
operations can be identified and resolved
before construction starts on site.
THEMES
TECHNOLOGY
NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY
Research into digital technology
and gambling addiction
Mark Griffiths, Distinguished Professor
of Behavioural Addiction at Nottingham
Trent University, is conducting important
research into technology addiction.
He and his team are exploring the
underlying factors that contribute
to some people – and not others –
developing psychological and behavioural
dependencies in relation to gaming,
gambling, social media and the internet.
GAM-GaRD, one of the tools codeveloped by Professor Griffiths to
reduce the risk of developing gambling
problems, is now used by more than
30 major gambling companies and
regulators worldwide. His work has
led to ‘video-gaming addiction’ being
recognised as a genuine disorder by
the World Health Organisation.
He has developed psychometric tools
to assess problematic and addictive
behaviours and designed prevention
strategies to minimise risk to vulnerable
people specifically.
THEMES
TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
Research into autonomous vehicles
Driverless autonomous vehicles are set
to revolutionise the future of transport
but they present significant challenges.
Researchers in WMG (formerly called the
Warwick Manufacturing Group) at the
University of Warwick are using a state-ofthe-art simulator – the first of its kind – to
test their safety before they hit the roads.
Using a laser scan of 30 miles of Coventry
roads, the simulator recreates real-world
situations, allowing the someone to sit in
the vehicle while it travels on a virtual trip
around the city, negotiating roundabouts,
lights and even pedestrians crossing
the street.
THEMES
TECHNOLOGY
WREXHAM GLYNDŴR UNIVERSITY
Assistive technology suite to support students
Wrexham Glyndŵr University is nationally
recognised for its inclusion services which
provides tailored support and educational
opportunities for people, regardless of
their background. Support includes a
specialised Assistive Technology
suite which provides specialist equipment
and support and training for students.
THEMES
TECHNOLOGY
From reducing the amount
of plastic in our oceans to
developing new technology
that turns urine into electricity,
UK academics are helping to
improve the environment,
both in Britain and the world.
THEMES
> Aberystwyth University
> University of Essex
> Northumbria University
> University of St Andrews
> University of Plymouth
> University of East Anglia
>University of
Gloucestershire
>Bangor University
> Goldsmiths
> University of Reading
> Brunel University London
> University of Greenwich
> University of Salford
>University of the West
of England (UWE Bristol)
> University of Leeds
> University of Winchester
> University of Derby
> University of East London
> De Montfort University
> University of Portsmouth
ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY
New varieties of grass to help the environment
There is science behind the green, green
grass of home. Science has led to the
production of new varieties of high sugar
grasses for feeding livestock with huge
environmental and economic benefits.
Greenhouse gas emissions from livestock
have been drastically reduced while at
the same time the yield from livestock
products has increased, so helping to
feed the world’s population.
The research has been carried out at the
Institute of Biological, Environmental and
Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University,
which celebrates 100 years of plant
breeding in 2019.
THEMES
Today almost a third of the perennial
ryegrass grown by UK farmers comes
from seed developed by Aberystwyth
University researchers, with varieties
including AberMagic, AberDart and
AberGreen also used internationally.
The development of these high sugar
grasses is just one example of how the
university’s scientists are combining
fundamental research on plant genetics
with plant breeding techniques to develop
new commercially viable plant varieties
that are designed to tackle the challenges
of food, water and energy security facing
communities across the world.
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
Protecting Scotland’s oceans
The Scottish Oceans Institute has brought
together over 300 staff from across the
University of St Andrews to promote
interdisciplinary marine research, ensuring
Scotland remains at the forefront of
marine science.
Seeing the oceans as a rich resource
for future human life, the collaboration
has identified a marine invertebrate
which can regenerate major body parts,
which may unlock new understandings
of regenerative medicine and stem
cell research.
THEMES
They have improved fish welfare and
reduced the number of porpoise being
accidently caught by 90% around the
UK coast.
This work was awarded the Queen’s
Anniversary prize in 2011 for excellence
in research supporting better governance
of the ocean and improved monitoring of
climate change.
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA
Tracking climate change
The University of East Anglia is home to
one of the leading institutions involved
in the research of climate change. The
Climatic Research Unit was founded
in 1972 and is responsible for keeping
measure of the weather around the world
and compiling temperature records from
more than 5,500 weather stations globally
to see how climates are changing.
By trawling ships’ logs, people’s diaries
dating back 750 years, and other evidence
dating back as far as AD 800, they are
able to find out what climates were like
before widespread temperature records
began in 1856, and give valuable insight
that help with weather predictions and
global warming research.
By studying what the climate was like
hundreds, thousands and even millions
of years ago by measuring changes in
fossils, tree rings and ice cores, scientists
can track changes in the climate.
THEMES
ENVIRONMENT
BANGOR UNIVERSITY
Helping farmers in Nepal and India
Research by Professor John Witcombe at
Bangor University led to the creation of
10 new rice varieties which have brought
huge benefits for farmers in Nepal
and India and has helped improve the
livelihoods of over five million households.
These varieties of rice are superior in their
taste, drought tolerance and have high
pest-resistance properties.
THEMES
They are grown on at least 500,000
hectares and provide up to 40% yield
advantage over the traditionally grown
varieties. It is estimated that two of the
rice varieties – known as Ashoka – are
providing benefits of £17 million annually
to the poorest farming households in
India.
ENVIRONMENT
BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON
Exposure to chemicals
Brunel University London has a long
history of ground-breaking research into
the exposure of people and wildlife to
chemicals in the environment, which has
changed government attitudes and policy
globally. Brunel’s researchers revealed
the link between chemicals in rivers
and the reproductive health of aquatic
life, with the endocrine systems of fish
disrupted by synthetic female hormones
from contraceptive pills that pass through
sewage treatment works. This and other
research significantly influenced European
legislation banning the discharge of
hormone-disrupting (and other) chemicals
into wastewater.
THEMES
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND
(UWE BRISTOL)
Turning urine into electricity
New technology developed at UWE
Bristol that converts urine into electricity
has the potential to transform the lives of
millions of people in the developing world.
The innovative PEE POWER® system can
turn organic matter, such as urine and
other types of wastewater, into enough
electricity to power lighting or charge
mobile phones. At the same time, it
sanitises the urine and produces plant
fertilizer as a natural by-product.
THEMES
The technology has been successfully
trialled in urinals at Glastonbury Festival
and used to provide lighting for toilet
blocks in schools in Africa with limited
access to electricity. It is hoped that the
system could eventually be installed
in refugee camps, slums and hospitals.
It has the potential to improve safety
and sanitation for people in areas without
access to mains power or sewagenetworked sanitation.
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF DERBY
Improving our wellbeing through nature
The University of Derby’s Nature
Connectedness Research Group, led by
Miles Richardson, Professor of Human
Factors and Nature Connectedness, was
the first in the country to focus on people’s
sense of their relationship with the natural
world and how this can influence their
wellbeing and conservation behaviours.
2018 has been a very significant year
for the group, with a number of
high-profile activities.
THEMES
The National Trust adopted their
Pathways to Nature Connection research
to inform visitor engagement with their
four million members and 25 million
visitors. The research emphasises the
need for a new form of relationship with
nature, based on noticing nature’s beauty,
positive emotions, finding meaning and
showing compassion.
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
Research to increase major food crops
Research for the University of Essex is
hoping to help feed the world in the
future. In partnership with Lancaster
University and Rothamstad Research,
researchers have developed wheat plants
that can carry out photosynthesis much
more efficiently, meaning the plants
produce crops at a faster rate.
