Exeter impact awards brochure final

Judging the entries We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our expert judging team from within and outside of the University. We are particularly grateful to our distinguished external judges, who freely gave up their time to help us achieve a fair result.

University of Exeter panellists

External reviewers

Professor Gabriella Giannachi, Chair, College of Humanities

Alastair Banks, Director, Optix Solutions (Computer Science, 2000)

Hannah Barton, University of Exeter Students’ Guild

Dr John Brown, Vice-President and Head of Global Strategic Drug Development and Alliances, Quintiles

Professor Richard Everson, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences Sean Fielding, Research and Knowledge Transfer Professor Stephen Monsell, College of Life and Environmental Sciences Professor Debra Myhill, College of Social Sciences and International Studies Professor Gareth Shaw, Business School Professor Angela Shore, Medical School

Dr Sarah Buck, Member of University Council and Director, BSW Consulting (Engineering Science (Civil), 1974 and Hon DEng, 2008) Dr Richard Cresswell, Regional Director (South West), Environment Agency Nick Fuller MBE, Founder, Edcoms (English, 1982) Chris Garcia, Chair, Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership Camilla Hampshire, Manager, Royal Albert Memorial Museum

Professor Andrew Thorpe, College of Humanities

Judy Hargadon OBE, Member of University Council and former Chief Executive, Children’s Food Trust (Economics, 1973)

Dr Michael Wykes, Research and Knowledge Transfer

Peter Higgin, Director, Punchdrunk Theatre (Drama, 2000) Harriet Lamb CBE, Chief Executive Officer, Fairtrade Foundation (Hon LLD, 2011) Robert McIlwraith, Chair, Exeter Initiative for Science and Technology Sir Robin Nicholson, Member of University Council Dr Lesley Paterson, Head of Engagement, Royal Academy of Engineering Professor Steve Tomlinson CBE, Member of University Council and Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Cardiff University Pippa Warin, Senior Manager (Regional Planning), Arts Council England

Welcome

Welcome from the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Sir Steve Smith Welcome to the Exeter Impact Awards 2013, which recognise the world-wide benefits of our research and the outstanding impact our academic staff and students generate in collaboration with an extensive range of partners.

This year the awards received more entries, feature more shortlisted projects, and involve many more project team members than the first awards evening in 2011. I am truly proud of the achievements detailed in the following pages.

I know our researchers make a difference to the world; whether this is by addressing global challenges and saving lives, or using modern technologies in innovative ways to bring the past to life.

As we move towards a more globalised society I am pleased to see that so many of tonight’s projects place partnership and collaborative working at their core. The University and South West as a region have gone from strength to strength in recent years both in economic terms and, for the University, in global league table rankings. This simply could not have happened without our dynamic and innovative research community and the continued support of our many stakeholders, to whom I am immensely grateful.

I hope you will enjoy finding out more about our research impact tonight. I am extremely confident for the University’s future, and am confident you will agree that the range and quality of work taking place here is impressive.

Good luck to everyone participating in tonight’s awards. I wish you and our guests all the best for the future.

Professor Sir Steve Smith Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

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In recent years the University’s research community has enjoyed many successes. In the two years since the last Impact Awards in 2011 the value of our research awards has risen from £55 million a year to £81 million.

In November we completed our submission to the national Research Excellence Framework (REF), which evaluates research capability and helps determine the government funding we receive. We are proud of the work we have submitted and confident of achieving a good result.

The REF has a significant focus on impact and the changes research makes to the world around us. Our submission documents research impact in 93 case studies which range from advising on adaptation to global climate change to saving lives through developing new technologies; and from using research to educate and inform the public to advising domestic and international organisations on policy reform.

This year, we have encouraged award entries which show promising impact at an early stage of research. We hope many of these projects will feature in future REF submissions.

Staff, students and collaborators at the University of Exeter share a bright future and we hope you enjoy reading about some of our impact to come.

Recent University research highlights include: ■

£81 million for research awards 2012/13 – a record total.

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Our EU research portfolio increased from £8 million in 2011/12 to £21 million in 2012/13.

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We are now involved in doctoral training with all UK Research Councils.

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Our Humanities and Social Sciences Strategy was launched one year ago, and has recruited new staff across six themes.

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We have invested in developments such as the £50 million Living Systems Institute and the £27 million Research, Innovation, Learning and Development Centre at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

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Hundreds of new researchers are being recruited across our Colleges, many of whom are world-leaders in their area.

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Eleven projects have been funded in the first year of the Exeter Catalyst for Public Engagement.

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We funded more than £2 million of Open Innovation Fund projects, which encourage collaboration with external partners. They are expected to generate a return on investment of 7:1.

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We have signed formal partnership agreements with leading organisations such as IBM and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

Our research impact

Our research impact

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Exeter Impact Awards Finalists 2013 PAGE 8

Outstanding impact in arts and culture Award sponsor: Optix Solutions This award celebrates the impact of research which has delivered tangible benefits to arts and cultural sectors.

