RISE
Research Innovation and Internationalisation News
August/September 2011
From the Office of the
Pro-Vice-Chancellor
Research and Innovation
Welcome
I welcome you to a new look issue of RISE.
This August/September issue brings you, as
ever, insights into some of the ongoing research
and innovative new projects here at Salford
University.
Universities are always busy places and this year has been particularly so for us here at Salford as we focus
our sights, research and teaching, onto an exciting new chapter in our history. As you read this issue of
RISE part of our campus will have relocated down the road to Salford Quays to take up residence in our
new building with brand new fantastic and futuristic facilities at MediaCityUK (MCUK).
The University’s innovative and creative new building at MCUK will deliver new courses and research
pathways into technology for the future. As researchers we learn from the past; its inventions, decisions,
and the way we lived and worked. The University recently celebrated the past life of one Salford’s famous
sons, James Prescott Joule, by purchasing his home Joule House, which sits on the University campus.
This is the house where Joule conducted his famous experiments into energy and heat, leading to the
unit of energy ‘joule’ being named after him. Salford and its forefathers such as Joule were at the birth of
the Industrial Revolution, the University’s move to MCUK will be at the beginning of a new technological
revolution moving us further forward into a new and exciting digital age. You can read more about our
new building and all it can offer on page 8.
There is so much more for you to read about in this issue. Whilst reading through if you feel that our
research is of interest to you, is applicable to your needs or can support your business, policy or processes
in any way, please do contact us. The University of Salford’s door is always open to conversation,
collaboration and new partnerships.
All are welcome!
Professor Ghassan Aouad
Pro Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation)
August/September | 03
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Magazine
Contents
At the vanguard of a digital revolution 06
Past into present
The Northern years
10
Watch, read and learn… with pugh!
13
Keeping the lights on
14
Touch me, feel me use me
16
Child obesity and family intervention
Holding back the flood
17
The BBC audio research partnership
20
Emotional intelligence in research
22
A thing created is loved before it exists…
24
12
18
Education in a changing environment
conference 25
Yawning gap between man and dog
26
Modelling for efficiency
28
Ministerial tour of the Energy House
29
Heat, light, speed, sounds and floods...
30
Excavating a revolution
32
Good business in the Metropolis
= Innopolis 33
Exciting thermals!
34
Research visit to detainee prisons
in Kurdistan, Iraq
35
A new perspective
35
Celebrating good research
36
Waste not want not
37
Reconstruction for peace
38
Research,discuss, implement… The Disaster Resilience Conference
Salford to Bangladesh
40
41
The written word
The Salford low-energy house 41
Student detectives in the digital age
43
Strategic planning 43
Crossing boundaries with Creative Hive
44
Jazz standards
45
Working well
46
New appointments
47
04 | August/September
06
10
28
17
18
42
14
Postgraduate news
Nurses’ experience of caring for men
with sexual dysfunction in Jordan
50
The real A&E – Planning for emergency
52
Robotic applications - the future
53
Ultrasound image research
53
Artificial intelligence in architecture 54
Time to design with children
55
Science visits, the teenager and impact
55
Postgraduate awards 56
26
International news
Global nursing
61
PhD quality indicators for biomedicine
and health sciences
61
Vice-Chancellor visit to India
62
Other international news
62
Forthcoming events
63
Contact details
64
30
53
August/September | 05
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Magazine
At the vanguard
of a digital revolution
Our move to MediaCityUK is now a reality as we open on October
4th. With more than 1600 researchers, academics and students
collaborating with several major partnerships at the starting line
we are off to exciting new possibilities.
06 | August/September
August/September | 07
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Magazine
T
he USA University Carnegie
Mellon will be researching in
close partnership with the
University. Based in Pittsburgh,
USA, and currently ranked 20th in the world
by the Times Higher Education, Carnegie
Mellon has forged a major new partnership
with Salford. This innovative new partnership
will see Salford collaborating with the arts
and technology institution on a number of
projects designed to share knowledge in
the digital, media and creative subjects
developing both institutions’ expertise.
Regular collaborations in areas such as
acoustics and media asset management
will produce concrete outputs in research
and help inform new courses, a joined up
approach and strong collaboration.
There will also be student and staff exchanges
and, for science fiction fans, the exciting
possibility of meeting Anthony Daniels (AKA
C3PO in Star Wars) who’s a visiting professor
at Carnegie Mellon! Producer and Professor
at Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment
Technology Center, Don Marinelli, said:
“The University of Salford is a world leader in
the area of acoustics and audio research and
development. We therefore have much to
learn from Salford in that regard, while
reciprocating in other areas of digital media.
The Research Hotel
will be located at
MediaCityUK for
researchers working
on themes related to
the digital and creative
industries.
Researchers from any discipline will soon be
able to tap into the University’s academic
expertise whenever they need it, thanks to
the ground-breaking Research Hotel, housed
at the University’s MediaCityUK facility.
The Hotel is available to academic staff and
postgraduate researchers working on
themes related to digital futures and the
creative industries.
Characterised by a creative interdisciplinary
mix of research expertise, into which can be
added academics from partner institutions
and, crucially, from industry, teams of external
researchers from any area of work will be
encouraged to drop in and collaborate with
Salford researchers to find new ways of
working and creating innovative solutions.
Collaborative projects with BT on
08 | August/September
Above: The University of Salford will be located
on the first four floors of this disctinctive building
Opposite: The latest in technology will
be available
Below right: This is the ‘diamond’ feature which
sets the University building apart
communication and networks and the BBC’s
R&D team looking at issues including technical
innovation, digital asset management and
personal media, the Research Hotel is already
welcoming its first guests! Mike Hession,
Research and Innovation Manager for
MediaCityUK, explains: “There’s always been
a thirst for business to work with academia
and look for new ways of working, but this
was often a complex and time-consuming
process, the Research Hotel is different. We
will be able to set partnerships up quickly and
work in a highly flexible manner with our
partners, delivering what they need, when
they need it”.
The University’s building has some of the most
advanced facilities of any institution: Living
Lab; HD TV studios; radio broadcast facilities
and a digital performance lab; researchers
who will be using software that makes
collaborative working easier than ever;
Media Asset Management systems which will
be more advanced than those which many
media organisations use and will enable easy,
real-time collaboration; a location alongside
the BBC, ITV and numerous smaller
independent companies; 22 taught
postgraduate courses in subjects as diverse
as journalism, audio technology and database
and web-based systems.
Professor Brian Longhurst, Pro Vice-Chancellor,
Media and Digital Futures at Salford University
said: “I’m hugely excited about the opportunities our new facility at MediaCityUK will bring.
The research, development and innovations
that will stem from our investments are truly
indicative of the University’s achievements
and aspirations. A number of key principles
inform everything we are doing, With our
overriding approach being to network in
flexible and open ways that ensure the best
forms of partnership working. We are also
committed to operating in a genuine
interdisciplinary way. Our aspiration is that,
through our own efforts and our partnerships,
we will be world leading in everything we do.
The University’s research and development
work will link to the talent stream that is
represented by our students across a wide
variety of programmes. Our work with
Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment
Technology Center, the BBC, and our
instigation of the Research Hotel indicate the
successes that we are already having.
In addition, the Framework for Research and
Innovation at Media City (FIRM) which we
lead, can have a further impact, but it’s also
important to remember that MediaCityUK is
not just about the ‘media’, but about practices
associated with digital technologies which
are transforming our society, economy and
politics, such as conversations with colleagues
from Health and Social Care where we are
researching into new innovations in digital
health care that will take place at
MediaCityUK, where the University of Salford
will be in the vanguard of new development
and technologies”.
Name: Brain Longhurst
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.firm-innovation.net
August/September | 09
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Magazine
Past into present
Competitive cultural heritage
In this fast paced business world, of buying globally as cheaply as possible;
goods being made in one country to ship to another country that actually used to
make the goods themselves, industry and skills depleting in areas that may never
return; somewhere along the line do we lose not only our industrial production and
the jobs that fulfil members of our society and build our communities, but also our
technical and industrial heritage? For Dr Aleksej Heinze, Senior Lecturer in Salford
Business School, researching into enterprise cultural heritage, this is an area he
feels we sadly overlook.
C
ommenting on our industrial losses
Aleksej said: “A number of
companies are steeped in history
and have a rich collection of recipes,
knowledge of traditional production methods
and links with the location of their area and
many more unrealised assets. This knowledge
of an organisation’s past is invaluable in the
current economic climate; it enables them to
differentiate themselves from others and to
innovate their products and services, thereby
giving them a competitive advantage.
The term used to describe this knowledge
asset is Enterprise Cultural Heritage (ECH)”.
The need to celebrate ECH and thus maintain
the competitiveness and innovation in Small
and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is at the heart
of the European project – MNEMOS. This
research project, funded by the EU Leonardo
Lifelong Learning Programme, is conducted in
partnership with five European countries (the
Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Italy and the
UK). MNEMOS aims to understand the often
hidden heritage values of enterprises and help
companies to re-discover and preserve their
valuable ECH assets to drive their quality and
innovation. Free vocational training material
has been developed to support companies
in exploiting and effectively managing their
cultural heritage. Based on the project’s survey
findings, which revealed strong indications
that SMEs are interested in exploiting their
cultural heritage, the MNEMOS team
discovered that the majority of those
interviewed found it difficult to identify and
exploit the economic value of their ECH.
Taking the needs of SMEs as a starting point,
an innovative concept of ‘Enterprise Cultural
Heritage Management’ has been developed by
the project team, the benefits to SME are:
10 | August/September
Integration of ECH management with four
aspects of existing company activities;
Brand management, Change management,
Heritage management and Intellectual
Property management; Identification,
realisation and preservation of the heritage
values attached to the company’s products
and services; Celebration of the differences
that the company brings to its customers by
highlighting, through its communications,
its historic roots and how these make their
services and products so special.
This company is one of the most significant
examples of an enterprise-museum, in which
design-oriented production and ECH values
are integrated into a management model
mixing enterprise business processes with
cultural heritage. Mr Leo sums up the
necessity of ECH perfectly when he states
that: “Quality of production does not come
from machinery but from the understanding of people, in the way that they relate to
each other and feel that they are contributors
towards the success of the company in an
international context” .
The theory all sounds very good but what
does it actually mean in practice? How do you
ensure as a SME that you are using your ECH
to the best advantage of your organisation?
MNEMOS has identified a number of
organisations across Europe that are already
using their ECH successfully, by highlighting
their history, traditions, values and culture in
order to raise them above others in the market
and be more competitive. The Lancaster,
UK, based J. Atkinson & Co have been
producing coffees and blending teas since
1837, and recognise the importance of
preserving their heritage, continuing to use
the vintage roasters over more modern
machines as the traditional taste was the
very thing their customers bought into;
the Greek Haitoglou Bros have been
producing Macedonian Halva since 1924,
their production follows a set of key values
in order to use their ECH in their business
including preservation and incorporation
of craftsmanship into modern production
systems, respect for consumers, constant,
consistent quality and innovation amongst the
people who share and pursue the company’s
vision. Another successful company identified
in the South of Italy and established in 1873 is
Lanificio Leo.
This knowledge of an
organisation’s past is
invaluable in the current
economic climate
If you would like to know more about this
research contact Aleksej at: a.heinze@salford.
ac.uk or if you would like to access free
training material and read about more case
studies visit the project website at:
www.enterpriseculturaleheritage.org
This project has been funded with
support from the European Commission.
This publication reflects the view only of the
author, and the Commission cannot be held
responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained therein.
Right: Sue and Ian Steele,
J. Atkinson & Co. Lancaster
Name: Aleksej Heinze
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 11
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Magazine
The Northern years
There has been a lot of controversy in the news lately
about the move from the bejewelled south by the BBC and
its presenters to the land of the gritty North, with its dark
satanic mills, whippets, meat pies, and Coronation street
style housing!
T
ongue in cheek aside, the North is
really the place to be for art,
literature and music, past and
present. In fact the change in
entertainment in the latter 50 years of the
last century can quite justifiably say it started
here in the North where the descendants of
the Industrial Revolutionists started a new
revolution in music, art, broadcasting
and cinema.
A man who knows about cultural revolutions
is Dr. Chris Lee, School of Media, Music &
Performance here at the University, who was
recently invited to appear in the BBC Four TV
Documentary, 1960 - The Year of the North.
Chris said: “I was invited to appear in the
programme after my appearance the previous
year in the series Rude Britannia. The Director
invited me because of my expertise in the
field of Regional Studies and Popular Culture
and primarily because I’m from the North and
fiercely proud of it! Essentially the programme
looked at the seismic shift in the Arts and
Entertainment world that began in the 1950’s
and was fully realised in the early 1960’s when
Granada TV’s Coronation Street seized the
public’s hearts and minds and films like A Taste
of Honey became box-office smashes. This
was followed by the dominance in the music
charts of bands from the North such as The
Beatles and Herman’s Hermits”.
It was a play written by a 16 year old Salford
School girl, who had a loathing of the normal
portrayal of Northern workers who doffed
their caps and said “Sir” and were portrayed
as “gormless” when in fact they were “very
alive and cynical”, that brought opportunities
12 | August/September
for new writers to emerge. Chris continued:
“A Taste of Honey’s success saw a whole slew
of movies released, all filmed in the same
gritty, neo-realist style, leading the Press to tag
them ‘kitchen sink dramas’. To many viewers
and movie goers around the country they
were an eye opener. To us up here they were
reflections of life as it was really lived.
But where did this genre come from?
Simply put, there was a post-war reaction
to a society that was led by a stifling
establishment that had endured for so long.
Normal portrayal of
Northern workers
who doffed their caps
promiscuity. Pulling no punches this dystopian
view of the life of a Salford schoolgirl is never
the less a vibrant and modernistic affirmation
of life and Tony Richardson’s direction coupled
with Walter Lassally’s camera make full use
of Salford and Manchester as the panoramic
backdrop for Shelagh’s tale”.
To celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary the
University and Cornerhouse are holding a
special screening of A Taste of Honey, hosted
by Chris in November.