Scientists from the university have also
found a way to increase the production
of a common, naturally occurring protein
in plant leaves, which could increase the
yields of major food crops by almost 50%.
This could be vital to feeding the world’s
growing population in the decades ahead.
THEMES
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Research into house spiders
Researchers at the University of
Gloucestershire have shed light on when
and where UK house spiders are most
likely to be found indoors by analysing the
biggest data set ever gathered on these
species by the public.
Despite not always receiving the warmest
of welcomes, spiders are frequently spotted
within UK households from late autumn
onwards, with this influx often being
referred to as the annual ‘spider season’.
THEMES
Researchers at the university and the
Royal Society of Biology analysed the
data, collected via a free mobile phone
app. They found that spider sightings
peaked around mid-September, with
most sightings occurring around 7:30
in the evening.
Although many people are not fans of
the spider, these creatures are in fact an
important part of the ecosystem, keeping
other invertebrate populations in check
and encouraging biodiversity.
ENVIRONMENT
GOLDSMITHS,
UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Monitoring pollution
The Citizen Sense project from Goldsmiths
gives people the tools they need to
collect data about their local environment.
As part of the project funded by the
European Research Council, people were
shown how to use specially-designed
low-tech ‘Dustbox’ sensors to monitor
the pollution they were exposed to in
their everyday lives. Residents using
these sensors collected data suggesting
that air pollution levels in South East
London reached six times the WHO limit
throughout 2017.
THEMES
Their findings also suggested that
previously overlooked sources of pollution
such as urban regeneration and river
traffic could be contributing to poor air
quality. These results led to questions
being asked in Parliament and were used
by campaigners to advocate for more
government action to improve London’s
air quality. The Citizen Sense team went
on to test how green spaces can combat
pollution and developed a toolkit detailing
which plants are best at indicating or
reducing harmful pollutants.
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH
Tackling food shortages in the developing world
The University of Greenwich’s Natural
Resources Institute is changing lives
around the world. Cassava is a staple
food for over half a billion people in the
developing world, forming the basis of
their diet and keeping them ‘food secure’.
But up to 40% of produce is lost due to
its short shelf life.
The work has supported nearly 500 rural
enterprises and benefitted an estimated
200,000 households and has the
potential to improve the lives of millions.
Two of the university’s award-winning
projects focus on this important root crop.
Researchers developed the NRI Cassava,
with built-in curing technology, to extend
the shelf life of cassava to over eight days;
and its Cassava Adding Value project
supports farmers with new technologies,
training and market links, enabling them
to increase their incomes.
THEMES
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Measuring Antarctic ice melt
International research led by the
University of Leeds and the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory shows that Antarctic ice is
melting faster than ever before.
The rate of melting from the Antarctic
ice sheet has tripled in the last five
years. Professor Andrew Shepherd at the
University of Leeds and Dr Erik Ivins at
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory led a team
of 84 scientists from around the world to
produce the most complete picture of
Antarctic change since records began
in the 1990s.
THEMES
The authors combined 24 satellite surveys
of the continent in a project supported
by the European Space Agency (ESA) and
the US National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA). Prior to 2012,
Antarctica lost ice at a steady rate of 76
billion tonnes per year – a 0.2 mm per year
contribution to sea level rise. This research
shows there has been a sharp, threefold
increase, with ice sheets losses pushing
sea levels up by a 0.6 mm per year.
The change is due to ocean melting of ice
in West Antarctica and ice shelf collapse
at the Antarctic Peninsula – which are
both signals of global climate change.
ENVIRONMENT
DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY
Building houses from plastic bottles
Students at De Montfort University are
using sand-filled plastic bottles as bricks
to build new homes in poorer parts of
Nigeria. The ‘bottle brick’ technology
provides a cost-effective, environmentallyfriendly alternative to conventional
building bricks.
The sand-filled bottles are also 20 times
stronger than normal bricks and are
ideally suited to the hot Nigerian climate
because the sand insulates them from
the sun’s heat, helping to keep room
temperatures low.
THEMES
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON
Helping to increase energy efficiency
University of East London’s Dr Rabih
Bashroush is playing a key role in helping
societies use energy more efficiently and
make the future more environmentally
friendly. A team of experts worked across
seven European countries to assess 350
public sector data centres as part of the
EU Resource Efficiency Coordination
Action (EURECA) project – helping to
maintain data centres in the most energy
efficient way possible.
It is estimated the project has helped save
45 gigawatt hours of energy a year and up
to €5 million of annual cost savings.
THEMES
ENVIRONMENT
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY
Analysing an Antarctic glacier
Northumbria University academics are
analysing an Antarctic glacier, almost
the size of Britain, to predict how it will
behave over the next century.
While the rate at which the Thwaites
Glacier is moving and melting has
increased in recent years, there is
currently no major cause for concern.
However, should it start moving more
quickly, or a portion were to collapse,
oceans around the world could rise by
three to five metres.
This would fundamentally change the
world’s geography and displace millions
of people. In a major US-UK jointly funded
project, researchers from the university,
led by Professor Hilmar Gudmundsson,
THEMES
along with academics in California,
Massachusetts and Edinburgh, will spend
the next five years analysing historical
satellite data to detail the glacier’s past
movements. They will also use brand
new information currently being collected
by academics and the British Antarctic
Survey to predict the glacier’s future
movements, and if and when a major ice
collapse could occur.
By sharing these findings around the
world, governments will be able to plan
major infrastructure projects such as
flood defences.
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
Reducing marine plastic litter
The majority of the litter found on
shorelines, sea surface and which is
affecting marine life is plastic. It has
been estimated that up to 12 million
tonnes of plastic litter could be entering
the ocean every year.
The University of Plymouth’s International
Marine Litter Research Unit stands at
the forefront of this research, as the first
to reveal the widespread occurrence of
microscopic particles of plastic debris in
the marine environment – pieces which
they described as ‘microplastics’ back
in 2004.
THEMES
They have advised governments and
international organisations worldwide,
continuing to research not only the extent
of the problem, but also the solutions with
Professor Richard Thompson, who leads
the research, receiving an OBE last year
for his work in 2017.
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH
A new enzyme to help plastic bottles break down faster
Plastic pollution is reaching crisis level.
Of the one million plastic bottles sold
every minute across the globe, only
14% are recycled.
Their modified version of the PETase
enzyme – first discovered in a Japanese
waste dump in 2016 – starts breaking
down plastic in days.
A huge part of the problem is the strong
plastic used in drinks bottles: polyethylene
terephthalate (PET). It currently takes
hundreds of years for PET to break
down naturally in the environment. But
now a team, led by the University of
Portsmouth’s Professor John McGeehan
and Dr Gregg Beckham of the US
Department of Energy, has created a new
mutant enzyme that breaks down plastic
bottles faster.
The discovery could revolutionise the
recycling process and help solve one of
the planet’s biggest environmental issues.
A patent for the enzyme has been filed,
and now Professor McGeehan and team
are working on improving it for industrial
use, as a sustainable recycling solution.
THEMES
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF READING
Safeguarding chocolate
Chocolate has a safer future thanks to the
University of Reading. Almost all the live
cocoa plant material that is sent around
the world passes through the International
Cocoa Quarantine Centre, a climate
controlled facility which is owned and
operated by the university.
At the centre, the plants are monitored to
make sure they are safe from diseases or
pests before they are grown extensively
as crops in countries around the world.