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Exeter Manuscripts Project

■ Imaging

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the past: 3D modelling heritage dhows for the Qatar National Museum

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The Southall Story: a cultural history

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Art Maps: The development of a new crowdsourcing tool

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Investigating how musical activity can affect social behaviour in post-conflict environments

The enterprise award Award sponsor: Francis Clark The enterprise award celebrates University spin-outs and start-ups as well as the impact of research into the business sector.

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Climate Savers: driving sustainable innovation with the World Wide Fund for Nature

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Digitising the Dollar Princess: from proof of concept to commercialisation

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‘Houston we have a problem’: examining how pilots react to stress

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Improving the safety performance of the international mining industry

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Simpleware: image based modelling tools for industry

Outstanding impact in health and wellbeing 12

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Award sponsor: Quintiles This award celebrates the impact of research in any discipline which results in life-changing benefits for people across the world.

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Judging the value of healthcare treatments: getting the right outcomes for patients

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Solving the puzzle of genetic disease using new DNA technology sequencing technology

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Understanding the health impacts of your genome

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Eat your greens: dietary nitrate improves cardiovascular health and exercise performance

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A test to identify patients most at risk from death by infection

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Swapping wellies for trainers? Evaluation of the Devon Active Villages programme

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Outstanding impact in policy and education Award sponsor: Met Office This award celebrates the impact of research which has significantly developed or revised public sector or governing body policy, or delivered improvements to education.

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Redefining assessment: enhancing feedback practice in Higher Education

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Understanding the Bible’s impact on religious attitudes to the environment

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Taking ocean acidification research into UK classrooms

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Rewriting education for teachers: improving professional understanding and practice

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Shaping the game: retaining players and developing talent in mini rugby

Exeter Impact Awards Finalists 2013

= project also shortlisted for the best postgraduate impact award

Outstanding impact in public engagement Award sponsor: South West Water This award celebrates projects which have demonstrated excellent engagement with the wider public to generate outstanding research.

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Involving the public in health services research

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Monsoon Steel: ancient technology inspiring Sri Lanka’s engineers and power generators

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Past Caring: a study of bereaved carers, by carers, for carers, with carers

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Introducing the world of 17th Century medicine

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Adventures in science outreach: generating impactful and long-lasting public engagement

The George Smith regional partnership award Award sponsor: A&P Group This award celebrates the success of research projects with South West organisations, which have had regional impact.

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The Centre for Business and Climate Solutions

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Time Trails: the development of a novel approach to encountering hybridal archival materials

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FaB Test: addressing commercialisation challenges faced by the marine renewable energy sector

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Optimising emergency stroke treatment to reduce disability in South West England

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Conserving iconic fish: placing genetics at the heart of fisheries management in the South West

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Outstanding impact in sustainable futures Award sponsor: IBM This award celebrates the impact our research has in areas relating to the environment, climate change and sustainability.

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Windows of the future: developing advanced photovoltaic technology

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Social marketing for sustainability: influencing policy and practice for citizen engagement

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Building a better crystal ball: forecasting the structural breakdown of Caribbean coral reefs

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Combining solar energy and biomass: unlocking a new energy source for rural communities

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The Pharma Transport Town: visualising the routes to sustainable pharmaceutical use

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Adapting conservation to climate change by making use of microclimate

Outstanding impact in technology Award sponsor: QinetiQ This category celebrates the impact of research which has led to ground-breaking new or improved technology.

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Fourth generation biofuels: programming bacteria to produce retail-grade diesel

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The ZEB1: revolutionising underground mine surveying

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new Event Recognition System for water distribution networks: detecting and locating bursts, leaks, and other A events in real-time

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The discovery of GraphExeter: the best known transparent conductor

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A point-of-care diagnostic test to detect a life-threatening invasive fungal disease

Best postgraduate impact award The best postgraduate impact award acknowledges excellence within our postgraduate research community, recognising entries which have been led by or significantly involved postgraduates. The University of Exeter is committed to helping postgraduate research students develop their potential to become tomorrow’s leaders in their respective fields.

Shortlisted projects for this award are indicated by main categories.

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. The winning entry will be drawn from across the eight

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Outstanding impact in arts and culture The Exeter Manuscripts Project University lead: Dr Emma Cayley Dr Emma Cayley and Antenna International have worked together to create an app which introduces school-age pupils to the fascinating world of medieval manuscripts and narrative.

The team are building a prototype based around Exeter Cathedral’s famous Exeter Book (c. 970).

We have a longstanding reputation for excellence in the arts, ranking 65th in the world for arts and humanities.

We are part of two collaborative Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) grants: the £14.2 million Centre for Doctoral Training, and the REACT initiative. REACT is investing £3 million in 70 themed projects across the South West to support knowledge exchange activities between universities and the creative sector.

We continue to work with many regional and national partners, and are reaping benefits following the launch of our Humanities and Social Sciences strategy in 2012.

Sponsored by:

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The book contains the world’s largest collection of Old English poetry, and features the Exeter Riddles: a collection of 96 literary enigmas.

Once these exciting collections are brought to life, the team will develop another version which will feature other South West medieval manuscripts including the Syon Abbey manuscripts.