Name: Christopher Lee
Email: [email protected]
Young people in particular were abandoning
the values that had been in place for
generations and were fervently questioning
the status quo and the old ideas of
Imperialism and Empire. The disastrous war
in Suez in 1956 and the development of
atomic weapons gave creative fuel to the
newly emerging writers, poets and musicians
of that period.
Shelagh Delaney’s play is a prime example
of this trend. Written when she was sixteen
and first performed at Manchester’s Library
Theatre when she was 18, it rapidly
transferred to Stratford East in London
and was eventually made into a film in 1961.
The themes it centred around are startling
even for now, let alone a 1960’s schoolgirl;
pregnancy, inter-racial sex and homosexuality,
single-parenthood, alcohol abuse and adult
Above: Shelagh Delaney wrote this play aged 16
Watch, read and learn… with pugh!
Dawn Shaw Researcher and Senior Lecturer, School of
Computing, Science & Engineering here at the University
has recently launched an App on the Apple store called Pugh.
This is an interactive character designed to help hearing
impaired children learn to lip read.
T
he Pugh App and concept,
developed by Dawn, was born
from the idea to create characters
in which hearing impaired children
could learn facial movements and relate them
to words. The concept came from watching
cartoons in which deaf children have to rely
upon a signer in the bottom of the screen to
communicate the story.
Through teaching Media for over twelve
years Dawn understood the importance of
semiotics (the impact of gestures and signs in
communication) in effective storytelling.
These semiotics are lost when a hearing
impaired person focuses their attention on
the signer rather than the on screen action,
often leading to them not being able to grasp
all the intricacies of the plot. Dawn realised
a solution for this would be to design
characters which have realistic mouth
movements, allowing the watcher to lip
read and concentrate fully on the characters
and the associated semiotics, rather than
the signer.
Finding that there were few software
products out there tailored to this specific
area (the only other product being an
American product called Baldi an animated
human floating head for children to interact
with and learn to lip read) Dawn created
Pugh. Her aim was to create a character
which children can relate to and enjoy far
more easily than Baldi.
In developing Pugh’s realistic mouth
movements, sophisticated motion tracking
technology was used to track human mouth
movements when speaking, this data was
then used to develop the animated mouth
movements, with the end result of Pugh
being able to ‘speak’, with accurate mouth
movements, any text.
Pugh’s arms are going to be useful too!
He has been designed with arms so that in
future, as the project develops further, he
may be able to sign as well. We all know
that human speech has facial emotions
delivered along with the sound and this
is also an area that Dawn took into
consideration. In the designing of Pugh
the creation of eyebrows and moving eye
storks were included so that in project future
development he can convey emotions to the
words spoken.
The fact that Pugh can
create expressions of
emotion was important
in the design
In order to learn we need to relate to a
character and therefore the fact that Pugh
can create expressions of emotion was
important in the design.
Pugh is unusual in that it uses an avatar and
not a human for lip reading and with this in
mind Dawn needed to test Pugh in someway
for accuracy, so with support from the
Commercial & Technology Transfer office at
the University, she created Pugh as an IPhone
app for the initial testing.
Above: IPhone App, Pugh in action
Dawn is now working with local schools
for the hearing impaired to use the app
for educational purposes.
Pugh doesn’t end here though! The next
stage of his life is to develop him some
friends who can also sign, the aim being that
this will lead on to software for learning lip
reading as well as cartoons for the deaf and
hearing.
Name: Dawn Shaw
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 13
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Magazine
Keeping the lights on
Professor Keith Ross, School of Computing, Science &
Engineering here at the University, along with colleagues from
Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Sussex and Huddersfield
University’s have been looking at energy for our futures.
Are nuclear power plants our only way forward?
T
aking into account the fear factor
post Japanese Tsunami and the
chain of events around the reactors
there, how do scientists allay fears
of future safety issues around nuclear energy
and at the same time provide the levels of
energy needed in an environmentally friendly
way? How do we keep the lights on here in
the UK?
The only viable way of bringing more power
generation into operation on this timescale
would be to build more gas stations but that
would tie us to a (moderate) source CO2
emissions that would prevent the UK reaching
its target CO2 reduction for 2050. There is,
therefore, a well recognised need for research
that will enable the Operators to delay the
dates of final closure”.
Keith said: “Even if the UK’s plans to build a
series of new nuclear power stations goes
ahead as scheduled, in spite of the
Fukushima accident, the UK is potentially
facing a serious shortage of electric power
around the time that the current AGR
(Advanced Gas-Cooled) reactors, which
generate about 20% of our electric power,
reach their currently planned lifetimes
(~2023).
One of the main areas of concern that could
determine the reactor shut down schedule
is the moderator. The role of a reactor
moderator is to slow down the fast neutrons
produced by the nuclear fission taking place in
the reactor’s uranium fuel. This slowing down
process is a result of the fast neutrons striking
the carbon nuclei, causing them to recoil out
of their sites in the graphite lattice. EPSRC has
funded a powerful consortium of research
14 | August/September
groups in UK universities (Salford, Manchester,
Leeds, Nottingham, Sussex and Huddersfield)
to study the whole process of graphite
irradiation, using the more powerful
techniques now available to address one of
the main areas of concern - the safe limit for
the irradiation of the graphite moderator.
The overall research programme includes
trying to understand the behaviour of the
individual recoil carbon atoms, by using a
unique combined Atomic Bombardment
Accelerator/Transmission Electron Microscope
(now at Huddersfield) in which the build-up
of radiation damage can be studied in situ.
The results produced can be simulating by
Molecular Dynamics computer modelling
either for these energetic ions as used in situ
to match the damage observed by TEM or by
fast neutrons as in a reactor. Models for the
resulting lattice defects (buckles or folds) are
being simulated at Sussex (Professor Malcolm
Heggie and colleagues) while at Salford (Keith
Ross, Daniel Roach, Zhanna Mileeva and
Alice Bailey) are preparing to use Coherent
Neutron Inelastic Scattering (a new technique
being developed in the group) to measure
the dynamics of the carbon atoms involved in
these lattice defects. An important feature of
nuclear graphites is their porosity which exists
over a large range of length scales.
The UK is potentially
facing a serious
shortage of
electric power
Salford are applying Small Angle Neutron
Scattering and microgravimetric techniques
to studying this porosity - how it varies in
different kinds of graphite; how it absorbs the
dimensional changes that would otherwise
occur and how it links to radiological oxidation
processes. Salford also plan to use diffuse
neutron scattering to study the carbon-carbon
bond length distribution and hence the nature
of the carbon-carbon bonding and how this
varies with irradiation.
and colleagues) holds a unique collection of
nuclear graphites from a variety of sources
worldwide and will be using a variety of novel
techniques such as X-ray tomography to study
these while, at Nottingham, multi-scale
simulations will be used to attempt to understand the macroscopic consequences of our
microscopic models for fast neutron damage.
Keith continued: “The most significant
achievement of our research would be to
contribute new understanding that would
enable the Electrical Generating companies
to keep their AGR reactors running longer.
More than that, however, we would succeed
in the rejuvenation of a crucial research field
that is relevant not only to the current AGR
reactors but to the planned Generation 4 High
Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors that are
expected to take over from the current PWR
designs in the future and in training a future
generation of physicists to help in the
development of future zero CO2 power
generation technologies”.
Name: Keith Ross
Email: [email protected]
At Leeds (Professor Aidan Westwood and
Andrew Scott) will apply advanced electron
microscopy techniques to study virgin and
irradiated graphites. The Manchester
graphite group (Professor Barry Marsden
August/September | 15
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Magazine
Touch me, feel me use me Interactive studio working
What’s that you see across the studio floor? Gordon Burns, host of the BBC Northwest
Tonight Programme, utilising and enjoying the latest technology for presenters,
technology soon to be used on the studio floor of this regional programme.
S
o how did Gordon’s futuristic
touch screen ‘presenter’s dream’
technology arrive in the BBC
Studios? Read on to find out more!
Lee Griffiths, Lecturer and Researcher in
Computer Science here at the University
along with colleagues from the School of
Computing, Science and Engineering, were
commissioned by the BBC to develop an
interactive way of including social media
postings within the programme.
Lee said: “The BBC deliver many live studio
based news broadcasts which involve the
presenters interacting with media such as
static pictures, video and other data whilst
a discussion develops. In reality most of the
interaction is rehearsed, staged and
controlled by the show’s producer whilst the
broadcast is being delivered. This studio trial
of a Microsoft Surface™ based touch
application, will allow presenters to interact
with viewer submitted media in real time”.
16 | August/September
Lee who has recently produced a paper on this
work with Phil Smith, a colleague from the
BBC, continued:”Most TV companies have
attempted to address this shortfall in live
viewer interaction by launching a series of
social media feeds using services such as
Flickr, Twitter and Facebook.
It gave me total control
of the item, was visually
exciting and was fun to do:
I cant wait to have another
go, hopefully live on air!
These allow viewers to submit stories,
comments and images relating to topical
issues and these comments are often sent in
as a show is being aired. Thus the traditional
model for presenter interaction cannot take
advantage of the dynamic and real-time
Above: Gordon Burns testing the application on
the set of North West Tonight
nature of social media as the comments used
in the show need to be prepared earlier in the
day. The research team set about developing
a studio-friendly software application to run
on a table top device which would give
presenters the ability to directly manipulate
this real-time information in a live broadcast
studio setting whilst at the same time allows
the producers ultimate editorial control of
content off camera”.
That’s the theory and its worked well in
practice! Gordon said: “It gave me total
control of the item, was visually exciting and
was fun to do; I can’t wait to have another
go, hopefully live on air!”
Name: Lee Griffiths
Email: [email protected]
Child obesity and family
intervention
Childhood obesity isn’t just a UK problem we know it’s an issue in many countries.
However it’s not something that a child can tackle alone, lifestyle intervention is
needed through a family behavioural-change approach with respect to physical
activity and diet.
P
rofessor Lindsey Dugdill, School
of Health Sciences, here at the
University, and colleagues
from Liverpool John Moores
University and Leeds Metropolitan University
have recently published research findings on a
study exploring the relationship between adult
BMI change and child BMI SDS (BMI Standard
Deviation Score) change following completion
of a community-based, lifestyle change
intervention for obese children and families
in Liverpool.
The research focused on a family based
programme for overweight children and
young people called GOALS (Getting Our
Active Lifestyles Started). GOALS is a healthy
lifestyle programme that helps families with
overweight or obese children, make small,
realistic changes to their physical activity and
eating behaviours.
Lindsey said: “GOALS supported the whole
family in making gradual, sustainable changes
to their levels of physical activity and their
eating patterns. The intervention involved
families working in a group for eighteen 2
hour, once weekly, sessions. These focused on
diet, physical activity and behaviour change,
and involved practical cooking and classroom
sessions to equip families with the skills and
knowledge to eat a healthy balanced diet
(based on the Food Standards Agency Eat
well Plate). Physical activity as we know is
a key factor in addressing obesity and the
intervention also included weekly, fun based,
physical activity sessions for adults and
children together, with emphasis on
enhancing self efficacy for physical activity
through modeling, achieving targets and
goals with positive reinforcement all the
way through”.
Above: Physical activity and family fun helping to
combat obesity and diabetes
The research results clearly show a strong
positive association between adult BMI change
and child BMI SDS change, and demonstrate
that family adult members being involved
in the weight loss process improves child
treatment outcomes.
Acknowledgements: Liverpool City Council
(SportsLinx), Liverpool PCT, Alder Hey
Children’s Hospital, families who participated
in the GOALS intervention
This work was funded through the
Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (2006-2008)
and the Working Neighbourhood Fund
(2008-2009)
Name: Lindsey Dugdill
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 17
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Magazine
Holding back
the flood
Since the year 2000, over 4 million people have been affected by flood in Europe. In
England alone, about 3.8 million properties are at risk of surface water flooding.
W
e need water to work, clean, flourish and function,
but what do we do when we have too much water and
we experience flooding in our towns and villages such
as Cockermouth, which has been badly hit in the last
two years? Professor Miklas Scholz, Chair in Civil Engineering and
Director of the Civil Engineering Research Centre (CERC), from the
School of Computing, Science and Engineering here at the University,
working with colleagues on a new European research project which
aims to boost flood defences by better using reservoirs, may just have
the answer.
Civil Engineers at The University of Salford are calling for owners of
water bodies such as water companies and local authorities to boost
the UK’s flood defences by using our extensive network of reservoirs
to take up excess water during heavy rainfall. The team of researchers
have surveyed hundreds of sites in Germany, England and Scotland,
which are either abandoned or full to the brim, and suggest that for
little or no extra cost, a capacity of millions of gallons could be added
to absorb high water levels. In the case of full reservoirs, the researchers
discovered that there is little need to operate them at full capacity
during the wettest months, so that by keeping them less full, there is
room for heavy rainfall runoff to be stored, whilst also reducing the
pressure placed on dams by having constantly full reservoirs.
By bringing back old reservoirs into use upstream
more green spaces can be used for other purposes
than flood control downstream
Members of CERC from the School of Computing, Science &
Engineering have also looked at hundreds of sites in Scotland’s Central
Belt, which have been abandoned by Scottish Water, because they are
obsolete, too small or have become too polluted to store drinking
water. By bringing these back into operation, they would have the
capacity to absorb a huge amount of flood water. However, this
would require a shift in the current reservoir management strategy.
Some water companies currently sell smaller reservoirs to fishing clubs
and members of the public to avoid being liable for them under the
Flood and Water Management Act 2010.
Right: Professor Miklas Scholz overlooking a reservoir
near Pitlochry, Scotland
Current small-scale flood defences such as sustainable drainage
systems and flood defence walls are expensive for local authorities
and property developers to build and maintain by bringing back old
reservoirs into use upstream more green spaces can be used for other
purposes than flood control downstream. The added capacity will also
help to reduce pollution from agricultural and industrial runoff.