THEMES
The clean plants are used by growers to
develop new varieties that are disease
resistant, have higher yields and are
tolerant to climate change. This protects
chocolate production and the livelihoods
of millions of cocoa farmers around the
world – and means we can enjoy the sweet
taste of chocolate for years to come.
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
Improving energy efficiency
Energy House at the University of Salford
is the only testing facility of its kind in the
world aimed at developing initiatives to
save on energy bills. The facility, a fullyfurnished Victorian terraced house inside
an environmental chamber, has been
designed to allow leading academics and
researchers to conduct scientific research
to improve energy efficiency.
The environmental chamber in which the
Energy House is built can replicate almost
all weather conditions and both the house
and chamber are packed with a vast array
of sensors that can monitor a wide range
of variables.
THEMES
ENVIRONMENT
UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER
Cutting waste by using recycled chewing gum
to create reusable coffee cups
The University of Winchester has
prioritised sustainability and is currently
using recycled chewing gum from
campus to create free reusable coffee
cups for students and staff.
The recycled chewing gum accounts
for 20% of the cup, the rest is made
from other recycled plastics. Instead
of offering a discount for those using a
reusable coffee cup, the university has
implemented a 25p surcharge for those
using a disposable one, finding that the
psychological impact of a surcharge
is more effective.
THEMES
In its first year, the campaign resulted
in over 35,000 fewer single-use cups
being used on campus, with an increase
of 900% in reusable coffee cups.
The data revealed that if 33% of drinks
were sold in reusable cups in the UK –
mirroring the sales on campus – 825
million disposable cups could be saved
per year.
ENVIRONMENT
Baby buggies for the visually
impaired; singing workshops
to help mothers with postnatal
depression; and supporting
male victims of domestic
violence – families up and
down the country benefit from
the work of UK academics.
THEMES
> University of Bedfordshire
> Regent’s University London
> University of Bristol
> Royal College of Music
> University of Chichester
> University of Central Lancashire
> University of Cumbria
> University of Sussex
> University of Hull
> Ulster University
> Imperial College London
> University of Wales Trinity St Davids
UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE
Research into the sexual exploitation of children
The University of Bedfordshire
has pioneered research into child
sexual exploitation, leading to better
safeguarding and protection of children.
Research carried out by its international
centre into child sexual exploitation,
violence and trafficking, has helped to
change perceptions of these children so
they are seen as victims of child abuse.
THEMES
They have also worked with welfare
agencies to ensure that these children
are safeguarded rather than criminalised
through the youth justice systems.
Working with partners in government,
funders, service providers and voluntary
agencies, this research has resulted in
changes to government guidance,
with professionals better supported
to identify and respond to abuse.
FAMILY
UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Cutting the rate of cot death
In the mid-1980s the number of babies
dying from Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS) had increased in many
countries, but no one knew why.
Peter Fleming, Professor of Infant Health
and Development Physiology at the
University of Bristol, had begun the
Avon Cot death study when he read a
Dutch report indicating that the risk of
cot death was higher when babies slept
on their front.
THEMES
Fleming analysed the Avon data and it
revealed that 93% of the babies who had
died had been sleeping on their front.
In 1991, after a second study, Fleming
partnered with television presenter Anne
Diamond and the government to launch a
highly successful Back to Sleep campaign.
The research is thought to have saved
the lives of 20,000 babies across the UK,
and changed parenting advice across
the world.
FAMILY
UNIVERSITY OF CHICHESTER
Rock star drumming to help autistic children
Scientists at the University of Chichester
have found that drumming for just 60
minutes a week can improve autistic
children’s ability to learn in school.
Observations of the lessons also
highlighted significant improvements in
dexterity, rhythm, and timing. Following
each session, delivered by drumming
tutors using electronic drum kits, teachers
evaluated behavioural changes within
the students.
The project showed that students who took
part in two 30-minute lessons were more
likely to follow their teachers’ instructions
Lead researcher Dr Marcus Smith said:
and displayed improved social interactions
between peers and staff.
“Rock drumming as a potent intervention
for individuals experiencing brain disorders,
The 10-week investigation, which saw the
such as autism, is fascinating. This project
involvement of Blondie’s iconic drummer
has demonstrated the positive impact on
Clem Burke, aimed to demonstrate the
pupils’ health and wellbeing.”
value of the musical instrument to pupils
requiring additional education support.
THEMES
FAMILY
UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA
Understanding male domestic violence
The university has shone a light onto the
previously little-known issue of male
domestic violence in the UK. The resulting
research has brought the issue to the
public’s attention and has also contributed
to a government inquiry on hidden
victims of interpersonal violence, further
highlighting the changes needed to tackle
this invisible problem.
THEMES
FAMILY
UNIVERSITY OF HULL
Improving the mental health of new mothers
The University of Hull is helping to ensure
pregnant women and new parents get the
best care possible when it comes to their
mental health.
Julie Jomeen, Professor of Midwifery,
has led researchers and specialist nurses
from the region’s NHS trust to provide
a better service for women and their
families. Their work, which was reflected
in the first National Institute for Health
and Care Excellence guidelines relating
to mental health for pregnant women
and new mothers, has been hailed as
transformational.
THEMES
The model for helping GPs and midwives
to predict, detect and manage mental
health problems has now been adopted
in other areas of the UK. Research
continues to evaluate why some women
miss mental health appointments during
pregnancy and in the first year of their
child’s life, and how best to address
this issue.
FAMILY
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
Smart baby buggy for the visually impaired
Sight-impaired people could have an
easier and safer way to get around
with their children and young family
after Imperial College London students
joined forces with local resident Ramona
Williams to develop a ‘smart baby
buggy’. After Ramona, who has a sight
impairment, explained to students how
difficult it was for her to use a cane
and push a buggy at the same time,
bioengineering students designed a
potential solution by applying special
sensors to a baby buggy. Technology
developed for self-driving cars, combined
with ultrasound sensors, warns the
buggy’s user about moving vehicles,
pedestrians, curbs and drop-offs
through vibrations in the handlebar.
THEMES
Additionally, a smartphone app has been
designed by the students to identify
further hazards and road features.
Users simply need to install the app on
their smartphone and then put it into a
special holder on the base of the buggy.
The app uses the smartphone’s camera
to recognise vehicles, humans, plus
landmarks such as signs, braille bumps
and corners and tells the user through
their headphones.
Additionally, the buggy has a bracket
for holding the user’s cane, and a bright
yellow ‘visually impaired parent’ sign on its
front to alert oncoming traffic and people.
FAMILY
REGENT’S UNIVERSITY LONDON
Psychological support for women with breast cancer
Dr Reem Alsulaiman, a PhD graduate
in counselling and psychotherapy from
Regent’s University London and a board
certified cancer genetic counsellor, is
changing the lives of women diagnosed
with cancer. She offers patients and
their families psychological support
and teaches them several methods to
cope with their diagnoses and/or carrier
status before making necessary referrals
through a multidisciplinary approach.
THEMES
Working at the National Centre of
Cancer Care and Research in Qatar,
Dr Alsulaiman focuses on exploring
women’s experience with breast cancer
and the benefit of crisis counselling and
psycho-education for those in the early
stages of the disease. She provides risk
assessment of hereditary predisposition
based on personal and family histories
and counsels patients on genetics and
hereditary syndromes, in addition to
ordering appropriate genetic testing and
interpreting genetic test results.