Imaging the past: 3D modelling heritage dhows for the Qatar National Museum University lead: Dr John Cooper An interdisciplinary team working for the Qatar National Museum brought together Middle Eastern experts and mining specialists from 3Dmsi Ltd to apply 3D laser-scanning technology to record the museum’s collection of Arabian boats.

The scans were developed using computer-generated imagery (CGI) modelling techniques to produce realistic digital models for development into interactive museum displays.

The Qatar National Museum is a major new museum project in Doha, with a large budget, big-name architect, and ambitions to create high-technology galleries including these 3D models. This project attracted extensive media attraction in Qatar.

University leads: Cristina Locatelli and

Prof Gabriella Giannachi A new crowdsourcing app developed with the Tate Gallery allows users to explore more than 67,000 artworks and relate them to the places, sites and environments they encounter in daily life.

Art Maps users can pinpoint the locations of particular images, identifying the viewpoints used by artists, and allowing others to find out more about the location they are in, and the artworks themselves. The app also analyses users’ locations, displaying works associated with that location.

Art Maps is an interdisciplinary project between Tate, the Centre for Intermedia and the University of Nottingham’s Department of Computer Science. It is funded by Research Councils UK.

Investigating how musical activity can affect social behaviour in post-conflict environments

The Southall Story – a cultural history University lead: Dr Jerri Daboo The Southall Story project documents the story of the development of arts and social history in the diasporic town of Southall in London.

The team investigated how new forms of artistic expression developed alongside social and political events and organisations in Southall by collecting more than 150 interviews and other materials.

Outstanding impact in arts and culture

Art Maps: the development of a new crowdsourcing tool

The project drew together a team of interdisciplinary academics as well as artists and performers from Southall.

It resulted in a digital archive containing the recorded interviews; an exhibition at the Southbank Centre; a tour to India and Thailand; workshops with schools and community groups; a promotional film; and a film festival.

The research project was funded by the AHRC, and the tour of the exhibition and festival to Delhi and Bangkok was funded by the AHRC, the Asian Arts Agency, and Chulalongkorn University.

University lead: Dr Craig Robertson Dr Robertson’s work investigates the process of musicmaking and how it affects behaviour over time, ultimately encouraging or discouraging social change.

Working with an inter-religious choir in Sarajevo and a community world choir in London, Craig has shown that grassroots musical and cultural activity changes participants’ behaviour beyond the musical activity itself.

The potential reduction in post-conflict tensions his research highlights have already led to strong links with the British Council, Toda Institute and Asian Pacific Peace Research Association.

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The enterprise award Improving the safety performance of the international mining industry University lead: Dr Patrick Foster Dr Foster from the Camborne School of Mines contributed to a safety education course at Anglo-American which has helped reduce fatality and injury rates by up to 70 per cent.

The results of investigations into the causes of accidents and similar factors in the mining industry fed into the course.

This has led to the embedding of an effective safety risk management culture at Anglo-American.

We have developed 360 business partnerships worth over ÂŁ15 million in the last year alone.

Climate Savers: driving sustainable innovation with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Businesses can use schemes such as Innovation Vouchers, which offer 40 per cent off the cost of collaborative projects with the University.

University leads: Prof Jonathan Gosling and

Dr Jeff Jia

Our staff work with regional networks such as the Exeter Initiative for Science and Technology to develop partnerships. We also launched the Exeter Angel Network which offers businesses with a high growth potential the opportunity to pitch to experienced business people and investors.

We support entrepreneurial activity through the Innovation Centre, which has supported the creation of 27 new companies and has helped generate more than ÂŁ10 million of investment in five years.

Sponsored by:

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The WWF Climate Savers are a club of multi-national companies committed to reducing carbon emissions in their operations.

Commissioned by WWF China, the project studies how companies reduce emissions in China’s competitive and dynamic economy, with the aim of studying and changing corporate practice.

Dr Jia and Professor Gosling have worked with the club to produce best-practice case studies in sustainable processes.

The project has effected sustainable change in multinational companies such as TetraPak and led to the development of a strong relationship between the University and WWF.

Simpleware – image-based modelling tools for industry

University lead: Dr Nicola Thomas

University lead: Prof Philippe Young

An Android app presenting a digital biography of Lady Curzon, the Dollar Princess, has been created by Dr Nicola Thomas and Bow Software. The app brings the history and material remains of the Vicereine of India to life, blending the formats of an e-book, app, documentary, and exhibition.

Since Simpleware was founded by Professor Philippe Young in 2000 the company has seen a 600 per cent growth in revenue, selling to high-profile customers such as NASA, the US Naval Research Laboratory, and Siemens.

Readers of the biography are able to explore stories and overlay artefacts, each of which highlights a different aspect of Lady Curzon’s life as part of the Indian Raj. The app breaks new digital ground in the genre of biography, creating a compelling non-linear reading experience led by curiosity and rich interaction with source materials.

The enterprise award

Digitising the Dollar Princess: from proof of concept to commercialisation

The team of 25 have won numerous awards in recent years including two Queen’s Awards (one for Enterprise, one for Innovation) in 2012 and 2013.

The company develops, markets, and distributes worldleading software solutions for the conversion of 3D image data into computer models used for design and simulation.