Miklas, who is leading this research at the University, said “In the area
around Perth, we found that of 40 reservoirs, only two were in use for
drinking water production, by using the other 38 for flood control, we
can save lives and millions of pounds on reduced flood damage and on
building new flood defences and sustainable drainage systems further
downstream in the catchment”.
At the heart of the research is the mathematical categorisation of water
bodies using the European Union-funded Sustainable Flood Retention
Basin Concept developed by Miklas and his research team at CERC.
Bodies of water are assessed on 55 variables such as Engineered, Mean
Flooding Depth, Maximum Flood Water Volume, Managed Mean
Flooding Depth and Managed Maximum Flood Water Volume.
The latter two compound variables are novel and essential in identifying
the under-utilised flood control potential of former and current water
supply reservoirs. The data are then applied to create risk maps, which
can be used by authorities for planning and flood control purposes.
This novel methodology also helps to produce reliable flood risk
management maps more cost-effectively and rapidly. Miklas’ proposed
geostatistical methodology will aid stakeholder communication by
delivering information to planners and authorities regarding the
most favourable locations for Sustainable Flood Retention Basin
development. Implementing this research as part of preparing reservoir
flood plans and planning for new flood storage infrastructure now
could save heartache, anguish and lives in the future.
The Environment Agency and some water companies have taken a
keen interest in discussing opportunities on how to implement this
research into practice. The most likely pathway to success is to lobby
for changes to the Reservoirs Act 1975, which traditionally puts
more importance on drinking water provision than on flood control.
Legislation needs to recognize the need for flood storage to be used to
compensate for effects of increased urbanisation and climate change.
Name: Miklas Scholz
Email: [email protected]
18 | August/September
August/September | 19
RISE
Magazine
The BBC audio research
partnership
‘Did you hear that?’ ‘Can you hear me?’ ‘Listen to this!’
Phrases common in everyday life, we take our audio perceptions
and soundscape in our lives for granted and we expect the best.
W
hen we watch a film or listen
to music or sit in front of
the TV we expect the audio
quality and technologies to be
the best they can. Here at Salford University,
in partnership with the BBC, Professor Yiu
Lam and colleagues are working on ground
breaking acoustic research to provide the best
for the future.
The concept of the BBC Audio Research
Partnership (ARP) began when the BBC
R&D identified the importance of
advancing audio delivery to match the fast
pace of media developments over multiple
broadcasting platforms. It was recognised that
such advancement could only be achieved
through synergy developed in a network of
excellence involving leading researchers in
this field. In a sequence of visits and
internal evaluations, the BBC identified the top
five universities that matched their strategic
needs. Among the five universities, two were
identified as primary partners. Salford, with
its leading presence in acoustics and audio
In July this year the Partnership was launched
in the newly opened BBC building in the
MediaCityUK to an audience of guests from a
wide cross-section of the creative, media and
broadcasting industry and academic institutes.
Professor Lam said: “The vision of the ARP
is to drive internationally leading research,
training, and commercialisation of audio
and acoustics applied to broadcast; forming
a pipeline of innovation for the BBC and its
partners. The University of Salford is ideally
placed to deliver this thanks to the world class
research, staff and facilities in the Acoustics
Research Centre (ARC) allied with extensive
central support services for bidding and
commercialisation”.
The creation of MediaCityUK and the close
proximity of the Salford University building
to BBC will offer many benefits to the Audio
Research Partnership. As part of an ambitious
development plan the University has taken
103,000 square feet over 4 floors in the heart
of MediaCityUK next door to the BBC. The
building is designed as a state of the art
Salford and its partners will
develop formative and
internationally leading research
in audio and accoustics
research through its Acoustics Research Centre
was recognised as a key primary partner.
Along with University of Surrey, Queen Mary
University London, University of Southampton,
and York University, a partnership was formed
to map the research expertise at these universities to the BBC’s strategic plans in audio R&D
with Salford concentrating on Acoustics and
Spatial Audio.
20 | August/September
facility for teaching, research and enterprise
activity centred on media and digital futures.
A key aim of the building is to create both
physical and virtual collaborative spaces to
foster and facilitate research with external
organizations. The collaborative research
activities between the BBC and the Acoustics
Research Centre under the ARP will be a
substantial part of this. Facilities within the
MediaCityUK building include TV studios,
radio studios, edit suites, animation, 3D
modelling and audio post production suites,
a mobile and ubiquitous computing lab,
and a ‘The Egg’ offering an environment
where prototypes and interactive technologies developed as part of the Audio Research
Partnership can be assessed and showcased.
The Acoustics Research Centre (ARC) at
Salford has over 35 years track record of high
quality research in acoustics. Yiu continued:
ARC is the only sizable UK university group in
audio acoustics that undertakes specialist
research, dedicated graduate and postgraduate training, and provides commercial services
to industry. The synergy between research,
teaching, and commercial works has enabled
the Centre to establish its leadership in
building, environmental, and audio acoustics
research. It is backed up by a wide range of
state-of-the-art acoustics facilities. The ARC
has an extensive portfolio of projects that map
onto the key research themes designated by
the BBC, with tremendous synergy between
areas of excellence within the ARC and the
strategic aims of BBC Audio and Acoustics
research. The ARC facilities will be key
contributors to Audio Research Partnership
research projects, ensuring the world class
facilities at its disposal are utilised to full
impact for the BBC and its partners.
This exciting opportunity for Salford and its
partners will enable them to develop
transformative and internationally leading
research in audio and acoustics that create real
impacts applied to broadcast. The vision is to
develop fundamental audio technologies that
enable the enrichment of audience experience
for future broadcast delivered over a variety
of platforms, and allows the exploitation of
innovative broadcast options to create new
dimensions in production and broadcast
contents. A range of projects and
development work, both in research and
training, will be undertaken by Salford to drive
through these goals. At Salford, the initial
focus will be on the delivery of spatial audio
and periphony in the acoustic environment of
living rooms. Examples of planned projects in
the first year include: Compression of
ambisonics for broadcast; Ambisonic
reproduction in living room acoustics;
Spatial audio delivery using unconventional
loudspeakers; Enhancing binaural listening
using ear scans. The ARC and the BBC are
currently working on an exciting EU FP7
project Fascinate (new paradigm in
broadcast) along with projects on periphony
for broadcast and a Knowledge Transfer
Project around event sound extraction.
The ARC is fully committed to exploit
this exciting opportunity provided by the
Partnership. With all this research ongoing
and the development and implementation of
new ideas, the acoustic future sounds perfect!
Above: Acoustics Research Partnership
Research Team with colleagues at MediaCityUK
Name: Yiu Lam
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 21
RISE
Magazine
Emotional intelligence
in research
Scientific research, especially in health, is how we move
knowledge forward, how we cure disease, make life healthier,
happier and longer.
T
he Petri dish, research lab, medical
testing and analysis all play equal
vital roles in research but what
about the emotional side of health
research? Especially in sensitive areas such as
Breast Cancer? Professor Stuart Mackay, Lead
for the Emotional Intelligence (EI) Research
Line of Enquiry, in the Directorate of
Radiography here at the University, along
with internal and external colleagues have
been looking into just such an issue.
Stuart said: “Two years ago the Directorate
of Radiography changed the direction of its
research. It began to focus into clinical
research and one key focus of this work was
the area of Breast Imaging. We began to
explore this field from the perspective of the
technical equipment, the science, but also
recognised the importance of the perspective
of the patient and practitioner to be able to
achieve the goal of improvements in clinical
practice through applied research. This focus
on the human side of research gave rise to the
Emotional Intelligence line of enquiry within
the research programme”.
The research team have been advancing
considerably, since the initial discussion
between Stuart and Dr Ashley Weinberg,
Directorate of Psychology, Counselling and
Psychotherapy at the University, which started
this whole line of enquiry. Now two years
down the line the research team has a wide
range of expertise from within Salford and
other universities across the NHS. The team
have representation from psychologists
with expertise in EI, clinical colleagues from
the NHS breast screening programme,
a Professor of statistics, user/carer input and
close links with 8 Trust hospitals in the North
West of England. Stuart continued: “EI is the
way we recognise emotions within ourselves
and others, understand the impact of these
emotions and set about behaving in a way
that will bring about optimum outcomes.
For example in a situation where a woman is
about to undergo a mammogram, an x-ray
of the breast, you have a highly emotionally
charged situation yet the mammographer, a
radiographer with specialist training to x-ray
the breast, has to gain the confidence and
compliance of the women in order to be able
to get the best quality image enabling the
potential cancer to be diagnosed. Women
respond in many different ways to this sort
of situation and so recognising the emotion
within the women, recognising and
controlling their own emotions and being able
to behave in a way that enables optimum
communication and positioning of the
women are vital to producing an accurate
breast cancer diagnosis. There is a paucity of
research in EI in the clinical environment and
so we have been exploring this concept to see
if EI has a clinical application”.
With an endorsement for the Salford Breast
Research Group from the Director of Public
Policy at the College of Radiographers,
Stuart and the team are currently exploring
the possible link between EI and clinical
performance in mammographers in
the NHS, with a three-way measure of
performance: validated patient experience
tools; physical measurement of the
compression force applied during the
mammogram; and image quality of the
final mammogram.
EI can be taught and learned, and with this
in mind a group of radiography, psychology,
nursing and HR staff from across the university
along with clinical staff, with funding support
from the Higher Education Innovation Fund,
are developing an EI course. The Course will
take a blended learning approach and include
e-learning and work-based activities along
with face-to-face group learning at the
university to try and improve the EI of
participants.
Though its only early days Stuart said: “early
results from our work have shown that
radiographers do have higher EI than a
normative sample and that there are
differences between subgroups of the
profession with mammographers coming
out as higher scoring. Our multicentre trial
exploring the EI and psychological profile of
mammographers and the link with patient
experience is almost complete so results will
be available next year”.
Name: Stuart Mackay
Email: [email protected]
Addendum: As this article goes to press the EI team have officially been invited to work with the Australian Institute of Radiography to undertake
a national survey of EI in Australian Radiographers to carry out an international comparison with our UK wide EI survey.
22 | August/September
August/September | 23
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Magazine
A thing created
is loved before
it exists…
All the recent controversy around
rising university fees and the
provision of Higher Education in
the future raises other concerns:
will anyone go to university
anymore for the sheer pleasure
of learning, of being creative
of doing and forming something
wonderful and new?
W
hat about those who don’t follow the traditional
educational route, will they able to go to university?
Here at the University of Salford, the School of English,
Sociology, Politics and Contemporary History (ESPaCH)
are ensuring that creativity doesn’t die through lack of funds, they are
taking their Creative Writing Team to new heights with one particular
student finding success out of trauma.
The Creative Writing team in the School of ESPaCH is gaining a
growing reputation for research into innovative approaches to the
pedagogy of writing skills. Dr Ursula Hurley, who teaches on the BA
English and Creative Writing programme, has published widely on the
teaching of fiction and memoir, Ursula’s research informs the design
and delivery of her modules, research which clearly benefits her
students, as one such student, Neil Blower, has discovered. Neil has
just completed the first year of Salford’s BA English and Creative
Writing programme and has also just signed his first book deal!
Wonderful things can happen when
people are given the tools and techniques
to help them
After taking a module on writing autobiography, designed by Ursula
and delivered by the Creative Writing Team, Neil was inspired to write
about his experiences of active service in Afghanistan. The result is a
novella, entitled The Diary of Tommy Atkins, a fictionalised diary of a
soldier’s experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
24 | August/September
Above: Dr Ursula Hurley, Lecturer Creative Writing Programme
Neil himself is also a sufferer of PTSD. With no conventional
qualifications Neil was admitted to the BA course via the Accreditation
of Prior Experience and Learning route, and is a prime example of
the necessity for Higher Education to open its doors to learning
opportunities for all, Neil is the first member of his family to go to
University. His book will be published by Fire Step Press, and launched
at the Imperial War Museum North in September, Neil has already
featured on Radio 1 and been interviewed on Radio 5 Live by
Nicky Campbell.
Ursula said: ‘It’s inspiring to see my research contributing to the success
of our students. Wonderful things can happen when people are given
the tools and techniques to help them tell their own unique stories.
Neil has worked really hard to get to this point and I hope this is the
first of many books for him”.
Name: Ursula Hurley
Email: [email protected]
Education in a changing
environment conference
The 6th International Education in a Changing Environment Conference
(ECE) was held at the University recently with delegates and presenters
arriving from 31 countries across 5 continents. Despite the Salford summer
weather, a fantastic, creative and innovative time was had by all.
T
he ECE is a biennial event and
conference theme this time round
focussed on Creativity and
Engagement in Higher Education.
Identifying Social Media; Learning, Teaching
and Assessment; Network and Partnerships
as key themes, the conference explored the
relationship between pedagogical research
and best practice, with examples from
across the globe via a mixture of research
presentations, Pecha Kucha, workshops,
demonstrations and posters.
Conference opened with a keynote speech
from University Vice Chancellor Professor
Martin Hall. Martin spoke about the
importance of engaging students in new and
innovative ways especially at a time when
Higher Education is undergoing great change.
Guest keynote speakers at the conference
included: Professor Alec Couros, a world
leading authority on social media in
education; Glynis Cousin, Professor of Higher
Education and Director of the Institute for
Learning Enhancement at the University of
Wolverhampton; Norman Jackson, Professor
of Higher Education and the former Director
of the Surrey Centre for Excellence in
Professional Training and Saul Nassé,
Controller of Learning, BBC.
This was the first time that the ECE conference
had called for full research papers and Pecha
Kucha and with fantastic results. There was
a response of over 100 abstract and 50 full
research paper submissions. Prizes abounded
as well at the 6th ECE as Emerald Group
Publishing presented two paper prizes, Elsevier
awarded a prize for Best Paper in Healthcare
Education, Dwelltime awarded a prize for the
best Pecha Kucha presentation and a prize
for the best paper on the use of the web
and emerging technologies in education
and McGraw Hill awarded a prize for the
best poster.