FAMILY
ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC
Singing workshops to help mothers
with post-natal depression
Researchers from the Royal College of
Music, Imperial and University College
London have discovered that group
singing ‘with baby’ could speed up
recovery for women with moderate to
severe post-natal depression, affecting
one in eight women.
After 10 weeks of being in a singing
group, mothers with moderate to severe
symptoms of post-natal depression
reported a much faster improvement in
their symptoms when compared with
other groups receiving other kinds of care.
THEMES
FAMILY
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Improving local oral health
The university’s School of Dentistry,
which opened 10 years ago, is having
a big impact on the local community.
One of only two new dental schools to
be created in England for over 100 years,
its students have treated more than
23,000 patients during their training and
the school has produced 251 new dentists
who have expanded the region’s dental
workforce considerably.
THEMES
The students gain their experience in local
community Dental Education Centres
rather than in city centre hospitals.
These centres were established in areas
of high need and poor oral health where
access to NHS dentistry was limited, in
part, owing to difficulties in attracting
qualified dentists to the area.
FAMILY
UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX
Understanding children’s mental health
Research led by Professor Gordon
Harold at the University of Sussex has
fundamentally shifted the government’s
approach to child mental health.
His research has compellingly dismantled
the idea that children are affected only by
their genes. Instead his research shows
the positive impact of good parenting
and healthy relationships between
parents, whether married, living together
or genetically related. He works with
families of adopted children, families
where children have been born through
assisted reproductive techniques such
as IVF, and those where parents are
divorced or separated.
THEMES
FAMILY
ULSTER UNIVERSITY
Helping paralysed people to communicate
Professor Damien Coyle has created a
futuristic headset that helps paralysed
patients communicate with their families
using their thoughts.
Using non-invasive wearable
neurotechnology to measure and
translate brainwaves into control signals,
the headset uses advanced algorithms to
enable people to interact with technology
and communicate without moving.
This has applications in rehabilitation,
diagnostics, augmentative and
assistive communication devices
and entertainment.
THEMES
FAMILY
UNIVERSITY OF WALES
TRINITY ST DAVIDS
Supporting children with neurological conditions
The Assistive Technologies Innovation
Centre (ATiC), combines creativity and
practice-based research to support
medical companies and healthcare
charities. ATiC has an established
partnership with Cerebra, a leading
research charity working to support
children with neurological conditions.
The team has developed several bespoke
product design solutions to enable
children to play, increase their mobility
and to make family life easier.
THEMES
Over 10 years, the team has developed
many bespoke products to aid the
daily living challenges of children with
conditions such as autism and cerebral
palsy. These include a stable canoe and
a running/cycling wheelchair to enable
children to take part in triathlons; and a
scanning and moulding process to enable
the manufacture of a bespoke helmet to
make horse riding accessible.
FAMILY
Universities help to create
fairer communities where
everyone, regardless of their
background, can benefit from
education, employment and
cultural opportunities.
THEMES
> Bath Spa University
> The University of Bradford
> University of Buckingham
> Buckinghamshire New University
>Canterbury Christ Church University
> Cardiff University
> University of Chester
> Coventry University
> Heriot-Watt University
> Glasgow Caledonian University
> Guildhall School of Music and Drama
> Falmouth University
> University of the Highlands and Islands
>Kingston University London
>Royal Holloway,
University of London
> Lancaster University
> Leeds Beckett
> Leeds Trinity
> Liverpool Hope University
> Liverpool John Moores University
> University of the Arts London
> King’s College London
> London School Economics
> London South Bank University
> Loughborough University
> Manchester Metropolitan University
> Norwich University of the Arts
> The Open University
> Queen Mary University of London
> University of Roehampton
> Royal College of Art
> The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
> University of Suffolk
> University of Sunderland
> University of Wolverhampton
> University of Worcester
> York St John University
BATH SPA UNIVERSITY
Helping children to thrive in school
Most young people enjoy life and are
successful in school but a significant
minority struggle. A child’s ability to learn
is shaped by very early experiences. If,
for whatever reason, they do not form
strong emotional attachments with
parents or carers early on, they can
become unfocused, disruptive and even
destructive. Often, they can end up being
punished or even excluded.
Little that schools do seems to work.
Bath Spa’s Attachment Aware Schools
programme brings together schools and
specialist trainers to create calmer and
more nurturing learning communities
in which all children and young people receive the support they need to thrive.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
Improving lives affected by dementia
The University of Bradford plays a vital
role in caring for people with dementia
through the development of personcentred research.
DCMTM provides practitioners with a
common framework and language to
record the experience of care from the
perspective of the person with dementia.
This kind of research – first developed at the
university – is central to the transformation
of care for dementia sufferers. This research
formed the basis for the development
of the observational tool and practice
development methodology, Dementia Care
Mapping (DCMTM).
The National Institute for Health and
Care Excellence has drawn extensively
on research carried out at the university
in its guidelines on supporting people
with dementia. The National Audit Office
also cites this research and uses it as a
measure of quality of life.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
PHOTO: CATHY GREENBLAT
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEW UNIVERSITY
Supporting students from all backgrounds
Throughout its 125-year history,
Buckinghamshire New University has
changed lives through employmentfocused and skills-based teaching which
enables students from a wide range of
backgrounds to achieve their ambitions.
The university works closely with the
students’ union to offer all students the
‘Big Deal’ – an opportunity to take part
in a wide range of activities all free
of charge.
THEMES
Big Deal activities include events
and entertainment, additional skills
workshops, sports, recreational activities
and societies. An analysis of the initiative
showed that 88% of students felt
participating in Big Deal activities had
improved their employability. The survey
also showed that those who engaged
with the Students’ Union enjoyed
a 3% higher progression rate when
compared with other students.
COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF BUCKINGHAM
Scholarships for aspiring teachers
As one of the leading providers of
teacher training in the country, the
university’s School of Education launched
a scholarship scheme last year offering
20 fully-funded qualifications to state
schools in the county.
The qualifications represented an
investment of over £100,000. The latest
funding allocations from the Department
for Education place Buckinghamshire
schools in the bottom 10% of funding per
pupil. Despite rising amounts of money
going into schools, spending per pupil
is set to fall in real terms by 8% between
2014 and 2020.
THEMES
This is the first time since the mid-1990s
that school funding has fallen in real
terms. The scholarship scheme means
that despite this challenging financial
environment, local schools can invest in
their staff, providing them with first-class
training for teachers and the opportunity
to gain Master’s level qualifications in
education or school leadership.
COMMUNITY
CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY
Research into the benefits of singing
For over a decade, the Sidney De Haan
Research Centre for Arts and Health at
Canterbury Christ Church University has
conducted research into the benefits of
singing on the quality of life and wellbeing
of individuals and communities.
The centre hopes that this research will
have applications for, among other areas,
the treatment of mild dementia.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Community project to strengthen local ties
Cardiff University’s award-winning
Community Gateway is helping to make
the diverse Cardiff district of Grangetown
a better place to live and work.
Grangetown also has an annual mental
health day event, arts therapy programmes,
a citizen scientists programme and a safety
week involving the emergency services.
Working closely with community partners
Grangetown Community Action and
Grange Pavilion Project, it is helping to
strengthen relationships with Grangetown
residents. Projects so far have included the
award-winning Grangetown Youth Forum;
a regular Grangetown Business Forum
which led to the launch of Grangetown’s
first World Street Market; and a research
project to identify the needs of the Somali
communities in Grangetown.