‘Houston we have a problem’: examining how pilots react to stress University lead: Dr Sam Vine Dr Vine’s research examines how pilots react in high stress situations.

He uses eye-tracking technology to highlight attentional and psychological processes that are critical to performing well.

Through this analysis, Dr Vine’s research could help Flybe better analyse their pilot training.

A strong relationship with Flybe has developed from the project, with the company providing access to their qualified pilots and state-of-the-art flight simulators.

The work could also help develop bespoke training programmes through the Flybe Training Academy.

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Outstanding impact in health and wellbeing Judging the value of healthcare treatments: getting the outcomes right for patients University leads: Oriana Ciani, Dr Ruth Garside, Prof Ken Stein, and Prof Rod Taylor This project has assisted national and international bodies such as the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence, who are faced with increasing decision uncertainty on the funding of new technologies, with their decision making.

We have invested heavily in leading health and wellbeing research. We recently launched the University of Exeter Medical School and completed the £27 million Research, Innovation, Learning and Development Centre (RILD) in partnership with the NHS, Wellcome Trust, and Wolfson Foundation.

The RILD centre will bring together skills, learning and innovation to improve patient care in a single centre of excellence.

In 2012/13 more than £12 million of groundbreaking research was funded at Exeter by the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Sponsored by:

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Medicines and other health technologies should prove how they lead to patient-relevant outcomes, such as survival or quality of life. Spiralling research and development costs and societies’ desire for faster access to innovative treatments have led to shorter clinical trials that assess surrogate (eg, blood pressure or tumour response) rather than patientrelevant outcomes.

Solving the puzzle of genetic disease using new DNA sequencing technology University lead: Prof Sian Ellard Professor Ellard’s team at the Medical School use cutting edge new DNA sequencing technology to explain the genetic basis of rare diseases including monogenic diabetes, hyperinsulinism, muscle weakness, congenital malformations and absent fetal movements.

In partnership with the Exeter Sequencing Service and international clinicians, they have identified five novel causes of genetic disease and developed new genetic tests to improve diagnosis and treatment. These discoveries have given new scientific insights into human development and disease, and herald the end of the so-called diagnostic odyssey for patients and their families.

A test to identify patients most at risk from death by infection

University lead: Prof Tim Frayling

University leads: Dr Stephen Michell, Emma Butt, and Dr Ed Keedwell

Professor Frayling’s team has played a key role in understanding the impact of the human genome on health.

More than 200 changes in DNA that can influence the risk of common diseases such as low birth weight and extremes of growth have been discovered through scanning the genomes of thousands of individuals.

The team’s findings have significantly enhanced our understanding of the biological processes underlying these diseases, and demonstrate both the limitations and promise of personalised medicine as we enter a genetic revolution in medicine.

Eat your greens: dietary nitrate improves cardiovascular health and exercise performance University lead: Prof Andy Jones and

Prof Paul Winyard A team led by Andy Jones and Paul Winyard have provided important new insights into the importance of nitrates in metabolic and vascular control.

Their exciting discoveries have impacted significantly on sports nutrition practice, with beetroot juice (which is high in nitrates) now being routinely used to support competitive performance and training both in recreational exercisers and elite athletes.

Annual beetroot juice sales at James White Drinks, the UK’s only beetroot juice manufacturer, have increased 18-fold to more than £2.5 million since the first research paper was published.

Healthcare acquired infections are a major cause of mortality in hospitals. One such infection is caused by Clostridium difficile, which accounted for nearly 15,000 cases in England last year and almost one per cent of all hospital deaths – thus claiming over 1,000 lives.

Outstanding impact in health and wellbeing

Understanding the health impacts of your genome

Rapid identification of those patients that are most at risk of death is essential to reduce the devastating consequences of this infection. Recent research published by this team has led to a simple and robust test which identifies such patients.

This research has already received international attention and widespread regional media coverage, and will undoubtedly lead to the saving of lives.

Swapping wellies for trainers? Evaluation of the Devon Active Villages programme University leads: Emma Solomon, Prof Melvyn Hillsdon, and Dr Tim Rees Working alongside Active Devon during her PhD, Emma Solomon has been evaluating ‘Devon Active Villages’ – a £1 million development programme providing sustainable sports participation opportunities to rural village communities.

Millions have been spent on community-level physical activity interventions, and yet they are rarely evaluated.

Her research was the first to use a ‘stepped wedge’ design (researching and comparing different groups at different points of the study), rigorously examining over 10,400 individuals to establish the effectiveness of community-level physical interaction.

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Outstanding impact in policy and education Understanding the Bible’s impact on religious attitudes to the environment University lead: Prof David Horrell This project examines the way the Bible shapes Christian attitudes to the environment, and approaches to environmental ethics.

Environmental issues are among the greatest challenges to the global community, and religious convictions and attitudes are important factors in understanding people’s actions.

Our researchers influence policy and enhance education both domestically and internationally.

The impact of our research in policy and education ranges from research in the Graduate School of Education which has had direct impact on teaching practice and curriculum content, to work at the Strategy and Security Institute which has led to influential reports on major global events such as the Syria crisis.