With conference feedback such as: “worth
travelling 10,000 miles for!” and “best
international research conference I’ve been
to” plus many more like these, the University
certainly held a successful research event, but
it didn’t end there! Post conference, Frances
Bell, Conference Chair for Full Papers, held a
publication workshop for those who missed
out at the conference, with one participant
saying: “The workshop was really energising.
It was a writing-awakening for me”.
Conference research papers and abstracts
are being published on USIR, the networking is continuing via the website, CrowdVine
and Twitter, and with a special edition in the
PESTLHE journal, the research arising out of
this conference will pave the way to new
ideas and innovative practices in higher
education institutions around the globe.
Web: www.ece.salford.ac.uk
August/September | 25
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Magazine
Yawning gap
between man
and dog
When someone else yawns do
you yawn too? When you hear
someone yawning does
it make you yawn as well?
This is known as contagious
yawning; where only reading
the word ‘yawn’ is sufficient
to induce yawning in some
people. (Have you yawned
yet?)
R
ecent research has suggested one’s propensity
to ‘catch’ yawns from others might be linked to
empathy, as people who score highly on an
empathy index are more likely to catch yawns
than others. But can this putative empathic link cross the
species divide? Dr Sean O’Hara, a lecturer in wildlife
cognition and behaviour in the School of Environment &
Life Sciences, here at the University, is working to provide
an answer to this question.
Domestic dogs are especially noted for their attentiveness to
human behaviour and are impressive in responding to only
very subtle cues. This attention to another’s behavioural and
emotional state led researchers of a 2008 study to report
that dogs catch yawns from humans, and at rates that even
exceeded those of contagious yawning reported for humans
and chimpanzees. The report’s authors suggested dogs
might therefore possess rudimentary empathy
(and empathy capable of crossing the species divide).
Sean’s study attempted to test
dogs under conditions that were
designed to preserve the dogs’
sense of familiarity and emotional
connectedness to the yawner
However, Sean’s (and co-author Amy Reeve’s) research,
recently published in the journal Animal Behaviour, has cast
doubt on this finding. Unlike the original 2008 research,
Sean’s study attempted to test dogs under conditions that
were designed to preserve the dogs’ sense of familiarity and
emotional connectedness to the yawner.
26 | August/September
Above:
Sean and Chico,
the Lurcher
So dogs were tested in their own homes and the yawner,
in some trials, was the owner; thus homing in on any
empathicpropensities. Under these more natural conditions,
however, dogs failed to catch yawns.
One reason why dogs may have yawned in the 2008 study
could have been because the lab testing conditions induced
yawning as a consequence of anxiety. In Sean’s study heart
rate measurements were taken before, during and after the
trials to demonstrate that his subjects were not being
psychologically stressed by the test conditions. This meant
any yawns seen could be attributed to contagion rather
than stress induced. Under these affable conditions though,
subjects didn’t catch yawns from familiar or unfamiliar
people and they didn’t even catch yawns when played
videos of fellow dogs yawning.
behaviour and is believed to be cognitively challenging but,
increasingly studies are beginning to show that some
animals, like many non-human primates, elephants,
social carnivores, and even some invertebrates, are also
capable of social learning.
The empathy and emotional-connectedness with owners
link appears to have been dealt a blow. As Sean said when
interviewed for the May edition of Science News: “I’m afraid
it’s not looking good for canines and contagious yawning”.
However, it need not be a fatal blow as empathy is not a two
way street; just because people feel emotionally-connected
to their dogs doesn’t mean that dogs must reciprocate
emotionally.
Sean continued: “Our pets probably don’t feel for us the way
we feel about them, they rely on us as the source of their
needs and they are clever at using us to help them acquire
what they need, but they needn’t feel anything towards us
despite us often thinking that they might care about us, or
us wanting them to! In contrast however we know people
are often very emotionally-connected to their pets. Previous
research has shown that the bereavement following the loss
of a dog is as emotionally stressful as the loss of a (human)
loved one. Clearly we do empathise with our pets”.
Contagion does not constitute
social learning – it’s only a
‘matching’ response that is ‘released’
when one sees another performing
the action.
Top Right:
Chico, played
a role in Sean’s
research
Sean is currently researching into the reverse idea. If owners
are emotionally-connected to their dogs will they ‘catch’
yawns from their pets? Dog owners are currently being
recruited to test whether they are more likely to yawn in
response to seeing their own dog yawn rather than an
unfamiliar dog yawning. Cross-species contagious yawning
has recently suffered a setback but, who knows, with this
new research it might make a comeback – just in the reverse
direction!
Name: Sean O’Hara
Email: [email protected]
Contagion is an important aspect of behavioural research
because evidence of its existence in a species promotes the
idea that the species might be capable of social learning.
However, it provides initial evidence that individuals might
respond to others’ social cues, and if ‘matching’ is coupled
with individual learning this constitutes social learning.
Solving problems via social learning is a hallmark of human
August/September | 27
RISE
Magazine
Right: ThinkPod
Colour Creative
exterior wall
Below:
Willmott Dixon
Project image
Modelling for
efficiency
In these difficult economic times, the building industry is experiencing hardships in
many areas, good management and forward planning in large scale builds is essential
in order to use available resources efficiently.
E
ver present with the ethos of real
world research for real world issues,
research into 3D modelling, ongoing
here at Salford. The University’s state
of the art ThinkLab, is bringing in partners
from all corners of the industry to discuss
shared projects, plan new research areas and
discover the best way forward for the building
industry. Building Information Modelling and
Management (BIMM) is recognised as an area
of high potential benefit to the construction
industry and recently Willmott Dixon
Construction hosted an event in the ThinkLab
with the aim of developing a strategy that
could drive efficiencies on their construction
sites through the implementation of BIMM.
Andre Witter, Operations Manager for
Willmott Dixon’s Manchester Office said:
“3D modelling has been used by design
consultants for many years now, however we
see BIMM as the product of a truly integrated
team working to deliver a coordinated
information rich three dimensional model.
28 | August/September
This model will help to reduce waste and
produce outputs to support and streamline
our management processes resulting in
benefits to the businesses involved, our clients
and end users”.
In response to this commitment from Willmott
Dixon, design consultants and building
services subcontractor, Old Moat Primary
School (a new build project for Manchester
City Council who are big BIMM advocates)
was chosen as a demonstration project to
display to guests from Manchester City
Council and industry professionals. ThinkLab’s
3D visualisation platform was used to
demonstrate the project including:
visualisation walk through; integrated
modelling; clash detection; schedule
production; specification loading;
operation and maintenance information
loading and construction time lining.
Showing designs to the user is always a good
way forward and this project certainly did that.
The early afternoon session involved a group
of staff and pupils from Old Moat School.
The THINKpod’s 3D technology was used to
take the children through the virtual school
using the BIMM model. This gave them
a great insight into their new school and
a number of the children took the
opportunity to navigate themselves through
the 3D models.
The day closed with representatives from the
other Constructors Partners on Manchester
City Council’s Framework 1 joining the Old
Moat team and the Council’s Framework and
Project Managers for a knowledge sharing
workshop. Experiences from Old Moat and
other BIM projects were shared along with
discussions regarding the industry’s uptake
and understanding of BIM.
Name: Carla Kocsis
Email: [email protected]
Left: Professor
Martin Hall with
Andrew Stunnell
MP outside the
Energy house
Ministerial tour of the
Energy House
The University’s fantastic new research facility, the Energy House, has caused such widespread
interest across industry and academia alike, that we often have people dropping in to discuss
potential projects or just to see what it all about. Most recently the house was visited by
Government Minister Andrew Stunnell MP, the Parliamentary under Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government.
A
ndrew’s visit included meeting and discussions with leading
academics and researchers working within the Energy
House and a tour of the Energy Hub, including Salford’s
Energy House and postgraduate area, where he chatted
to postgraduate students and Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
associates.
In anticipation of the Government’s Green Deal initiative due to be
launched next year, Andrew and his team heard how Salford
academics are conducting research into fuel poverty, aiming to help
low income and vulnerable people overcome fuel price rises and the
effects of energy inefficient housing. The latest figures published by
Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), indicate that around
21% of households in the UK are living in fuel poverty. This is set to
increase over the next few years, with fuel bills on the rise and the big
5 energy providers all announcing between a 15% and 20% rise in gas
and electricity bills.
Also highlighted during the visit was the cross disciplinary work being
undertaken at the University to reduce the threat of fuel poverty faced by
householders within the UK, including pioneering research to understand
how best to influence and change energy inefficient behaviour and habits
in the home. The Minister said: “Over 40 per cent of the UK’s green
house gas emissions come from the built environment, so we must make
every effort to ensure retrofit schemes like the ‘Green Deal’ work, or the
country risks losing its battle against climate change. That’s why I’ve come
to the Energy House today. This fantastic facility shows us that greening
our homes isn’t just an elite pastime, it’s something everyone can do.
With the countdown to the Green Deal underway, the Energy House will
be a vital tool for understanding how measures to improve energy
efficiency work in practice. I have argued for many years that we
must close the gap between the predicted improvements of
retrofitting and actual energy performance, so I’m delighted the
Energy House will help us achieve this”.
The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin Hall, added:
“We were very pleased to welcome Andrew to our Energy House.
His enthusiasm for our work clearly demonstrates that our
cutting-edge research into highly relevant energy issues is in line
with the Government’s ambition to make all UK homes zero
carbon from 2016”.
Fuel Poverty – A household is said to be in
fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than
10% of its income on fuel to maintain a
satisfactory heating regime.
It’s not only a new Energy House we have here at Salford but also
two new key members of staff; Richard Fitton, Energy House
Technical Manager and Gary Bateman Energy House Business
Development Manager. Richard, a Building Surveyor by trade
with a career focused on energy management will manage the
collaborative research that takes place within the house as well as
the running of the house itself. Gary has joined as a secondment
from Envirolink the business support organisation for the low carbon
and environmental goods and services sector. Two new additions to
a fantastic new project.
August/September | 29
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Magazine
Heat, light, speed,
sounds and floods...
Welcome to the School
of Computing, Science
& Engineering
Cross discipline and cross
theme working is something
we do well here at the
University of Salford, both
internally and with external
partners and never more
so than in the School of
Computing, Science &
Engineering (CSE).
W
orking closely with industry partners on
multi-disciplinary projects, CSE, addresses
key challenges which face our society
today and in the future including:
the management of energy consumption; reducing CO2,
emissions; water and its quality; the managing of floods
and pollution; examining the effects of noise on our societies
and environments and developing materials for a new and
sustainable future.
It’s estimated that households account for over 30% of
the energy consumption in the EU and 23% of UK CO2,
emissions. CSE in collaboration with Salford Business School
are currently working on a large European Commission
funded project called DEHEMS. This project has carried out
one of the largest household energy monitoring trials in
Europe and is studying patterns of usage and behaviour,
to make recommendations on reducing carbon footprint.
Thinking smart and acting smart is where the solutions are in
energy futures and in another CSE project, funded by British
Gas, researchers in the School are pursuing how data mining
can be applied on half-hourly energy usage data from
Smart meters to understand patterns that can lead to
recommendations for reducing energy consumption,
lower CO2, emissions and, lower bills.
Understanding and developing materials, applied to new
energy-saving and ecologically-sound contexts, remains a
major theme in our CSE’s Materialsand Physics research,
with a team of researchers working in our Materials
30 | August/September
Above:
Computer, Science
and Engineering
research work
CSE, addresses key challenges
which face our society today and
in the future
Characterisation Group. This research group has a strong
track record of their work gaining significant EU and EPSRC
grant awards highlighting the importance to society of
their research, with a particular focus of theirs around the
development of safe ways to store hydrogen to use as fuel
in cars. On-going investigations into new solar cell materials
compliment another strand of research whereby new
materials and processing techniques will lead to applications
for a more sustainable future.
from aerosols, you would think that this School would be
busy enough! But no read on, for not only does CSE do all
of the above but it is also home to one of the world’s leading
Acoustic Research Centres. CSE’s Acoustic Research Centre
(ARC) is so good in fact that the BBC in its recent move to
Salford has decided to use the University’s facilities for its
acoustic research rather than build its own (you can read
more about this research partnership on page 20).
This school has a fantastic reputation
for promoting and encouraging access
into their world
ARC has many current research projects ongoing
including: the Soundscapes project; research work with the
Department of Environment and Food Agency; collaborative
research work with Encraft Ltd and Ricardo UK around
characterisation of the sources of sound from structures
tested on roof mounted turbines, noises from vehicles
and noises from fuel pumps in aircraft.
With exciting new materials research in the recent
Nobel-Prize winning field involving the usage of grapheme
pushing further forward the boundaries in the applications
of nanomaterials; significant recent advances in biomaterial
applications with particular emphasis in the field of dentistry;
research into meta-materials stopping the travelling of light
giving the potential to revolutionise computing, medical
science and virtual reality; research into sustainable urban
drainage and water distribution networks; EPSRC funded
research into scheduling systems to speed up trains; major
European funded research on vibrations and noise on
residents near freight railways; research into the electrical
stimulation of muscles aimed at helping people with partial
paralysis and research into sprays that could dramatically
reduce the negative impact of hydrocarbon propellants
Above right:
Trying and testing
research
However CSE, Professors, Doctors and Researchers don’t
just sit in their research labs beavering away at their work!
This school has a fantastic reputation for promoting and
encouraging access into their world. By opening its doors to
a wider non scientific audience, taking their research work
to Schools and Colleges encouraging young girls and women
in to Science and Engineering, creating a better public
understanding of Science and Engineering and giving a
greater awareness of the real-world applications of
mathematics to sixth form students, this School is making
Computing, Science & Engineering accessible to all.
Name: Sunil Vadera
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 31
RISE
Magazine
Excavating a revolution
The textile mill is one of the iconic sites of the Industrial Revolution. However, static
museum displays showing the technology of mill engines and textile machinery in
modern museum buildings often fail to show the wider context of this technology.
It’s not until one visits museums that were built as textile mills, such as Helmshore in
Lancashire or Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire, show the full life-changing impact of this
technology becomes obvious.