A major piece of work has been the
renovation of a vacant bowls pavilion
to trial community-led activities. This
includes the launch of the locally-run
community-focused Hideout Café,
which hosts a monthly Culture Café
aimed at bringing the communities of
Grangetown closer together through
discussion and debate.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER
Transforming professional development
in the workplace
The University of Chester is transforming
professional development in the
workplace and supporting people from a
wide variety of backgrounds and careers
to gain, or enhance, their qualifications.
For over 20 years, its Work Based and
Integrative Studies (WBIS) framework
has led the way, developing corporate
educational programmes (including
degrees, Master’s and PhDs) which respond
to employers’ needs and give organisations
the tools for in-house training.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
COVENTRY UNIVERSITY
Support for people living with
long-term health conditions
The Help to Overcome Problems
Effectively (HOPE) initiative has been
created to support people living with
and affected by long term conditions
including cancer, dementia, autism
and multiple sclerosis.
The programme includes a range of
activities designed to improve confidence,
resilience and happiness, and reduce
feelings of depression and anxiety.
HOPE was developed by two leading
health experts at Coventry University –
Professor Andy Turner, a health
THEMES
psychologist, and Dave McHattie, a
research fellow – and has seen the
university team up with Macmillan
Cancer Support to help people
following their cancer treatment.
Over 5,000 people in Coventry,
Warwickshire and further afield
have now benefitted from the
programme. The project has also inspired
the Gratitude Wall – a large mobile
chalkboard in which members of the
public write down what they are grateful
for. The chalkboard has toured music
festivals, community events, museums,
and university sites to help boost
people’s happiness.
COMMUNITY
HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY
Revolutionising help for the homeless
Heriot-Watt University’s Institute for
Social Policy, Housing, Equalities
Research (I-SPHERE) uses global
research to drive change for people
affected by extreme disadvantage.
I-SPHERE’s state-of-the-nation
Homelessness Monitor provides an
authoritative analysis of the homelessness
impacts of economic and policy
developments for each of the four
UK countries.
THEMES
Conceived by Professor Suzanne
Fitzpatrick in collaboration with homeless
charity Crisis, it has been pivotal in
pioneering new homelessness prevention
legislation (Homelessness Reduction
Act 2017), securing an overhaul of official
homelessness statistics in England,
inspiring an Australian Homelessness
Monitor and driving local authority
homelessness strategies.
COMMUNITY
GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY
Changing children’s future aspirations
The Caledonian Club is an initiative
designed to widen access, which
was established in 2008 by Glasgow
Caledonian University to support and raise
educational aspirations. It has has enabled
young people in five communities across
Glasgow to develop life skills and build
their confidence.
These communities serve largely deprived
neighbourhoods, which were identified as
having particularly low progression rates
to further and higher education.
THEMES
The club now operates in London with
another one planned to open in New York. In the academic year 2015-16, over 2,300
pupils and over 400 parents directly
participated in Caledonian Club activities –
90% expressed an increase in confidence,
92% had a better understanding of
university and 68% of pupils reported
that they aspired to go to university.
COMMUNITY
GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF
MUSIC AND DRAMA
Community creative learning
The Messengers is a project which sees
people from vastly different backgrounds
find a common purpose in writing and
performing music together.
It brings together students from the
Guildhall School of Music and Drama and
students from the St Mungo’s Recovery
College. The project is facilitated by the
Guildhall School’s joint Creative Learning
department with the Barbican.
THEMES
The project aims to provide music
students with the opportunity to learn
how to work in a range of settings and
enable the charity for the homeless to
give their students opportunities that will
strengthen social skills and boost their
confidence.
The Messengers gather at particular times
each year to write songs and perform in
intensive projects over 3 days.
COMMUNITY
FALMOUTH UNIVERSITY
Post-graduate business development programme
Launchpad is Falmouth University’s
post-graduate business incubation and
acceleration programme. This programme
links academic study with enterprise
to create new digital businesses, in just
12 months. Underpinned by an MA in
Entrepreneurship, Launchpad places
students into teams that build, develop
and incorporate their own company
in partnership with global businesses,
supported by a network of academic staff,
business coaches and industry mentors.
One of the key objectives of the
programme is the development of the
regional economy. The programme
will create 526 new jobs and 65 new
companies in Cornwall within five years.
THEMES
In 2018, Launchpad teams responded
to challenges from partners Amazon,
Pendennis and BBC Worldwide to develop
exciting new products and services.
Two businesses to come out of the
programme are Hertzian, an artificial
intelligence development company
focusing on building applications that
help users understand large volumes
of customer feedback, and Glas Data,
who have created a data ecosystem,
FarmHand, designed to support better
productivity and profitability in the
agricultural sector.
COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF THE
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS
State of the art community access
Using a £9m award from the
UK government, the University of the
Highlands and Islands will collaborate
in a city-region deal to establish
commercialisation, academic and clinical
capacity to deliver projects in health,
social care and life sciences.
A custom-built facility on Inverness
campus will operate as a flexible open
access unit, supporting interaction
between the health service, the academic
sector and commercial partners.
THEMES
Resulting projects will generate new
products and services, business start-ups
and licensing deals, as well as service
quality improvements and new models
for clinical delivery for the NHS.
A key focus is to expand the range and
scope of the commercial life science
sector in the Highlands and Islands,
providing the infrastructure and personnel
to draw in new investment and create jobs.
COMMUNITY
KINGSTON UNIVERSITY
Supporting students from diverse backgrounds
Kingston University aims to produce
graduates who not only excel in their
chosen careers, but also make a positive
impact in the world. Through its outreach
schemes, Kingston University works with
over 300 schools and colleges across
Greater London and Surrey. Activities
such as its STEM Lab in a Lorry give
students the opportunity to get a handson experience of what it might be like to
study at university and help raise their
aspirations for achieving a degree.
THEMES
Kingston University has programmes
that support students throughout their
time at university, from the moment
they apply to when they start and until
graduation and beyond into the working
world. With a diverse student body, and
with more than half of its students being
the first in their family to go to university,
Kingston’s inclusive curriculum ensures
that, whatever their background, every
student is given the best possible chance
to succeed at university.
COMMUNITY
ROYAL HOLLOWAY,
UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Research into why car accidents happen
Research at Royal Holloway, University
of London, has been used to support
successful campaigns for 20mph
zones and to test a different motorcycle
lighting system to increase night-time
safety. The psychology department
at the university looked at why adults
and children sometimes make errors in
their everyday road judgement, despite
advances in vehicle technology and road
infrastructure. Using virtual road scenes
and brain imaging, researchers looked at
the limitations of the perceptual systems
we use to make these judgements.
Key findings found that accurate
judgements of oncoming vehicle speed
improved during childhood, but primary
school children are still not making adultlike judgements. There also appeared to
be a decline in speed judgements over
THEMES
the age of 75 years, which is in line with
the higher incidence of junction accidents
in the 75+ age group. The research also
identified why it is particularly problematic
for drivers to judge the approach speed of
motorcycles or bicycles, particularly with
night-time lighting.
The solution will be to integrate knowledge
of human perceptual limitations into all
our road systems. Now, thanks to the
research, local authorities are using the
findings to positively impact road safety,
such as reviews on speed limits in urban
areas. The research is also being used
in ongoing advisory input to a major
car manufacturer on driver assistance
systems, and was cited in a parliamentary
debate that reversed cuts to road crossing
patrols for children.