We take an active and direct role in supporting the education of young people by hosting events such as the Big Bang Science Fair, and by being directly involved in initiatives such as the new Exeter Mathematics School.

Sponsored by:

The research has led to new teaching guides for schools, producing and presenting materials for GCSE and A-level courses. These enable a more critical and informed appreciation of the influence of biblical texts on contemporary Christian groups.

Redefining assessment: enhancing feedback practice in Higher Education University lead: Dr Carol Evans Dr Carol Evans’ work on assessment feedback in Higher Education has led to a range of high profile partnerships and the award of a Higher Education Academy Principal Fellowship.

Her proposed feedback style is unique as it draws on cognitive styles and assessment, with her research providing a leading benchmark of evidence-based practice.

Carol’s toolkit has enabled hundreds of lecturers and teachers to examine and develop their feedback practice, resulting in international collaborative partnerships and worldleading publications.

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Shaping the game: retaining players and developing talent in mini rugby

University lead: Prof Debra Myhill

University leads: Dr Gethin Thomas and

Dr Mark Wilson

Learning to write is one of the most important skills a young person learns – it is a gatekeeper to future economic wellbeing. Yet achievement in writing has remained stubbornly resistant to policy initiatives and professional intervention.

The Centre for Research in Writing has provided the first evidence that embedding grammar within the teaching of writing significantly increases the rate of writing improvement.

Through extensive professional development with teachers and a £750,000 investment by Pearson Education, the project has changed the professional understanding of writing tutoring and altered classroom practice.

Taking ocean acidification research into UK classrooms

This project has changed the way youth rugby is played, showing that changes to rugby laws between the ages of seven and eleven have a positive impact by enhancing the involvement, skill development, and motivation of every child.

Outstanding impact in policy and education

Rewriting education for teachers: improving professional understanding and practice

Rugby has a huge youth following in England, and is recognised as a sport for all ‘shapes and sizes’. But the Rugby Football Union (RFU) are concerned that the current emphasis on contact and structured skills limits the appeal to children.

Following UK success the project has been trialled in Sweden, and the Rugby League and Football Association have also shown a promising interest in the findings.

University lead: Dr Ceri Lewis Dr Ceri Lewis’ research expeditions to the Canadian High Arctic, as part of the Catlin Arctic Surveys investigating the impacts of ocean acidification, have been used as the inspiration for a highly successful national schools education programme.

Ceri and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) colleague Dr Helen Findlay teamed up with Digital Explorer to provide free inspirational resources to classrooms both nationally and internationally.

The resulting education resources are now being used by 1,225 UK secondary schools, reaching more than 658,000 pupils.

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Outstanding impact in public engagement Adventures in science outreach: generating impactful and long-lasting public engagement University lead: Prof Peter Vukusic Inspirational researcher Professor Vukusic has established two exemplary programmes to help generate and promote engagement with science: the University of Exeter Girls into Physics and the Physics into Africa programmes.

In 2012 we made a commitment to support researchers who want to engage the public in their research through the RCUK-funded Catalyst project.

As a result of the project: â–

PhD students are initiating their own public engagement skills training;

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whole communities are investigating issues such as light pollution with artists and researchers;

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and families are being welcomed onto our campus to explore our facilities and generate research questions.

We are passionate about involving the public in our research from shaping questions to sharing the benefits of research that makes a difference.

Sponsored by:

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Locally, nationally, and internationally, Peter gives visiting lectures to schools, colleges and societies. He received the Royal Society Kohn Award in June 2013 for excellence and impact in engaging the public with science.

He is a regular outreach lecturer for the Institute of Physics, The British Association of Science and the Royal Institution.

Past Caring: a study of bereaved carers, by carers, for carers, with carers University lead: Rachel Purtell A carer-led team supported by Folk.us researchers have studied how carers experience bereavement after a longterm caring role. There is little research into this area and no research that has directly involved carers on the project.

The project was started following requests from carers, with the team being supported by Folk.us who provided research expertise, resources and training in research and digital story telling.

The research has resulted in a DVD of digital stories which is being used in the education of healthcare and social care professionals.

Involving the public in health services research

University lead: Dr Alun Withey

University leads: Prof Nicky Britten and

Dr Andrew Gibson

Dr Withey uses fascinating stories from his research on 17th Century medicine to engage a wider audience.

Remedies in the past can seem weird to modern eyes and the practices of doctors painful or even dangerous.

But understanding how our ancestors understood and experienced the body and illness brings us closer to them.

The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care for the South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC) Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) team has, over the last five years, worked to transform research culture within the Peninsula by embedding PPI throughout the research process.

Alun’s work on aspects of early modern medicine has also led to successful collaborations with organisations from museums to public history groups, as well as a potential new collaboration with a major manufacturer.

This reflects both an ethical commitment to PPI and the belief that research which addresses patients’ concerns will be more relevant to the NHS.

Monsoon Steel: ancient technology inspiring Sri Lanka’s engineers and power generators

The comprehensive and innovative nature of the team’s PPI work is unique within the UK and has been recognised regionally, nationally and internationally.