D
r Mike Nevell, Head of Archaeology
at the University’s Centre for
Applied Archaeology, has, along
with his research team, just
completed a three month piece of applied
research work that demonstrates the value
of undertaking large-scale archaeological
work on the remains of the recent past.
Although analysis of the historic maps for
such a site can reveal the broad outline of the
development of such a mill, it is only
archaeological excavation that can reveal the
scale and scope of such sites. Targeting the
power systems for detailed analysis provides
an archaeological short cut for understanding
the way in which such a mill site developed”.
The archaeological investigation of Oak Mill in
Chadderton, Oldham, took place as part of a
planning condition funded by the developer
ahead of a scheme for new social housing.
These investigations revealed the foundations
of a late 19th century cotton spinning mill on
the site.
At Oak Mill large earth-moving machinery was
used to locate and clear the rubble from the
major elements of the power systems of the
cotton mill. This involved removing tonnes of
spoil from the remains of the boiler house,
one of two steam engines, and the site of
the flues and chimney to reveal the heart
of this factory.
Although the six storey mill block was working
as recently as 1929 and was demolished in
1934, northing of the scale of the site
was visible on the ground. Mike said:
“Investigating textile mills from this period
can be very confusing with a variety of
manufacturing process potentially available;
from wool and silk production to linen and
cotton with a variety of production stages
leaving different types of remains; from
power systems and production floors to
warehousing and office buildings.
32 | August/September
The eventual exposed remains covered an
area 50m by 70m and survived up to 5m high.
Using mechanical diggers on such robust
industrial sites not only speeds up the
excavation process, but also makes the site
safer to investigate. It also provides more time
to record the technological details of
the power systems and foundations.
Above left: Oak Mill chimney base
Above right: Oak Mill Boiler House
whole site as quickly as possible. At Oak Mill
this was done through the use of detailed
aerial photography that produced images of
the boiler and engine houses, whose plans
from this angle looked more like circuit
diagrams than building foundations!
In recent years the intimate relationship
between the standing ruins, archive material
and the archaeological remains of industrial
sites has been shown by excavations across
the UK. From Glasgow, through Lancashire to
London, archaeology is revealing new insights
into the role and impact of that iconic image
of industrialisation, the textile mill. Of the
Centre’s work Mike said: “Our Centre is
leading the way in exploring and
developing new recording techniques for
such sites, recovering information about the
recent past that can only be achieved through
archaeological work”.
Name: Mike Nevell
Email: [email protected]
Yet even here, it is necessary to use rapid
recording techniques in order to cover the
Right:
Innopolis study
visit group
Good business in the
Metropolis = Innopolis
Creative partnerships, joint working and exchanging experiences, this is the ethos
behind the INNOPOLIS project.
I
NNOPOLIS is a project which identifies and disseminates
best practice in innovation policy in university city-regions,
focussing on regional policy that facilitates knowledge co-creation
between universities and enterprises and is a partnership between
universities and regional authorities in four diverse European university
city-regions: Greater Manchester, Helsinki, Lodz and Thessaloniki. So
far the project has documented over 125 European cases of University/
Industry Knowledge Exchange and 25 National ‘Best Policy Practices’
to stimulate Knowledge Exchange. The project is now developing a
methodology to help policy makers understand which policies and
practices would suit their region and its context. With all the above
at the forefront the fourth study visit and seminar for the project
was hosted recently by the University of Salford and Manchester
Knowledge Capital.
The objective of the North West visit was to gain a better
understanding of best policy practices for knowledge exchange,
looking at examples and case studies from Greater Manchester.
The programme showcased some of the excellent knowledge exchange
and innovation support activities underway across the city region and
provided an opportunity for project partners to discuss the successes,
challenges and benefits of knowledge exchange from a variety of
perspectives. Hearing directly from the key actors involved in a whole
range of knowledge exchange cases – from niche technology SMEs to
large multi-national businesses, academics from various disciplines and
support intermediaries such as incubators and KTP Associates provided
unique and in-depth insights into knowledge exchange in action.
taken by GM’s universities to working with other partners across the
city and beyond, overcoming current challenges and meeting the future
global ambitions of Manchester’s knowledge economy. The partners
also visited the spatial initiatives driving forward the city region’s main
innovation hubs of Corridor Manchester, Manchester Science Parks and
MediaCityUK. In addition to visits with leading-edge research facilities
including the University of Salford’s ThinkLab and Energy House, the
area’s sporting knowledge assets were on display showcasing the
University’s work with elite athletes across the UK and of course
Manchester United Football Club!
INNOPOLIS Project Director, Professor Carl Abbott said: “Universities
and cities are the wellsprings of innovation. Manchester and Salford
were at the heart of the Industrial Revolution and the ripples that
started here transformed the world. This inheritance coupled with a
pioneering spirit and supported by world-class universities shapes the
context for innovation in the city-region to this day. I’m certain that
our project partners were enthused by the variety, scale and ambition
of the knowledge exchange practices that were investigated.
Along with our partners we have now documented and analysed
over 125 knowledge exchange practices and 25 innovation policies.
The results of this analysis will play a vital role in enabling policy makers
to understand which policies and practices are likely to thrive in their
regions allowing them to strengthen the roles of universities in
driving innovation and so improving economic competitiveness and
wider wellbeing”.
Name: Carl Abbott / Elena Vasilieva
Setting the context for knowledge exchange in Greater Manchester
to enable a better understanding of its innovation ecosystem, the
INNOPOLIS project partners heard about the engagement approaches
Email: c.abbott@salford / [email protected]
Website: http://knowledgecities.eu/intro
This project is funded by the EU’s European Regional Development fund through the INTERREG IVC programme. This communication reflects the view only of the
author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
August/September | 33
RISE
Magazine
Exciting thermals
Energy bills going up, incomes going down, we all know the cost
of running and heating a home or a business or constructing new
buildings and workplaces is expensive. Don’t forget your carbon
footprint, we all need to be thinking of this at a personal and
commercial level balancing the environment in the here and
now as well as planning and constructing a safe environment
for future generations.
D
o you find this stressful or
worrying? Are there too many
environmental and energy issues
to worry about as well as actually
constructing the buildings or running the
business? If you’re trying to tackle such
issues on your own it can be, but there are
experts to help who are easily contacted and
can work with you or your business to reduce
your concerns, and here at the University of
Salford we have lots of them!
If you’re a regular reader of RISE you will
have seen the articles on the new Energy
Research Hub here at the University which is
attracting a fantastic amount (nationally and
internationally) of interest from academia
and industry alike. The Hub does a fantastic
job, but there’s more! There are ‘pockets’
of research ongoing across all the University
Colleges and Schools that tackle the issue of
energy. Here research examines the human
effect of: energy consumption; its efficiency;
how we use it with regard to our health, work
and leisure time; the use of energy in industry
and commercial enterprises and how we
ensure strict standards and adherence
to guidelines with regard to such as
CO₂ emissions.
The Thermal Measurement
Laboratory which is part of
Salford Analytical Services
One such ‘pocket’ here at the University
is the Thermal Measurement Laboratory
which is part of Salford Analytical Services
(SAS). Dr Kerry Abrams, Technical Consultant
said: “With the introduction of the Climate
Change Act and the commitment to reduce
CO2 emissions by at least 26% by 2020 and
80% by 2050, the Construction industry is in
34 | August/September
the process of renewal. The introduction of
new building regulations to ensure all new
properties are “carbon zero” and government
policies like the Green Deal which will enable
to help and support the growth predicted in
the Insulation material sector.
Materials stringently following
British and European product
and measurement standards
Whether it’s working closely with companies
focussing on insulation materials produced
from renewable and ‘green’ materials such
as sheep’s wool or recycled plastic bottles,
or testing the performance of newer, more
innovative materials or even improving existing
insulators that have been produced using
lower global warming potential gases, our
professional practise and UKAS accreditation is
invaluable to our customers”.
Name: Kerry Abrams
Email: [email protected]
Above: Salford Analytical Services work in action
homeowners to make their homes more
energy efficient mean that the types of
materials used in construction must be
optimised for its purpose”.
First accredited in 1981, the University of
Salford’s UKAS accredited thermal measurement laboratory offers expertise in all aspects
of thermal properties of building materials,
energy conservation, insulation materials and
methods. This commercial service provides
thermal conductivity/resistance measurements
of building and insulation materials stringently
following British and European product and
measurement standards. The Laboratory is
also an OFGEM approved test house.
Kerry continued: “This is an exciting time for
the Thermal Lab as we are placed perfectly
Web: www.analytical-services.salford.ac.uk/
Thermal_Measurement_Laboratory
Research visit to
detainee prisons in
Kurdistan, Iraq
Dr. Elaine Crawley, Director of the
University’s Centre for Prison
Studies has recently returned from
Kurdistan where she spent three
weeks conducting research with
prison officers.
T
he aim of the project, which was made possible by an award
from the British Institute for the Study of Iraq (BISI),
and by the granting of formal access into prisons by Judge
Qadir, Director of General Security (Asayish) Kurdistan
Region-Sulaimaniyah, was to explore the experience of prison work
for officers working in detainee prisons.
are generally held under suspicion of; terrorism, drug smuggling or
fraud.Inevitably, the political, economic and cultural past of Kurdistan
has had a significant impact not only on prison policy and practice in
the region but also on the character of the prisoner population and,
ultimately, on the role of the prison officer itself.
Elaine is seeking to identify: the key
challenges for officers working in
detainee prisons
Through interviews with male and female officers working in 5
detainee prisons (Sulaimaniyah city; Kani Goma; Raparin; Garmian;
Halabja) Elaine is seeking to identify: the key challenges for officers
working in detainee prisons; officers’ perceptions of their work role
and their expectations/needs with regard to training and the ways in
which prison officer training, working practices and, ultimately, the
role itself might be enhanced. Elaine is currently drafting a report on
her findings to present to Judge Qadir and his Prison Directors, and
is delighted to have developed such a positive working relationship
with Prison Departments in Kurdistan and looks forward to conducting
further research later in the year.
Name: Elaine Crawley
Email: [email protected]
In Kurdistan, prisons for prisoners awaiting a court appearance are
under the authority of the Asayish, the security and intelligence agency
for the region. Detainees held by the Prison Department of the Asayish
A new perspective
In the August 2010 issue of RISE we gave you a
glimpse through the lenses of Photography
Programme Leader, Lawrence George Giles.
Lawrence, in partnership with Openeye Gallery,
the Bluecoat and National Museums Liverpool,
embarked on an exciting new initiative to establish
Liverpool’s first ever international photography
festival.
T
he festival entitled
LOOK11 is dedicated
to pushing the
boundaries and
categories of contemporary
photography practice whilst
developing ideas around our
collective photographic future.
Three years in the planning
the LOOK11 1st International
Photography Festival took place
recently in Liverpool and was a
great success.
In the second decade of the 21st
century, photography continues
to be deployed to bear witness and
to make the case for change. In
various guises, from concerned
reportage and social documentary
to activist networks and citizen
journalism, photographers,
artists and campaigners give
photographs a central place in
their calls to action. Look2011
provided a platform for individuals, communities and non-professionals to create and share
work alongside both nationally
and internationally established
photographers and artists and in
so doing contribute to both art
form and audience development,
locally, regionally and nationally.
Lawrence, whose own areas of
research and personal practice
are in visual narrative, digital art
and media and the importance of
extending audiences and
audience participation, said:
“The Festival launched to great
acclaim and has provided
opportunities to establish links
and socialised networks with
fellow practitioners, institutions
and organisations from within
and outside of the UK.
Significantly the University’s
involvement and support of the
Festival will have benefits in terms
of fostering long-lasting key
contacts within these organisations in respect to the wider field
of photographic practice”.
He continued: “The Festival also
reflects the University’s strategic
aims with regard to media and
the creative economy, whilst there
has already been direct benefits
for my Level 4 BA Photography
students who have exhibited
work at the Bluecoat gallery in
May this year providing them
with real world experience and
opportunities to meet and work
alongside a myriad of potential
future employers from a range of
institutions. Core to the Festival
has been the work undertaken
with local communities and
community groups, in respect to
public engagement and widening
participation whilst the overriding
theme and visual presence that
LOOK11 has attained provide a
strong series of assets which run
across the universities stated goals
and strategic planning”.
Lawrence is currently working
towards LOOK13 and establishing
the festival as a biennial event,
he is also interested in community inclusion and widening
participation via the University’s
programmes.
Name: Lawrence Giles
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.look2011.co.uk
August/September | 35
RISE
Magazine
Celebrating
good research
The newly formed College
of Science & Technology at
the University continued
its yearly celebration of its
excellent record of research
by holding a Research
Showcase recently.
T
he Showcase, which took place in Maxwell Hall,
provided an opportunity to review the College’s
research highlights from the last academic year.
In addition to promoting and showcasing the
College’s diverse research portfolio the event had the effect
of advancing multi-disciplinary work across the College and
between the University Themes of the Built and Human
Environment, Energy, Health and Wellbeing and Media,
Digital Technology and the Creative Economy.
The Dean’s Prize is an award which
acknowledges an early career
researcher who has made an
exceptional contribution to research
over the past twelve months
The event attracted 130 researchers, which also included the
award of the Dean’s Annual Research Prize. The Dean’s Prize
is an award which acknowledges an early career researcher
who has made an exceptional contribution to research
over the past twelve months. This could be through the
production of significant new research findings, high quality
publications or achieving a prestigious grant. This year’s
award was presented to Dr Devi Prasad Tumula (see
opposite), from the school of Computing, Science and
Engineering. The award was presented by Professor Ghassan
Aouad, College Dean and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research
and Innovation. As part of his prize Prasad was invited to
spend 30 minutes presenting his research to the College
with a talk entitled ‘Sustainable Water Resources’.
Over lunch 105 research posters created by staff and
students were on display, covering a wide range of
topics from each of the three Schools (Computer, Science
& Engineering; Environmental Life Sciences; School
of the Built Environment) within the College. Student
posters were judged on organization and clarity,
presentation, and report of the research and six students
(two from each School) offering the best posters were
awarded a £100 prize.