COMMUNITY
LANCASTER UNIVERSITY
Village life transformed with online network
Wray in Lancashire was the first village in
the UK to benefit from wifi broadband in
2003 and was the first village to get hispeed broadband in 2010 – thanks to the
work at Lancaster University. The village
had been campaigning for broadband
to be made available to their community
for some time, but without success. The
village’s remote location meant that the
only option for internet access was a
dial-up service. In 2003, a new research
project was established that involved the
university and the community building
a new wireless mesh testbed within
the village.
THEMES
As a result of the project, around 100
rural businesses are now online and 230
families enjoy free internet access after
years of not being connected. The scheme tackled loneliness, enabled
businesses to thrive and has led to an
increase in community cohesion as the
project resulted in the creation of a locally
owned charity which went on to establish
further research projects in the area.
COMMUNITY
LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY
New centre for the city’s most
disadvantaged community
Project Office is a RIBA-chartered design
and research collaboration between
staff and student. It produces ethical,
social and resilient architecture which
has helped to redesign the New Wortley
Community Centre.
Offering drug rehabilitation, a launderette,
a charity shop, IT and skills classes,
back-to-work volunteering opportunities,
and health and wellbeing classes, the
centre plays a pivotal role for the most
disadvantaged community in Leeds.
THEMES
The project has provided opportunities
for employment and volunteering and
has also created a programme for exoffenders, which in its first year worked
with 150 offenders leaving HMP Leeds.
Of those 150 participants, only seven have
returned to prison, a reoffending rate of
just 5% compared to the prison average
of 34%.
COMMUNITY
LEEDS TRINITY UNIVERSITY
The development of degree apprenticeships
Leeds Trinity works in close partnership
with employers across all sectors and
has been at the forefront of developing
Degree Apprenticeships in West Yorkshire.
Apprenticeships at Leeds Trinity are aimed
at both new and existing employees,
and combine part-time study with
workplace training. They are designed in
collaboration with employers to attract
and retain talent, to upskill workforces
and to fill higher level skill gaps.
Apprenticeship, Chartered Manager
Professional Practice in Leadership and
Management Degree Apprenticeship
and Children, Young People and Families
Manager Higher Apprenticeship. Five
further Degree Apprenticeships are
currently in development - Academic
Professional, Senior Leader, Police
Constable and Digital Technology
Solutions and Digital Marketer.
In October 2018, Leeds Trinity welcomed
96 apprentices on five Apprenticeship
programmes: Teacher Degree
Apprenticeship, Supply Chain Leadership
Professional Degree Apprenticeship,
Business to Business Sales Degree
THEMES
COMMUNITY
LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY
Measuring the social impact of Everton Football Club
The Socio-Economic and Applied
Research for Change Research Centre at
Liverpool Hope University is measuring
the social impact that Everton Football
Club’s charitable work is having within
Liverpool. The collaboration has enabled
the club to better allocate resources to
places that really need it.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY
The Intergenerational Café:
bringing the old and young together
The Intergenerational Café, founded by
Liverpool John Moores University, is a
programme that sees older people pass
on traditional skills to young people.
A very simple concept, the project brings
together a community’s older population,
who are often at risk of social isolation,
with local parents and children to learn
how to cook, bake, fix bicycles, sew and
knit. Part of its appeal are the mutual
benefits that develop as a result of the
interactions between the young and old.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON
Helping refugee journalists
At the London College of Communication,
part of the University of the Arts London,
The Refugee Journalism Project supports
refugee and exiled journalists to relaunch
their careers in the UK. These journalists
may have been editors, correspondents
and producers in their own countries,
but they face significant barriers when
attempting to continue their career in
the UK.
First launched in 2016, the scheme has
supported 35 journalists from countries
such as Syria, Iraq and Sudan through
mentorship schemes, workshops on
UK media law, securing placements
and networking.
The core aims are to help refugee
journalists become better connected
within the UK industry, increase their
confidence and update their journalistic
skills. It also strives to give these people a
voice within the media, helping to address
the mainstream bias on migrant issues.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
KING’S COLLEGE LONDON
Education opportunities for refugees
There are currently 60 million refugees
fleeing Syria and other conflict zones,
the biggest humanitarian crisis since
the Second World War with the
loss of education for over 1.1 million
young people.
King’s College London (KCL) is responding
to this disaster by using its educational
strengths and leadership to create
positive opportunities to prevent young
people from losing their future.
THEMES
King’s awards eight sanctuary
scholarships for forced migrants, and
KCL Student Action for Refugees (STAR)
runs weekly clubs for refugees in London,
an outreach programme at a London
school to help recently arrived young
refugees complete their exams. King’s
has also undertaken a refugee education
programme in Jordan and Lebanon, called
PADILEIA, with the first run of online
courses enrolling 847 learners in Lebanon
and Jordan, and 547 learners from within
Syria itself.
COMMUNITY
LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
Improving access to adult social care
Over two million adults in England require
social care services, with demand for
services and costs expected to rise.
Additionally, there are wide variations in
the availability and quality of care offered
by local authorities, with large numbers
of people expected to make provision for
themselves.
Work by the Personal Social Services
Research Unit (PSSRU) at the London
School of Economics and Political Science
(LSE) aims to improve social care services
for those who need them as well as
for carers and those who provide the
services.
THEMES
For example, PSSRU researchers have
contributed to the development of
new formulae for government to more
fairly allocate funding for adult social
care to local authorities and finance
universal deferred payments, which
help those without immediate access
to care home funding. LSE researchers
also helped identify key shortfalls
in criteria determining individuals’
eligibility for social care services by
local authorities and helped shape
the ensuing implementation of more
transparent national minimum eligibility
criteria. This new criteria sets a minimum
threshold for people’s care needs which
must be met by all local authorities,
meaning there is now more consistency
in care provision across England.
COMMUNITY
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY
Developing a skilled workforce for South London
through innovative partnership
London South Bank University, one the
UK’s leading university providers of
higher and degree apprenticeships, is
addressing the skills needs of businesses
and employers in South London. Through
a collaboration between local authorities
and businesses, the university has
been mapping the skills shortages and
future requirements of businesses and
employers, and the technical training
needs of students.
Education, which provides facilities
for business meetings, community
engagement and teaching, while
serving as a ‘one stop shop’ connecting
businesses with potential apprentices
from the local area.
The aim is for 1,000 Southwark residents
to graduate from a high-quality
apprenticeship programme that will give
them the skills demanded to tackle the
jobs of the future.
With support from Southwark Council,
the university has created the Passmore
Centre for Professional and Technical
THEMES
COMMUNITY
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Development of the Living Wage
Research by Loughborough University’s
Centre for Research in Social Policy has
helped the Living Wage Commission to
determine the hourly rate that workers
need to cover living costs. They have
done this by working with members of the
public to find out the goods and services
they need to meet their needs and
participate in society.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN
UNIVERSITY
Widening access to literature and creativity
Founded in 1998, and home to the UK’s
largest community of academic and
creative writers, the Manchester Writing
School at Manchester Metropolitan
University has developed a number
of initiatives for children and young
people to widen access to literature
and enable creativity.
The Manchester Children’s Book Festival
is an annual festival coordinated and
directed by the Manchester Writing
School. The festival brings literature
to children, schools and families,
delivering a sustainable, long-term
social and cultural impact.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
NORWICH UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS
Supporting the Samaritans in East Anglia
Two design students at Norwich
University of the Arts have produced an
advertising campaign for the Samaritans
in East Anglia to raise awareness of the
mental health support available in their
local region.