University lead: Dr Gill Juleff

Outstanding impact in public engagement

Introducing the world of 17th Century medicine

A first-millennium technology not seen elsewhere in the ancient world has been researched by Dr Gill Juleff. Her archaeological work in Sri Lanka on Monsoon Steel has helped establish the country’s position in the global history of science and technology.

The research has brought the wind-powered iron and steelmaking technology of Samanalawewa to public attention, leading to widespread coverage and partnerships exploring new approaches to power generation.

Reconstructions of the furnaces are now on display in two museums, and Dr Juleff’s recent collaboration with Colombo Dockyard Plc (Sri Lanka’s largest heavy engineering company) has led to further smelting experiments in the island’s hill country.

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The George Smith regional partnership award The Centre for Business and Climate Solutions University lead: Centre for Business and Climate Solutions team The Centre for Business and Climate Solutions (CBCS) helps South West SMEs (small and medium enterprises) understand the impacts of climate change, supporting them to develop solutions to tackle these impacts through innovation, mitigation and adaptation.

In the past decade the region’s economy has grown faster than the national average, which has been strongly supported by the growth of, and partnerships developed by, the University of Exeter.

Our direct regional economic input is significant; we estimate that our annual contribution to the region will reach ÂŁ500 million by 2015.

We are committed to helping grow knowledgeintensive business sectors through developments such as the Exeter Science Park (pictured above).

The award is named after the late Professor George Smith, the first winner of this award.

Sponsored by:

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CBCS was launched in early 2012 with funding from the University of Exeter and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Project partners include the Met Office, IBM, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and Regen South West.

So far CBCS has assisted more than 80 SMEs in developing or implementing environmental technologies, services and processes.

FaB Test: addressing commercialisation challenges faced by the marine renewable energy sector University lead: Dr Lars Johanning FaB Test (Falmouth Bay Test) is helping accelerate the commercialisation of wave energy devices by providing a low cost, easily accessible, at-sea test site for the marine energy sector.

Jointly operated by Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and the University of Exeter, FaB Test was conceived and developed with the support of Cornish businesses working in the marine energy sector including A&P Group (Falmouth), Cornwall Marine Network and Mojo Maritime Ltd.

Conserving iconic fish: placing genetics at the heart of fisheries management in the South West University lead: Dr Jamie Stevens Dr Jamie Stevens’ work has guided the management and conservation of fish.

He works within a research team alongside three major environmental charities and the Environment Agency to explore genetic variability in populations of salmon and trout across South West Britain.

The partnership has already generated seven PhD studentships and attracted more than 10 million of EU funding. Salmon and trout are a valuable leisure resource in South West England, and their presence is also recognised as an indicator of good water quality.

Optimising emergency stroke treatment to reduce disability

Stroke is the third greatest cause of death and greatest cause of adult disability in the UK. The only licensed treatment is thrombolysis with the ‘clot-busting’ drug altepase, which significantly improves outcomes but is critically time-dependant.

Time Trails: Development of a novel approach to encountering hybrid archival materials University lead: Prof Gabriella Giannachi The Time Trails team developed a web app to generate chronological and thematic trails that engage users in creative encounters with heritage.

The George Smith regional partnership award

It is the only marine test site which has seen any long-term continuous testing of prototype wave energy conversion devices.

Working with the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, the team used their research into mixed reality experiences to develop a web app which used museum collections, spanning more than 100,000 years of history, to generate Exeter tours.

The app has been adopted by Exeter City Football Club Supporters Trust, whose archives of visual and material culture were used to prompt the sharing of oral histories among diverse user-groups.

University leads: Dr Thomas Monks, Dr Martin Pitt,

and Prof Ken Stein In collaboration with the South West Peninsula Heart and Stroke Network, the PenCLAHRC team has helped deliver a four-fold increase in the number of stroke patients treated.

They have halved the time it takes to deliver thrombolysis at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.

The project uses innovative computer simulation and data analysis to model stroke pathways and identify changes which provide the most benefit to patients.

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Outstanding impact in sustainable futures Windows of the future: developing advanced photovoltaic technology University leads: Hasan Baig and

Prof Tapas Mallick Miniaturised prototype solar cells being built by Hasan Baig at the Environment and Sustainability Institute are four to five times more effective at capturing solar irradiance than conventional flat panels.

Our research addresses key global challenges in sustainability such as climate change, water security, and food security.

We have built key partnerships with stakeholders such as the Met Office, IBM, and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and have collaborated on projects ranging from investigating severe weather to the use of atmospheric aerosols.

More scientists from the city of Exeter contributed to the recent UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report than any other place in the world.

Our expertise also helps businesses and public sector organisations become more sustainable, with groups such as the Centre for Business and Climate Solutions and Environment and Sustainability Institute offering free support to help organisations plan for the future.

Sponsored by:

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By reducing the cell size, the amount of silicon required is also reduced, lowering carbon footprint, whilst generating higher energy for a given surface area.

Working under the supervision of Professor Tapas Mallick, Hasan’s efforts have been central to the development of building integrated concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology.