36 | August/September
Above:
Wind Turbines
and Solar Cell
Fabrication
Our congratulations go to the prize winners for their high
quality posters, and outstanding research projects, winners
are as follows:
School of the Built Environment:
Elham Sfandyarifard, Salford Centre for Research &
Innovation (SCRI) – ‘Future Practice of Children’s Hospital
Design through Participatory Approaches’
Benny Hidayat, Management in Construction Research
Centre – ‘Knowledge Communication in Post-Disaster
Reconstruction Project’
School of Computing, Science & Engineering:
Jane Mooney, Virtual Environment & Future Media Research
Centre – ‘Evolving Emergency Planning Tabletop Exercises’
Sreejith Karthikeyan, Materials & Physics Research Centre –
‘Properties of CulnSe₂and Mo Thin Films Produced by Pulsed
d.c Magnetron Sputtering for Solar Cell Fabrication’
Waste not want not
The Deans Prize, an award presented
as part of the College of Science and
Technology’s Research Showcase event,
was awarded to Dr Prasad Devi Tumula.
P
rasad is a Lecturer and Researcher within
the College and during the last 15 years he
has focused his research efforts on the
development of tools for the sustainable
management of water/wastewater systems. Prasad’s
research has contributed to the development of eight
novel methods for the management of water and
wastewater systems. He has particular expertise in the
development of tools (for rehabilitation, leakage and
water quality management) that have continued to push
the state‐of‐the‐art for water network modelling using
artificial intelligence techniques.
He has secured external funding continually over the
past eight years from organisations such as the Royal
Academy of Engineering, Scottish Higher Education
Funding Council (ERP), and United Utilities. With over
40 scientific articles published in international journals,
its clear to see why Prasad is achieving funding from
organisations seeking real results for real problems,
such as funding received recently from United Utilities
to investigate the Iron and Manganese problems in water
distribution networks.
School of Environment & Life Sciences:
Carly Tetley, Centre for Environmental Systems and Wildlife
Research – ‘Keeper ratings of animal personality as a tool for
improving the breeding, management and welfare of zoo
animals’
Kathrin Scherer, Centre for Biochemistry, Drug Design &
Cancer Research – ‘Intracellular Uptake of E-combretastatins
by Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging’
You can read more about Elham and Jane’s research in the
Post Graduate Research section in this issue. The event was a
great success, and enabled the College staff to spend some
time together in an informal environment, discussing their
research and exploring potential new collaborations.
Name: Lynn Clarke
Email: [email protected]
Above:
Testing liquids and
preparing a study
Prasad said: “Unfortunately, many decades of
accumulation in distribution systems and periodic release
of significant quantities of Mn and other adsorbed
compounds associated with the Mn deposits can cause
more than the traditional aesthetic issues. The process
of deposition and release of these compounds is highly
complex and, at present, not amenable to physical
modelling. Presence of high concentrations of Fe and Mn
will lead to higher operational and maintenance costs to
water companies, vis-à-vis to consumers. Pilot work will
be carried out, on a test network, to study the influence
variation of parameters such as pH and dissolved oxygen
on the manganese deposition in pipe networks”.
This research has Prasad research has led to work with
various academic organisations both in the UK and
Internationally, researching into the management of
sustainable urban drainge systems, a collaboration with
Napier and Edinburgh Universities to across the globe
and warmer climes working with DongA University in
South Korea, here Prasad researched into leakage
management in water supply systems, in collaboration
with the Hanil Networks.
Name: Prasad Devi Tumula
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 37
RISE
Centre for Disaster Resilience
Reconstruction
for peace
While war in the North and East of Sri Lanka has
ended, peace, especially sustainable peace, is not so
easily forthcoming.
H
ere at the University the work of the Disaster
Resilience Centre (DRC), focuses on many vital
areas in the post disaster process, and now
to add to their portfolio of projects they have
been successful in gaining a further award, this time from
the British High Commission in Colombo, for a project
entitled ‘Conflict Prevention through Infrastructure
Reconstruction’. Lead by Dr Richard Haigh from DRC,
Reconstruction for Peace is a one‐year programme of
research and capacity building that seeks to explore
the interaction between youth and infrastructure
reconstruction programmes in the North and East of Sri
Lanka as a means to prevent future conflict in the region.
The Salford team (Dr Richard Haigh, Professor Dilanthi
Amaratunga & Professor Martin Hall) will work with
colleagues from Sri Lankan Universities (Colombo, Jaffna,
and Eastern University) on the project examining: how
reconstruction programmes engage, employ, connect and
divide youth in the region; the extent to which inequality in
access to infrastructure affects social cohesion among youth
and the factors of infrastructure reconstruction programmes
that are most sensitive to impacting conflict prevention.
The evidence gained from the study will be used to inform
policy development and build the capacities of the
Universities in the North and East of Sri Lanka and the Sri
Lankan construction industry (including SMEs) and local
government engaged in reconstruction projects within
the region.
Conflict to peace through
the rebuilding of the socio‐
economic framework of
the affected society
Richard said: “Post‐conflict reconstruction supports the
transition from conflict to peace through the rebuilding
of the socio‐economic framework of the affected society.
However, there is a need to pay special attention to conflict
dynamics that may arise through the development work”.
38 | August/September
Right: Damaged homes in war torn Sri-Lanka
Interest in helping to support a lasting resolution to the
Sri Lanka conflict has led some to focus efforts on
strengthening incentives for peace and reconciliation,
including encouraging conflict sensitive approaches and
supporting post conflict recovery and reconstruction.
Physical infrastructure, broadly defined to include services
that are essential ingredients to the quality of life and
economic activity, has the potential to connect or divide
communities. Reconstructing the physical infrastructure
after a war can help in the peace building process through
restoring dignity, providing a much needed employment
opportunity and promoting conflict sensitive approaches
Dilanthi added: “Any physical reconstruction needs to be
tailored to the needs of the affected people, including
diverse ethnic groups.
Precautions need to be taken to avoid repeating mistakes
that occurred during post tsunami reconstruction efforts
e.g. a lack of consideration of ethnic co‐existence.
Conflict also tends to deepen gender discrimination and
disadvantages faced by women. Similarly youth, who have
been born into and often participated in the war, must
overcome persisting inequalities and differential access to
opportunities, while the elderly face challenging economic
constraints and often require special care”.
There is growing recognition that reconstruction requires
interdisciplinarity solutions and that those professions
traditionally involved in the reconstruction of infrastructure
must understand the sensitive environment in which they
will be operating. Understanding the needs of those living
in the region will be vital if reconstruction is to help prevent
future conflict.
Name: Richard Haigh
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 39
RISE
Centre for Disaster Resilience
Research,discuss, implement…
The Disaster Resilience Conference
Above: Dr. Richard Haigh
speaking at the opening
ceremony of the International
Conference on Building
Resilience
The International Conference on Building Resilience. Organised by the
Centre for Disaster Resilience (CDR) from the School of the Built
Environment with colleagues from RMIT UniversityAustralia, and in
association with UNDP Sri Lanka the Disaster Management Center,
Ministry of Disaster Management, the Central Environmental Authority,
Ministry of Environment and the RICS Disaster Management Commission ,
recently held its interdisciplinary conference, at the Sri Lankan World
Heritage site, Kandalama.
W
orking closely with the local organisers and hosts; the
Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka, University
of Moratuwa, University of Peradeniya, and University
of Colombo, this International Conference on Building
Resilience welcomed over 125 international academics, practitioners,
professionals and policy makers concerned with interdisciplinary
approaches to disaster risk reduction and the development of
sustainable communities and cities. The conference had a particular
focus on the challenges associated with reconstruction of communities
in a post-war environment.
Incorporated into the programme were keynote addresses by respected
government officials, leading industrialists and implementers along with
distinguished local and international academics. Chief Guest, Minister
of External Affairs, Hon Professor G L Peries, and Guest of Honour,
Mrs Marina Mohamed, Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management Sri
Lanka, welcomed delegates and provided an important policy context
for the subsequent debate, highlighting national priorities and action
plans. They also established an expectation that the conference will
40 | August/September
serve as an impetus for further action in helping Sri Lanka to tackle the
challenge of disaster risk. With a busy and varied programme, which
also featured several workshops led by leading industrialists and
academics; presentation of 109 research articles and conference
outcomes that will be used to support the 2010-2011 United Nations
World Disaster Reduction campaign ‘Making Cities Resilient’,
a busy and productive time was had by all.
Research knowledge gained and shared at the conference will be
available to a wider audience as all accepted papers were published in
the conference proceedings and selected papers will also be published
in a special issue of the International Journal of Disaster Resilience in
the Built Environment, by Emerald Publishing.
Name: Dilanthi Amaratunga
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.buildresilience.org
Salford to Bangladesh
Sharing the knowledge
Dr Chaminda Pathirage, a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship winner, and
a Centre for Disaster Resilience (CDR) member, recently visited the
Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management,
Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) in Bangladesh.
A
part from engaging on a number
of collaborative research activities
in Bangladesh Chaminda’s primary
aim of visiting was data collection for his VC research project. His project
explores means of building resilience for
critical infrastructure facilities by capturing and
sharing good practices and lessons learned
from past disasters. During his visit
Chaminda had the opportunity to visit
flood and cyclone devastated villages near
Patuakhali and to meet up with Government,
NGOs and community representatives involved
with the reconstruction work and also
delivered a guest lecture on the role of CDR to
all academic staff members of the University,
emphasising the multi-disciplinary nature of
disaster management efforts.
Delivering a seminar on ‘Building Resilience
on Critical Infrastructure’ for undergraduate
students was also on Chaminda’s to do list.
This group of students are following a BSc
in Disaster Management which is the first
bachelors’ degree programme in this subject
area in south Asia. Chaminda certainly had
a busy and full diary during his research visit.
A visit which culminated in the inaugural
meeting of a further CDR project ‘Community
Engagement for Risk Erosion in Bangladesh
to Enhance LifeLong Advantage (CEREBELLA),
a British Council’s INSPIRE funded research
project between Salford and PSTU.
Name: Chaminda Pathirage
Email: [email protected]
The written word
The Centre for Disaster Resilience here at the University, continues its
work, building new partnerships, researching into real world issues and
embedding research to improve day to day lives in disaster areas.
T
he practical side of research is
essential, but spreading the word
and publicising findings and
evidence is crucial to further
progress. Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga and
Dr. Richard Haigh from the Centre have done
just this with the publication of their new
book; Post-Disaster Reconstruction of the
Built Environment: Rebuilding for Resilience’
published by Wiley-Blackwell. Dilanthi tells
us about the book: “Disasters threaten all
parts of the world and they appear to be
increasing in frequency, scale and intensity.
Despite huge improvements in the emergency response, permanent reconstruction is
often uncoordinated, inefficiently managed
and slow to begin. International agencies
are geared to an efficient response in terms
of humanitarian relief, but they are not well
versed in the requirements of long‐term
reconstruction, which is often constrained
by lack of planning and poorly coordinated
management.
The construction industry is typically engaged
in a range of critical activities after a disaster,
including provision of temporary shelter in the
immediate aftermath and restoration of
permanent shelter and public infrastructure
once the immediate humanitarian needs
have been attended to. Post-Disaster
Reconstruction of the Built Environment
identifies the challenges that face the industry
and highlights best practice to enable the
construction industry to address those
problems which make an effective response
to these unexpected events difficult. Written
by an international team of experts including
several researchers from School of the Built
Environment, Centre for Disaster Resilience,
this book will help researchers and advanced
students of construction understand the
problems faced by communities and the
construction industry when faced with a
natural or man-made disaster, and identify
the planning and management processes
required by the industry to mount an
effective response”.
Name: Richard Haigh
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 41
RISE
Magazine
Left: 1970’s Salford housing. 25% more
efficient than 2013 regulations.
Above: The Energy House 2011
The Salford lowenergy house
Learning from our past
The University and Energy research have been
in the news a lot recently due to the success of
the University’s Coronation Street style
Energy House, the new and exciting research
partnerships being formed with industrial
partners around the energy theme and the
BBC news website following the ‘life’ of the
house and it’s new partners.
I
t may appear to the untrained eye that the University is jumping
on the ‘energy bandwagon’ but as Dr Phillip Brown, from the
University’s Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit, reminds us
that researchers at the University have been working in the
field of domestic energy efficiency for well over 30 years.
In the mid-1970s Salford City Council owned over 40,000 socially
rented dwellings of varied designs and ages. Many were poorly
insulated, were cold in winter and suffered from condensation with
subsequent mould and rot. The situation was aggravated, particularly
for low-income council tenants, by the ongoing Middle East crisis that
had led to uncertainties in the supply of oil, and the rapidly rising cost
of fuels. The Council approached Salford University with a request to
design with them an economic low-energy house that would meet a
list of stringent specifications which included: economic to build,
using established construction methods and materials; heating costs
and energy consumption should be much lower than existing houses
and the method of heating should be capable of adaptation; the
dwellings should place no limitations on normal living patterns
and general maintenance costs should be low.
42 | August/September
Philip said: “essentially the Salford houses had about four times the
thermal capacity, four times the insulation and about quarter times the
winter ventilation rates of what was then normal for similar buildings.
Extensive monitoring in the early 1980’s, and a follow-on study in
2010, showed that the houses had stable superior comfort
temperatures and used on average 25% of the space heating
energy of the average UK housing stock. Condensation was no
longer a problem. The costs for heating the properties went from
being £4 per week to £1 per week at 1980’s fuel prices”.
A multi-disciplinary University team comprising of Philip, Peter Webster,
Gareth Morris and Maria Burke returned to these properties and
explored how they had fared over time. The team found that most of
the properties are still in excellent condition and continue to be energy
saving in comparison to many, if not most, properties that have been
built across Salford since. In fact, the team concluded that the 1970’s
Salford design is thermally about 25% more efficient than impending
2013 UK building regulations and it should be able economically to
meet the proposed 2016 regulations, which will include a sustainable
near-zero carbon requirement, particularly if they are fitted with new
energy saving components.