The two students now regularly
volunteer with the charity to promote the
services provided by the Samaritans and
encourage others to support its work.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
Promoting social mobility
The Open University (OU) provides
educational opportunities to anyone,
regardless of their age or background.
To study with the OU, students need
nothing more than the ambition and
determination to achieve a higher
education qualification.
Many of the students would not be able
to study full-time or face-to-face as
this would not fit with the demands and
challenges of their lives while some would
not meet the entry criteria of selective
universities.
THEMES
This happens in a variety of contexts,
for example being in prison or working
in the armed forces. 55% of English OU
students come from disadvantaged
backgrounds. Through education they
now have the opportunity to progress
in the workplace and achieve their
career goals.
COMMUNITY
QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Supporting the Living Wage
Working in partnership with groups such
as Citizens UK, research from Queen
Mary University of London supports the
campaign for a living wage. The Living
Wage aims to address the high rates of
‘in-work poverty’ that affects millions of
households in the UK.
Introducing a higher minimum pay
threshold needs to be based on the
amount an individual needs to earn to
cover the basic costs of living.
THEMES
As a principal partner of the Living Wage
Foundation, a Citizens UK initiative,
research from Queen Mary’s School of
Geography has provided evidence to
support the campaign for employers
to adopt the Living Wage. In 2006,
Queen Mary became the first accredited
university in the UK to pay the Living
Wage.
COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF ROEHAMPTON
Promoting musical development in
young people with learning difficulties
Led by Professor Adam Ockelford, the
University of Roehampton’s Sound of
Intent national programme is investigating
and promoting the musical development
of young people with learning difficulties.
The framework for musical development
in students with learning difficulties and
autism was launched in 2012 and is since
being used in 25% of special schools
across the country.
THEMES
Sound of Intent is now being adopted by
charities and music organisations who
are specifically focused on the wellbeing
of children and young people, including
those with conditions that can lead to
physical disability such as Batten’s
disease and Rett Syndrome.
COMMUNITY
ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART
The first record label launched in prison
InHouse Records is the world’s first record
label to be launched in a prison. Run with
and by prisoners, it currently operates in
four men’s prisons in the South East and
has led to a 428% increase in positive
behaviour. The label runs workshops for
prisoners, where participants learn how to
write and record music and also develop
their skills in management.
other prisoners. Judah Armani, the label’s
founder, began working on the project
while studying for his Masters in Service
Design at the Royal College of Art.
InHouse plans to release at least 10 tracks
over the course of 2019, having partnered
with Universal, the record label, for help
with marketing and distribution which will
be primarily be via streaming services.
Former prisoners are now participating in
industry work experience and returning
to visit prisons as role models to help
THEMES
COMMUNITY
THE ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE
OF SCOTLAND
First full-time undergraduate degree course
for deaf performers in the UK
The BA Performance in British Sign
Language and English programme at the
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is the first
and only full-time undergraduate degree
course for D/deaf performers* in the UK.
The first cohort made history when they
graduated from the three-year course in
2018.
*D/deaf students refer to people who
are Deaf (sign language users) and deaf
(who are hard of hearing but who have
English as their first language and may
lipread and/or use hearing aids).
These highly-employable performing arts
pioneers are already making their mark on
the professional world and playing their
part in changing attitudes and perceptions
not only on stage, but also behind the
scenes.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK
Supporting young victims of online abuse
Researchers at the University of Suffolk
designed and conducted the first national
survey of frontline professionals about
their knowledge and experience of
dealing with young victims of online
sexual abuse.
The survey found that over 94% of
professionals in health, education and
social services had never had any
training in supporting children who
suffered online sexual abuse.
THEMES
As a result of these findings, the Marie
Collins Foundation (MCF), believed to
be the only organisation that directly
supports young victims of online abuse,
was able to secure funding from BT to
develop and pilot a multi-disciplinary
training course, evaluated by the
University of Suffolk.
Using the university’s evidence, the MCF
secured further funding for a national
training programme which so far has
reached almost 5,000 professionals
across the UK.
COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND
Supporting estranged students
The University of Sunderland is leading
the way in terms of widening access.
In January 2017, Sunderland joined
14 other universities in signing the
Stand Alone Pledge and promising to
support students who have become
permanently separated and estranged
from a support network.
In 2018/19, 136 students identified
themselves as estranged. Of these,
52 are receiving bespoke support from
the university.
Students are now given a personalised
package of support, including guaranteed
accommodation for the whole year,
secure storage for belongings during
vacations or while studying abroad,
someone to act as a guarantor if required,
as well as a £1,500 scholarship and other
forms of pastoral support.
THEMES
COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
Helping to reduce student suicide
Three Minutes to Save a Life is a
pioneering programme dedicated to
tackling the issue of suicide, self-harm
and emotional resilience.
The award-winning scheme is designed
to provide support to members of the
community who may experience
suicidal thoughts. More than 800 staff
and students – including security, caretaking and academics that have regular
contact with students – have been
trained to recognise early warning
signs in at-risk students and how they
can escalate concerns proportionately
and compassionately.
THEMES
In an effort to reduce the stigma
related to suicidal thoughts, all staff at
the University of Wolverhampton will
eventually undertake training to give
them an awareness and ability to respond
with compassion to those students
who require help. It is led by Clare
Dickens, a nurse and Senior Lecturer in
Mental Health at the university, who is a
recognised expert in the field of mental
health and suicide prevention.
COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER
The first joint university/public library in Europe
At a time when many public libraries are
being closed, The Hive in Worcester is a
powerful statement of a belief in learning
and inclusion through social innovation.
Created in partnership with the University
of Worcester and Worcestershire County
Council, The Hive is the first integrated
university/public library in Europe.
It has proved to be a huge success within
the community, with hundreds of young
people who had never previously visited a
library before now regularly making trips
to the centre.
THEMES
New members of the public library
increased by 600% in the year after
opening. The Hive has been shortlisted
for 52 awards, of which it has won 28 so
far, including The Guardian University
Award for best contribution to the local
community. It has one of the longest
opening hours of any public library in
the UK, from 8.30am to 10pm every day,
except bank holidays.
COMMUNITY
YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY
Using theatre to work with female prisoners
At two Yorkshire prisons, drama students
and experts from York St John University
worked with female prisoners for five years,
using theatre to transform their lives.
Students explore first-hand the impact
the creative arts can have on people’s
attitudes and how they understand their
place in the world.
The Prison Partnership brings together
communities that do not usually
collaborate – students, prisoners and
prison staff. The project works restoratively
to give a voice to prisoners who are among
the most silenced groups in society.
For the prisoners, drama becomes a
way to think creatively and think about
themselves in different ways and from
different perspectives.
Through theatre, it explores experiences
inside and outside prison and the
pathway into the criminal justice system.
By preparing to perform, rehearsing life
roles and acting out different characters,
the women participating develop greater
empathy, explore the power of personal
history and learn to solve problems as
a group.
THEMES
The partnership has had a profound impact
on many of the participants, equipping
them with the skills to cope with life after
they are released from prison.
The Prison Partnership works restoratively
to give a voice and positive pathway to one
of the most silenced groups in society.
COMMUNITY
UK universities have helped
to resolve conflict in divided
communities and transformed
the lives of young people
through the power of sport.