Social marketing for sustainability: influencing policy and practice for citizen engagement University leads: Dr Stewart Barr and

Prof Gareth Shaw Policy process has been influenced and business practices changed by research into customer engagement through social marketing techniques by academics from Geography and Management.

Dr Stewart Barr and Professor Gareth Shaw examined proenvironmental behaviour policy and notions of behavioural change for environmental sustainability within the context of international holiday travel.

The project has informed Defra’s behaviour-change policy, resulted in a smartphone app which promotes sustainable travel to customers, and informed public debate through discussion in UK and international media.

The Pharma Transport Town: visualising the routes to sustainable pharmaceutical use

University lead: Dr Emma Kennedy

University lead: Dr Will Stahl-Timmins

Dr Kennedy’s research models the ability of Caribbean reefs to maintain their growth under scenarios including a changing climate, overfishing and pollution.

A creative approach to disseminating research has been developed by the European Centre for Environment and Human Health. The Pharma Transport Town visualisation explains the complex systems of the transport of pharmaceuticals in the environment.

Her research forms part of an 18-strong international collaboration led by the University of Exeter which bridges social and natural sciences to help manage healthy reefs.

Emma’s modelling and research has informed policy and improved the understanding of healthy reef functioning.

The capacity of coral reefs to support ocean ecosystems is closely tied with their ability to construct complex calciumcarbonate structures.

Combining solar energy and biomass: unlocking a new energy source for rural communities

It promotes a sense of shared responsibility in the viewer, demonstrating to policy-makers, medical professionals and pharmaceutical users their role in the sustainable use of pharmaceuticals. It is designed to reveal to them potential intervention points in the process, many of which are not currently utilised.

Adapting conservation to climate change by making use of microclimate

University lead: Prof Tapas Mallick

University leads: Dr Robert Wilson and

Dr Ilya Maclean

The combination of solar and biomass energy is being harnessed by Professor Tapas Mallick’s team to generate an uninterrupted off-grid power supply which could benefit rural communities.

Conservation policy and practice are being shaped to meet the emerging threat to biodiversity from climate change by researchers from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation and the Environment and Sustainability Institute.

Concentrated photovoltaic systems integrated with bio- and hydrogen-energy (BioCPV) could provide an effective energy source in areas with poor access to traditional energy systems but lots of solar energy and biomass.

Their research shows how particular habitats can provide microclimatic safe havens against the adverse effects of climate change.

The group is developing efficient BioCPV modules to integrate these technologies through national and international, academic and industrial collaboration, with the development of smart control technologies.

Outstanding impact in sustainable futures

Building a better crystal ball: forecasting the structural breakdown of Caribbean coral reefs

By pioneering understanding of the effects of microclimate, and working with stakeholders to develop evidence-based tools and guidance to focus conservation actions, the team’s research is helping the environmental sector to effectively climate-proof biodiversity conservation.

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Outstanding impact in technology Fourth-generation biofuels: programming bacteria to produce retail-grade diesel University lead: Prof John Love Cutting-edge research in synthetic biology has led to the design of bacteria that produce oils identical to diesel.

The breakthrough, led by Professor John Love and backed

by Shell, is important because the bacterial fuel can substitute directly for retail petroleum products. These biofuels will help mitigate rising CO2 emissions and could also solve the fuelor-food dilemma, as the bacteria thrive on waste.

Technology experts at the University of Exeter are using their skills and knowledge to develop groundbreaking innovations and support local businesses.

Business technology centres such as the Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM) work with organisations to provide access to the latest equipment and expertise. More than 200 businesses have worked with CALM, and they predict £63 million of increased turnover thanks to the support.

We have also recently secured a new€£1.5 million Centre for Alternative Materials and Remanufacturing (CALMARE), which will support remanufacturing, waste minimisation and the use of alternative materials.

This breakthrough technology is the focus of a major project involving academic and industry groups from the UK and USA.

The ZEB1: revolutionising underground mine surveying University leads: Lauren Padmore and

Dr Andrew Wetherelt The value of a new handheld mobile mapping device, the ZEB1 laser scanner, has been demonstrated by researchers in the Camborne School of Mines.

The ZEB1 could revolutionise underground mine surveying, especially in areas which have previously been problematic.

Due to the speed at which it can acquire data, time at the mining face is reduced which results in a safer and less disrupted mining environment.

Sponsored by:

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The project team predicted a return on investment of 600 per cent for the 3D Laser Mapping Ltd equipment.

University leads: Prof Zoran Kapelan and

Dr Michele Romano Significant cost savings and improved customer service are being achieved by water and wastewater services provider United Utilities after they worked with the University on a pioneering event recognition system.

United Utilities use the system to rapidly and reliably identify events such as water leakages or burst pipes, allowing staff to resolve problems quickly.

The technology enables a more proactive approach in delivering an improved service to seven million customers and is expected to have worldwide impact once more widely available.

The discovery of GraphExeter: the best known transparent conductor University leads: Prof Saverio Russo and

Dr Monica Craciun An exciting breakthrough by Professor Saverio Russo and Dr Monica Craciun addresses an industrial quest for transparent materials with high electrical conductivity.