The lessons from this work can influence
current policies
The residents were particularly happy with their houses, with most
occupiers being unaware that they were living in such innovative and
iconic properties! The houses and the recent research has generated
a lot of interest both domestically and internationally and discussions
have taken place with the Department for Communities and Local
Government (CLG) about how the lessons from this work can
influence current policies around new build accommodation.
Name: Philip Brown
Email: [email protected]
Student detectives
in the digital age
Innovative teaching practices
and research implemented in
real world situations are key
factors here at the University
of Salford and recently Dr David
Newton and Dr John Haggerty
from the School of Computing,
Science and Engineering gave a
group of ten computer science
students a fantastic real world
experience.
T
he students were given the
opportunity to take part in a truly
international experience when
they were invited to Amsterdam
for an intensive multi-national EU subsidised
programme of study called “e-discovery:
detectives in the digital age”.
The students were given seminars and talks
from a distinguished panel of European
experts in the fields of computer security,
privacy law and archiving, followed by the
opportunity to put their newly acquired
knowledge to the test in a series of carefully
orchestrated practical sessions. The Principal
Manager for the Forensic Technology Solution
section at Price-Waterhouse Cooper in The
Netherlands provided the closing lecture.
Working in teams where each member came
from a university from a different country, the
students learnt first hand about international
collaboration. These students are now in a
position to contribute significantly in ensuring
the forensic readiness of companies, both as
trainees and as future employees. Additionally,
students could become forensic technology
specialists in companies such as accountancy
firms.
David and John helped with technical
expertise at the practical sessions as well as
leading in two of the keynote programme
themes. David is very proud of his students
Strategic planning
In an earlier article in this issue of RISE we brought
you the research and methodologies behind the
prevention of flooding,
D
r Bingunath Ingirige,
School of the Built
Environment and
member of the
Research Centre for Disaster
Resilience at the University,
along with Professor Terrence
Fernando, Director of the
University’s prestigious ThinkLab,
have been tackling the situation
from the human, financial and
environment angle.
Bingunath and Terrence recently
hosted the Salford Strategic Flood
forum at the Think Lab, which
was chaired by Councillor Derek
Antrobus from Salford City
Council. This forum was
established as the best way to
implement recommendations
arising from the 2007 Pitt Review
into floods in the UK and also
plays an important co-ordinating
role in preparing Salford City
Council to deal with new
responsibilities emerging from the
Flood and Water Management
Act of 2010. University research
showcased at the forum focussed
on stakeholders and engagement,
which generated discussion and
debate among the forum
members who represented
Salford City Council and the
Environment Agency.
Professor Mike Kagioglou,
Head of School of the Built
Environment, in his welcome
address identified the importance
of multi-disciplinary work in the
area of flood risk mitigation and
community resilience, and how
multidisciplinary initiatives can
Above: David and John with students
achievements and said: “to their credit, the
students managed to balance the rich delights
of Amsterdam with the academic demands
pretty well. At least no one fell into a canal!”
Universities from France, Germany, the
Netherlands, Sweden, Croatia and Spain
participated in this, the first year of a three
year programme, which was hosted by The
University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam,
in 2012 the event will be hosted at the
University of Salford.
Name: David Newton
Email: [email protected]
significantly improve the impact
benefiting communities at large.
In his presentation, Bingunath
emphasised the importance of
the contribution that small
businesses make to local
economies and their increasing
vulnerability to effects of flooding
and other weather extremes.
Terrence along with Mr. Liam
Gaffney of the Environment
Agency, then went on to
demonstrate how 3D High
resolution mapping of the Irwell
flood basin helps in capturing
both the social and physical
dimensions of the flood risk
and enables wider stakeholder
engagement in the process.
Erik Bichard, Professor in
Regeneration and Sustainable
Development at the University,
highlighted how the local
communities can be incentivised
to take up property level flood
protection measures in his
presentation of the resilient
homes initiative. Bingunath, as
part of a RICS Education Trust
project entitled ‘Developing Flood
Expert knowledge in Chartered
Surveyors (DEFENCES)’, is also
leading a major initiative
examining how Allerdale Borough
Council, post and during the
Cockermouth Town Centre
floods of 2009, worked with
other agencies and community
groups to begin the recovery
process. The researchers will
conduct an exploratory study
into various stakeholder led
approaches to flood recovery in
Cockermouth, and assess how
important the recovery process is
to revitalising the local economy.
Dr Les Tickner, the Council’s Flood
Recovery Co-ordinator for
Cockermouth said: “This is a
great opportunity for Allerdale
Borough Council to share its
experience of working with the
community on emergency
planning and disaster recovery
with the University of Salford”.
Name: Bingu Ingirige
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 43
RISE
Magazine
Left: HIVE
interactive event
Crossing boundaries with
Creative Hive
Full time member of staff Alex Fenton has created
a ‘Hive ‘of activity amongst academics and
research students near and far recently with his
online creation of ‘Creative Hive’. Alex recently
completed an MA in Creative Technology and
works for the University based web development
company EDinteractive.
A
lex’s research work has been in RISE before when Creative
Hive was set up in May 2010 as a way for creative students
to be able to easily set up a blog and showcase for their
work on the web, which would last for the duration of
their studies and beyond. Just over a year later and we bring you news
of Creative Hive again, because its grown. Alex said: “Over 200 people
have joined so far from the Universities of Salford, Bradford and Carlisle
amongst others and member 200 was from across the globe from
Auckland University of Technology. People’s blog posts and projects
form their own web spaces for their studies or e-portfolios and create
a central, searchable melting pot of ideas, research, resource and
connections”.
In July 2011, Creative Hive came out of the virtual and went physical,
with a series of conference presentations and exhibitions. The first of
these was a paper presentation at Salford’s Education in a Changing
Environment Conference. This was a truly excellent event organised
by various parts of the University and bringing together a variety of
delegates and speakers from around the world. Creative Hive has a
showcase space for student work in the virtual world of Second Life
44 | August/September
and in July recently this space was used to give a virtual presentation
at the PLE Conference at Southampton University. The technology
came together at short notice to deliver a successful presentation
and a question and answer session.
Creative Hive is an open access, free to use
resource for staff or students to create a
showcase
Alex continued: “The support from staff and students for
Creative Hive so far has been outstanding and this has led to a series
of physical exhibitions. Starting in Allerton Studios at the University,
sixteen Creative Hive members exhibited their work in a variety of
disciplines including photography, sculpture, creative technology,
film, painting and more. These physical events really helped to
further showcase work and create a real dialogue for new and
interesting cross departmental collaborations. There will be further
Creative Hive exhibitions at MediaCityUK later in the year”.
Creative Hive is an open access, free to use resource for staff or
students to create a showcase. It has been designed to work in
tandem with other existing online resources and can help to draw
further attention to them.
Name: Alex Fenton
Email: [email protected]
Jazz standards
A previous issue of RISE featured an article on Professor
Tony Whyton and the ground breaking €1 million European
Research fund he was awarded ,the largest of its kind for Jazz
in Europe, to lead a three year pan European project entitled
Rhythm Changes: Jazz Cultures and European Identities.
O
ne year on and entering its
second year, the Salford-led project
team continues to engage in
an ambitious programme of
research activities. During the first year of
the project, Rhythm Changes has worked
collaboratively with different organisations
across Europe, from festivals to national music
information centres, examining the histories
and practices of jazz in 5 European countries.
Research activities have included archival
studies, interviews with influential musicians,
arts professionals and politicians, performance
projects and publications, and the project
team has continued to develop partnerships
locally, nationally and internationally.
To date, the project has produced 12
publications (including 2 edited books,
articles and book chapters) that have either
been published, or are in press, alongside
20 presentations at international events.
During the first year, Rhythm Changes
delivered a number of high profile Knowledge
Transfer events within major European jazz
festival settings (London, Rotterdam,
Amsterdam and Stavanger) and the Rhythm
Changes ‘Real Book’ project has been chosen
to lead Music Centre Netherlands’ (MCN)
media campaign this year.
Rhythm Changes’ collaboration with the
Europe Jazz Network will also result in a
major research study on behalf of this
Europe-wide organisation, demonstrating
the social and economic impact of its
members across 27 European countries.
Following the recent annual review of
HERA-funded projects, Rhythm Changes was
evaluated as ‘excellent’ by HERA reviewers
and the Joint Research Programme board.
One reviewer stated: “One of the most
striking qualities of this project, one that was
evident in its early application and continues
to be so, is the dynamic interrelationship of
excellent scholarship and public outreach. Of
course the very nature of the project calls for
this, but many projects often settle for the
scholarly or the public and fail to connect
the two. Rhythm Changes achieves this
interconnection in a dynamic and useful way”.
The evaluators commended the project on the
quality of its engagement activities and web
presence, describing the collaborative work of
the 13-strong project team as ‘exemplary’
and concluded: “this is an excellent project.
It offers an exciting scholarly undertaking,
in both approach and outcome, that
combines with a very positive public
enhancement of knowledge and appreciation
for jazz in general and in its particular, and
several, European contexts”.
The largest international
event ever hosted for jazz
studies research
The first Rhythm Changes conference will
take place in Amsterdam in September this
year. The event has attracted a record level of
interest from around the world and will be the
largest international event ever hosted for
jazz studies research and, in addition to
featuring presentations from speakers
representing 24 countries, will also include
a range of presentations, workshops,
and performances, commencing with a
concert at the famous Bimhuis Amsterdam.
Above: Team Hegdal taken at the Mai Jazz
Festival in Stavanger 2011
Bottom: Copenhagen Jazz Festival
Images by Andrew Dubber
Tony said: “I am delighted with the success
of the first year of Rhythm Changes and the
fantastic feedback we’ve had from HERA,
the project advisory board and our range
of stakeholders. This project has the
potential to break new ground in terms of
interdisciplinary scholarship and the team has
really shown how the fields of music, media
and cultural studies can come together in a
creative and positive way”.
Name: Tony Whyton
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 45
RISE
Magazine
Working well
Christine Parker, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences here at the
University, along with colleagues: Tamara Brown, Research Assistant in Vocational
Rehabilitation; Professor Lindsey Dugdill and Dr Margaret Coffey from Public Health,
has been engaged on a research project entitled ‘Working Well’.
T
he project focus is on reducing
sickness absence amongst NHS staff
and both the intervention and the
evaluation of the service have been
highly commended by Dame Carol Black who
heads up the Government’s nation-wide
initiatives in this area.
Christine said: “We all recognise that the
decision to go off sick or not varies
significantly between individuals, even
when their symptoms seem to be the same.
Research tells us that ‘good’ work is good
for our health and wellbeing but illness
perceptions and the attitudes and beliefs of
all parties, including healthcare professionals, play a large part in influencing sickness
absence behaviours”.
Sickness absence costs in the UK can exceed
£1,000 per employee per year, with North
West workers topping the regional absence
league. In the NHS, in particular,
musculoskeletal disorders and back pain have
been the main causes for both short and long
term sickness absence: accounting for 40%
of ill health retirement costs with moderate
46 | August/September
mental health issues running a close second,
though some would suggest that they are
now overtaking back pain. In reality, however,
physical and mental health issues are often
closely linked and it is frequently difficult to
distinguish between ‘chicken’ and ‘egg’.
Since March 2010 the Salford University team
have been collaborating with Ross Whiteside
and Victoria Dickens from Salford Community
Health to design, implement and evaluate a
Physiotherapy-led vocational rehabilitation
service for NHS staff presenting with aches
or pains and/or associated mental health
problems such as stress, anxiety or depression.
The aim was not to simply provide rapid
restorative treatment for individual staff but
also to provide proactive support in preventing
people going off sick in the first place,
changing attitudes and beliefs of both staff
and line managers in relation to healthy
working practices and focussing on what the
individual can do when injured or ill, rather
than what they cannot do.
significant improvements in sickness absence
levels, staff psychological well-being; work
satisfaction; and identified functional
limitations: all maintained at 3-months
post discharge. Interviews with employees,
focus groups and line managers
demonstrated high levels of satisfaction,
with a perception that Working Well had
been instrumental in helping staff to
return-to-work/stay-at-work. Line managers
also identified that they felt more confident
in managing sickness absence and that the
service had helped them develop more
positive relationships with staff in this regard.
Christine continued: “The time scales and
funding for the Working Well project limited
the scope of the evaluation to some extent
and there is an intention from the Primary
Care Trust to extend the funding for another
12 months so that more follow up and
sickness absence data can be collected”.
Name: Christine Parker
The project was funded in its first year through
a SHINE award for innovation from The Health
Foundation and by April 2011 results indicated
Email: [email protected]
RISE
New appointments
Tony Whyton
Tony has played a
significant leadership role in research, with a strong track record of
innovation and sustained contribution to the field of jazz studies
worldwide. He edited the first international peer-reviewed journal for
jazz, created and managed the Centre for Jazz Studies UK and has
been responsible for the creation and development of a number of
international jazz studies conferences, both in the UK and abroad. Tony
has provided a leadership role in a number of interdisciplinary research
projects, including his work as Project Leader for the €1m trans-national
Rhythm Changes research project - the largest ever research award for
jazz studies in Europe, evaluated as ‘world-leading’ by the HERA Joint
Research Programme board.
Peter Buse
Peter’s research has made significant contributions in the areas of
critical and cultural theory, British drama, and popular visual culture.
His first book, the co-edited collection Ghosts: Deconstruction,
Psychoanalysis, History, was chosen by Marina Warner as a book of the
year in the Times Literary Supplement. Most recently, Peter has been
undertaking a major work of cultural and media history: a
comprehensive study of the history, uses and meanings of Polaroid
photography, taking in the recent disappearance of the technology
and demise of the company. This project has yielded articles in major
refereed journals, has been supported by grants by the British Academy,
the AHRC and the Leverhulme Trust, and is due to be published in
book form by Chicago University Press in 2013. Peter also directs the
Periodicals Research Cluster in HuLSS and sits on the editorial collective
of new formations.