> Robert Gordon University
> University of Bath
> University of Brighton
> Edge Hill University
> Royal Central School of Speech
and Drama
> SOAS University of London
> Solent University
THEMES
ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY
Transforming the lives of young people
through the power of sport
Tens of thousands of young people in
Scotland’s North East have had their
lives transformed by the power of sport,
thanks to Robert Gordon University’s
Streetsport initiative.
The non-profit programme, delivered by
the university and the Denis Law Legacy
Trust, works to engage with communities
and has helped reduce reports of youth
crime, anti-social behaviour and wilful
fire-raising by over 80%. Not only do
Streetsport’s free-of-charge local sport
and creative activity sessions empower
young people to be confident, but its
volunteers support young people in
raising their aspirations and employability.
THEMES
This work towards developing the next
generation of active and responsible
citizens has been recognised by a number
of awards over the years, including a
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and
the TSB Community Partner award at the
National Pride of Sport Awards.
On his visit to the North East in 2016,
Prince Harry also spent time meeting
with the Streetsport team, volunteers and
dozens of young people who have thrived
since being introduced to the programme.
CULTURE & SPORT
UNIVERSITY OF BATH
Making rugby safer
Over nine million rugby players around the
world are safer as a result of two projects
from the University of Bath focused on a
new scrum engagement technique and an
injury prevention exercise programme.
The three-year Biomechanics of the
Rugby Scrum project looked at the forces
experienced by front row forwards. While
not common, scrum-related injuries made
up around 40% of the catastrophic injuries
for players. The focus was to reduce that,
but to do so with minimal effect on the
scrum’s competitive nature. Researchers
developed a pre-binding scrum technique,
known as ‘crouch, bind, set’, whereby
front row players bind to the opposition
before pushing – and demonstrated a 25%
reduction in the forces of engagement.
THEMES
It was rolled out by World Rugby in 2013
at all levels of the game from youth rugby
to international and its long-term impact is
hugely significant. The team also led the
work to reduce injuries for both schools
and adult community rugby. They devised
new 20-minute injury prevention exercise
programmes with the Rugby Football
Union for players to perform all season,
both in training and before matches.
The Activate Programme demonstrated
dramatic results. This includes reducing
concussion injuries by up to 60% and overall
injuries by over 70% in those that completed
the exercise programme three times per
week. This has since been implemented
across clubs and schools and is being rolled
out globally by World Rugby.
CULTURE & SPORT
UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON
Using football to resolve conflict in divided communities
The University of Brighton’s Football
4 Peace (F4P) programme uses football
to help resolve conflict between
communities. Set up in 2001, it aims
to help build bridges in divided
neighbourhoods by training coaches in
its unique methodology, which promotes
values such as respect, equality, trust,
responsibility and inclusion.
THEMES
The programme has had significant
international reach, facilitating the
participation of over 8,000 children,
600 coaches and many community
leaders in countries including Israel,
Jordan, Palestine, Ireland, South Africa
and South Korea.
CULTURE & SPORT
EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY
Using sport to improve the
mental health of young people
Working with Everton Football Club and
the Premier League, Edge Hill University
has devised an educational sports
programme, Tackling the Blues, which
targets young people aged between six
and 16 who are experiencing, or at risk of
developing, mental health problems.
Student mentors and education workers
act as project collaborators, using emoji
bingo, peer mentoring and sport to
increase participants’ self-esteem and
reduce their anxiety.
THEMES
CULTURE & SPORT
ROYAL CENTRAL SCHOOL
OF SPEECH AND DRAMA
Theatre workshops in slums of India
For nearly a decade, Dr Selina Busby,
course leader in MA Applied Theatre
at The Royal Central School of Speech
and Drama, University of London, and
her students, have been working with an
NGO in Mumbai and alongside local
Indian artists and practitioners on a
project in Dharavi.
The aim of the project is to improve
English language skills and create a
platform for discussions and creativity
between different cultures through
Applied Theatre. Dharavi is known as
‘the largest slum in India’, and is an area
that became known around the world
because of Danny Boyle’s film Slumdog
Millionaire.
THEMES
An estimated 1.5 million people live in
the Dharavi settlement, which is only one
square mile in size, and many families live
in cramped spaces without any sanitation
or clean, running water.
The NGO works at a community level,
empowering women in slum communities
to be the catalyst of change in their own
right. Many of the young participants in
Dr Busby’s project are homeless and have
no responsible adults in their lives. They
see few opportunities for change, and
many dream of escaping through being
discovered as a Bollywood star.
Dr Busby’s work endorses these dreams
through workshops that encourage
learning and are facilitated through the
mediums of theatre, dance, performance
and play.
CULTURE & SPORT
SOAS, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Bringing world music to the masses
Since the 1960s, SOAS has played a
major role in bringing world music into
mainstream awareness in the UK.
SOAS provides the largest centre in
Europe for the study of music from Asia,
Africa, the Middle East and their related
communities. Undergraduate studies
include a BA in Global Popular Music,
and Masters in Global Creative and
Cultural Industries.
THEMES
Many staff and students are involved in
professional performance, composition
and music production, and have received
international awards and Grammy
nominations. The reach of its research
and teaching has been extended through
collaboration with the BBC, the Aga Khan
Music Initiative and other community
organisations.
CULTURE & SPORT
SOLENT UNIVERSITY
Removing barriers to creativity
The Small Faces exhibition at Solent
University’s Showcase Gallery removed
barriers to creativity and engaged diverse
audiences. The premise was to invite
people to be part of a large collective
artwork made up of thousands of
individual ‘postcard portraits’. Notably,
all submissions would not be ‘judged’,
selected or rejected by a panel.
The response was overwhelming – over 7,000 portraits were received.
All work would be shown, and all work
would be valued. By relinquishing
curatorial control, the gallery was solely
reliant on participants to make the
exhibition a success.
Over 5,250 people visited the exhibition
and, for many, it was their first visit to
a gallery.
THEMES
The exhibition was packed with personal
stories. A teenage girl with terminal
cancer had the opportunity to debut
her artwork in a public space; a 90-yearold created artwork for the first time
in 40 years; and a group of refugees
remembered those they had left behind.
CULTURE & SPORT
DISCOVER SCOTLAND’S
UNIVERSITY NOMINATIONS
OR EXPLORE ALL THE
BREAKTHROUGHS BY THEME
THEMES
> University of Aberdeen
> Heriot-Watt University
> Abertay University
> University of St Andrews
>University of the Highlands
and Islands
> University of Dundee
> Queen Margaret University
> University of Edinburgh
> Robert Gordon University
> Edinburgh Napier University
> University of Stirling
> Glasgow Caledonian University
> Strathclyde University
> University of Glasgow
> Scotland’s Rural University
> The Glasgow School of Art
> University of the West of Scotland
DISCOVER NOMINATIONS
FROM WELSH UNIVERSITIES
OR EXPLORE ALL THE
BREAKTHROUGHS
BY THEME
THEMES
> University of Aberystwyth
> Bangor University
> Cardiff University
> Cardiff Metropolitan University
> University of Swansea
> University of South Wales
> Wrexham Glyndŵr University
DISCOVER NORTHERN IRELAND’S
UNIVERSITY NOMINATIONS OR
EXPLORE ALL THE BREAKTHROUGHS
BY THEME
THEMES
> Queen’s University Belfast
> Ulster University
DISCOVER ENGLAND’S
UNIVERSITY NOMINATIONS
WITHIN THESE SIX THEMES
HEALTH
TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENT
FAMILY
COMMUNITY
CULTURE & SPORT
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December 2018