The material, based on the so-called wonder material graphene (pictured left), could be a defining discovery of the 21st Century.

A point-of-care diagnostic test to detect lifethreatening invasive fungal disease

Outstanding impact in technology

A new event recognition system for water distribution networks

University lead: Dr Chris Thornton Dr Thornton’s innovative diagnostic test, capable of rapidly detecting the frequently fatal lung disease invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, can be used quickly and at the patient’s bedside, potentially saving many lives.

A cheap and simple device has been commercialised through a spin-out company Isca Diagnostics, enabling global take-up by hospitals and distribution agreements with international diagnostic companies. Patent applications to protect the device have also been filed.

Isca is also a partner SME in a newly funded five year EU funded grant which will develop novel imaging technologies for aspergillosis detection.

 

Their discovery, GraphExeter, could be used to develop wearable electronic displays, highly efficient solar panels, and many other cutting-edge products.

Technologies such as solar panels, touch screen devices and LEDs all rely on transparent conductors, but their performance is constrained by current materials compared to what could be achieved with GraphExeter.

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Supporting entrepreneurship Supporting student entrepreneurs at Exeter More than 800 students a year benefit from our entrepreneur support network which helps them network with each other and access start-up funding. The network provides individual tailored support to around 75 students a year.

This support encompasses a range of services including mentoring, networking opportunities, workshops, work space and resources and support for entrepreneurship societies.

Budding entrepreneurs can call on support from the Students’ Guild IGNITE team, Innovation Centre staff, and the wider SETsquared business incubator, which is a partnership of five universities.

These services provide invaluable support for our entrepreneurs and have been championed by those who have already accessed the services.

Student entrepreneur Jacob Marsh, founder of ModMyPi, which manufactures cases for the Raspberry Pi computer, said: “Without the help of Innovation Centre mentors we would not have achieved and sustained the levels of growth and development we have experienced.”

Find out more about some of our success stories:

Jollie’s Socks

Macaw Designs

Social enterprise Jollie’s Socks donates a pair of warm socks to a homeless organisation for every pair of brightly coloured socks sold.

Macaw Designs, established by final year student Ali Gillum, makes protective cases for iPads, phones and laptops.

Jollie’s Socks was founded by student Ed Vickers in his first year of study at the University of Exeter.

The company secured more than £5,000 from the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) following its launch in December 2012, and plans to expand its product offering.

Ali also set up the Macaw Foundation which runs arts and crafts workshops for young people in Exeter. Plus 10 per cent of the company’s profits help to fund The Magic Carpet, an Exeter based organisation which uses arts for health.

As well as receiving a grant from enterprise supporting UnLtd, Ali received start-up funding from HEIF which has enabled her to broaden her marketing activity.

Ali began hand making the protective cases during her second year at University and demand from family and friends prompted the founding of social enterprise.

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CoLinked

Whike UK, the UK’s exclusive distributor of the Whike BV, a sail assisted tricycle, enhanced their presence at trade events and implemented improved business logistics with a Student Start Up Award and support from the Innovation Centre staff.

CoLinked, creators of the innovative SoundSYNK app, competed with the world’s top entrepreneurial talent to win the 2013 Microsoft Imagine Cup - a prestigious international student technology contest.

Ned Aufenast established the company after he designed a recumbent trike with a sail as part of an A-level project.

Elements of Ned’s design were incorporated into a similar product of Dutch company Whike BV with whom he maintains a strong partnership.

Supporting entrepreneurship

Whike

The win saw them secure the top prize of £50,000 to launch their business and product. They are now negotiating a contract with Nokia, and are part of Microsoft’s incubator space.

With the SoundSYNK app, users can connect their devices together and all play the same song in perfect harmony.

CoLinked formed at the regional heats of the Microsoft Imagine Cup which were hosted by the Students’ Guild IGNITE team and facilitated by SETsquared.

Elite Sports Bags Sporty student Ben Ivey became the first student awarded a licence permitting him to use the University trademarks on a product after he identified a gap in the market for sports bags bearing the University logo or crest.

After making use of HEIF funding to produce samples, the final product was launched at the start of the academic year 2013/14 and is now flying off the shelves of the Students’ Guild shop.

centre EXETER

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Thank you for attending the Exeter Impact Awards The 2013 Exeter Impact Awards celebrate the impact of research taking place across the University. The awards recognise successes in knowledge exchange, collaborative working and partnership, which have led to benefits for the wider economy and society.

If you would like to find out more about any University research following tonight’s event, please contact: Research and Knowledge Transfer Penryn: University of Exeter (Penryn Campus) Peter Lanyon Building, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ UK Phone: +44 (0)1326 371881 Email: rkt@exeter.ac.uk

www.exeter.ac.uk/research @UofE_Research Design and animation by University of Exeter Design Studio

Thank you to our main sponsor for supporting tonight’s event

100% recycled 2013 RKT 045

Exeter: University of Exeter (Streatham Campus) Innovation Centre, Rennes Drive, Exeter, Devon EX4 4RN UK Phone: +44 (0)1392 723456 Email: rkt@exeter.ac.uk