Gai Murphy
Gai is recognised as an expert in urban vector management and has
featured in the Salford RAE submissions in 1996, 2001 and 2008
and sustained a record of attracting funding for vector management
research. Gai was author of a national policy document for the Health
and Safety Executive on urban rodent control and the safe use of
rodenticides by professional users. In 2009 Gai received industry
award recognition for ‘contribution to the European Pest Management
Industry’. There is concern that exotic mosquitoes could become
established in the UK and Gai is currently working with UK Port Health
Authorities and the Health Protection Agency to trial a range of
sampling methods to survey for mosquitoes at UK Ports and to
develop a national monitoring and surveillance system.
Karl Dayson
During his time at Salford, Karl has helped establish 11 community
owned finance organisations that today has loaned over £20 million
to 28,000 people whose only alternative would have been high cost
sub-prime lenders. Additionally, it has been Karl’s research on
Community Land Trusts that has resulted in the building of 150
affordable community-owned homes mainly in rural England. He has
been consulted by ministers and civil servants in the Department of
Work and Pensions, the Department of Business, Innovation and
Skills, the Department of Communities and Local Government,
H.M. Treasury and the Financial Services Authority.
Carl Abbott
Carl brings a multi-disciplinary approach and outlook to his work
thanks to his industrial experience, training as an engineer and
qualified teacher status. This background provides the foundations
of his academic career, throughout which he has been driven by a
commitment to integrated scholarship, delivering outputs with
academic rigor and industrial relevance. His career journey at Salford
provides evidence of sustained leadership in a boundary-spanning role,
making significant contributions to both research and practice through
activities in the Centre for Construction Innovation (CCI), the North
West Construction Knowledge Exchange (NW CKE) and the EPSRC
funded Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre the Salford Centre
for Research and Innovation (SCRI).
August/September | 47
RISE
New appointments
Nigel Mellors
In his present role as Associate Dean of Enterprise and Engagement,
Nigel has developed, implemented and delivered the major part of
the University’s strategy in ‘knowledge exchange’. To achieve this he
has established and led a team of 25 people with a portfolio of
different skills and together they have delivered a number of exciting
and innovative projects that have contributed both to the external
status of the University and supported its strategy for growth. Nigel has
also maintained a successful research programme that has produced
academic publications and patent applications. He has generated over
£3m of research and EU contracts over the last five years. He was also
a key instigator in the development of the Energy Theme at Salford
and now leads the commercialisation team developing and
implementing the Energy Hub at Salford.
Laurence Kenney
Since 1998, Laurence has worked in the area of rehabilitation
engineering. His research focuses on the design and evaluation of
rehabilitation devices, notably prostheses and functional electrical
stimulation devices, together with wearable sensor systems for their
control and evaluation. In this period, Laurence has been Investigator or
Co-Investigator on externally funded projects worth over £2.3 million.
He has published 25 papers in leading peer-reviewed journals and over
75 conference papers. Laurence was one of the founders of the
Centre for Health, Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences in the early 2000s
and now leads the research programme in functional electrical
stimulation and other rehabilitation technologies within the Centre.
Paul Rowlett
Paul has been appointed to a Chair in French Language and Linguistics.
A graduate of Bradford and York, Paul has taught in the UK, France
and Belgium, and has been at Salford since 1990. He has published
research on negation, functional verbs, and the specifier
headrelation, with funding from the British Academy, the Arts
and Humanities Research Council and the Leverhulme Trust.
He is currently investigating diglossia in metropolitan France. He is
editor of the Transactions of the Philological Society and member of the
linguistics group on the EU-funded sectoral qualifications framework,
was chair of the HEA Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and
Area Studies group for linguistics, and founding chair of the University
Council for General and Applied Linguistics.
Miklas Scholz
Miklas, Chair in Civil Engineering, is the Director of the Civil
Engineering Research Centre. His research interests are in wetland
systems with a particular passion for solving water quality problems
associated with sustainable drainage systems and integrated
constructed wetlands. Miklas currently supervises six PhD students
and four post-doctoral research fellows. He has successfully supervised
seven PhD students and four post-doctoral research assistants. Miklas
has published two books (Elsevier and Springer), more than 115 high
impact journal papers, and more than 100 peer-reviewed conference
papers. He is a member of the Institute of Environmental Management
and Assessment Council.
48 | August/September
Gaynor Johnson
Gaynor has published twelve books on international history: two
single-authored monographs and ten edited volumes. She has also
published a significant number of articles in a range of important
peer-refereed journals in her field, as well as a range of book chapters.
The majority of these books demonstrate not only the diversity of
Gaynor’s research interests within the twentieth century, but have led
her to work with a very broad range of scholars from around the world.
Gaynor has established an international reputation as an historian of
the interwar period. In 2006, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal
Historical Society and the following year was elected to the executive
committee of the British International Studies Association. Gaynor has
recently been appointed Associate Head of School International in the
new School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences and is also
the Secretary of the Transatlantic Studies Association.
Samia Nefti-Meziani
Samia is a leading expert internationally in Computational Intelligence
and Cognitive Robotics. She has been pursuing advanced theoretical
research in the area of intelligent computing (including data and
knowledge mining, swarm intelligence, evolutionary computing) and
its application to wider practical problems such robotics and smart
technologies. Samia is a prolific author of high quality research
publications, she has published and edited extensively in the above
areas, which have appeared in leading journals and books. Samia has
secured several grants from EPSRC, FP5, FP6 and Industry. She has
been appointed as Vice president of the IEEE R&A UK and R&I Chapter,
which is the World’s most prestigious organisation in the area, and she
is associate Editor of ICRA and IROS. She has given invited research
seminars at an international level including the Global lecture in
‘Shangh’AI lectures’. She has also organised many international and
national high profile events.
RISE
Postgraduate news
Post graduate research is important to the
University and as an institution we are
keen to encourage the many ways that
our research students can engage and
share their work and research findings
with a wider community, regionally,
nationally and internationally. Behind
good post-graduate research is a good
research team. Meet some of the team
behind the post graduate scenes in the
Research & Innovation Division.
Cristina Costa (Research and Learning Technologies
Manager) is based in the Research and Innovation
Division at the University. She works closely with
researchers and PhD students championing
technology innovation across the University,
facilitating research collaborations through the
implementation of state-of-the-art software tools
and training on Social media. She also advises
researchers on the coordination, promotion and dissemination of
research. Cristina is also responsible for the further roll-out of the
Virtual Doctoral School project, a networked environment available
for Salford Researchers and partners www.virtual-doc.salford.ac.uk.
Dr Victoria Sheppard and
Dr Sonja Tomaskovic work as
part of the Graduate Studies team
(GS), based in the Research and
Innovation Division. GS offer
support and development
opportunities to the postgraduate
research community across the
university. As well as a comprehensive research skills training
programme, they facilitate a range of events throughout the year
which enable Salford’s postgraduates to communicate their research
across disciplines and to engage with the wider research community
beyond the University.
Name: Cristina Costa
Victoria and Sonja, who currently share the role of Research Skills
Coordinator, are the first point of contact for all Post Graduate training
opportunities. They run the Salford Postgraduate Research Training
programme (aka SPoRT). The SPoRT Programme, in line with the
new Researcher Development Framework (a national tool endorsed by
Research Councils UK), offers training on the skills essential for any
research career – from research techniques and personal effectiveness,
through to research governance, engagement and impact.
The full details of the programme are available online at
www.pg.salford.ac.uk/page/sport
As well in-house training Victoria and Sonja can also advise on regional
and national development opportunities and regularly work with other
universities in the North West, and with Vitae to deliver shared events,
along with providing support for early career researchers and contract
research staff.
Each summer the Graduate Studies team run an interdisciplinary
conference, SPARC (Salford Postgraduate Annual Research Conference),
a two day event which attracts researchers from a wealth of UK
institutions. Victoria and Sonja also work closely with Cristina Costa
to offer a suite of online resources geared towards postgraduate
researchers. Finally, the Graduate Studies team can also help
postgraduates by offering small funds to help with disseminating
research in innovative and creative ways. The DGS discretionary fund
can be applied for by current students for the purposes of engaging
new audiences. More details are available at:
www.pg.salford.ac.uk/page/funding
Name: Dr Victoria Sheppard/Dr Sonja Tomaskovic
Along with Dr Victoria Sheppard she co-writes a blog on Research
skills and Digital Scholarship http://virtual-doc.salford.ac.uk/pgrs/,
and shares a twitter presence at @SalfordPGRs
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0161 295 6751
Fiona Christie (Senior Careers
Consultant) and Tahira Majothi
(careers consultant) are based in
Student Life at the University and
work very closely with the Postgraduate studies team to support
our research community. They
run career development training
and offer one-to-one careers guidance for current students and alumni.
They maintain a specialist careers blog to keep postgraduates up-todate with careers news. An annual postgraduate conference PG Futures
has also been established as part of our calendar. Fiona and Tahira act
as go-betweens for information on many other issues of interest to
researchers, e.g. visas for international students, enterprise activity,
external support for researchers via Vitae. You can access their blog
which includes films of previous careers events at http://pgblog.
careers.salford.ac.uk/. You may also like to sign up to their group
on Linked in “Salford PhDs Past and Present” which is also open to
“friends” of Salford. You can also connect with them via
@SalfordPGRs on Twitter.
Name: Fiona Christie/Tahira Majothi
Email: [email protected]/ [email protected]
Tel: 0161 295 5668/ 0161 295 3161
Linda Kelly is the Graduate Studies office
administrator, and responsible for running the office
as the the PA to Director, as well as organising the
SPoRT programme.
Name: Linda Kelly
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0161 295 3841
Email: [email protected]/[email protected]
Tel: 0161 295 4452/0161 295 3747
August/September | 49
RISE
Postgraduate news
Nurses’ experience of
caring for men with sexual
dysfunction in Jordan
Even in today’s modern society there are some things
that we find difficult to discuss and difficult to treat,
one such thing is the provision of healthcare and
nursing around sexual dysfunction in men.
I
n Western society sexual dysfunction is dealt with
and discussed more than in others but it is still a
‘difficult’ or ‘embarrassing’ area for many patients to
talk about. Muwafaq Al-Momani, from Jordan, who
has recently completed his PhD here at the University in the
School of Nursing and Midwifery, supervised by Dr Paula
Ormandy and Karen Holland has based his postgraduate
research on just this area of nursing. Muwafaq has
addressed the problem of the male dominated patriarchal
society, in his home country, failing men with sexual
dysfunction, preventing them from coming forward to
disclose a problem and seeking appropriate nursing care.
Muwafaq who has a clinical nursing background across
different nursing specialities, as well as supervising staff
and managing the day-to-day staff shortages across same
sex wards, said: “I came to the UK with this idea and, with
excellent guidance, developed and executed a complex
research study that has generated a new evidence base
regarding Jordanian nurses’ experience, knowledge and
health care provision for men with sexual dysfunction.
The study aimed to examine Jordanian nurses’ experience,
education and the impact of culture on their ability to care
for men with sexual dysfunction. A mixed methods
approach combined a quantitative translated survey and
in-depth qualitative interviews to explore embedded
multiple units of analysis, within a Type Two Single Case
study, across three hospitals representing different health
sectors within Jordan”.
The majority of nurses in Muwafaq’s study, 65%, agreed
that initiating a discussion on sexual issues with men was
important, although only 18.8% considered it to be a
priority and only 16% of the nurses reported actually
making time to discuss sexual concerns. Only 30% of
nurses from across the three study sites felt equipped with
the skills, confidence and knowledge to appropriately care
for patients. Of the nurses interviewed 59% of them
believed that discussing sexual issues with male patients
was taboo in Jordan; 93% agreed that it was more
appropriate for male nurses to discuss sexual health issues
with male patients within this culture. Indeed the majority
of nurses (90%) perceived that men in Jordan found
it difficult to talk to female nurses about sexual
health problems.
50 | August/September
Right: Main medical centre in Jordan
Muwafaq continued: “The findings were influenced not by
the religious beliefs of nurses but the interpretation of those
beliefs through society and historical cultural norms. Men
in Jordanian society prohibit women talking about sexual
issues directly with men and this influenced how nurses and
their managers interpret these rules within nursing practice.
Being considered a man in Jordanian society related directly
to being a father and having a family, however the needs of
those men suffering with sexual dysfunction were hidden
and not being met.
Being considered a man in
Jordanian society related
directly to being a father and
having a family
Such rules influenced nurse education with male and
female nurses reporting being educated separately within
their basic nursing curricula on such issues. It is clear from
the research that little is known in Jordan on how men
with sexual dysfunction find support and help, and that if
societal norms are to be translated into nursing practice
then more male nurses need to be available to care for
these men, in Jordan. The Jordanian Nursing Code of
Practice needs to reflect such restrictions imposed by
society, alongside providing nurses with the tools to
undertake sexual health assessments and organisational
support to provide quality care”.
Muwafaq is now returning to Jordan to start a new post as
a Lecturer within the University of Jordan and he hopes to
directly influence nurse education and practice, in addition
to championing the issue of men’s health within Jordanian
society and health policy.
Name: Muwafaq Almomani
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 51
RISE
Postgraduate news
The real A&E –
Planning for emergency
TV programmes such as ‘Casualty’ and ‘Holby City’ show the
fictional side of a hospital situation. ‘Real A&E’ is a documentary
which highlights the reality of working in life and death
situations, with strategies in place to be prepared for any
major incident that may occur.
Left: Good planning for emergency services
is essential
B
ut where does the background
work come from in preparing the
front line staff for emergency
situations, such as a bomb
explosion or an event such as the recent
incident in Norway? Who plans and prepares
the front lines for an emergency and how
do they do it? These are questions that Jane
Mooney, part time PhD Student and part-time
Research Physician at Salford Royal Hospital
NHS Trust, may well be able to answer.
A robust product that
delivers a superior touch
interactive table-top
exercise experience
Jane, supervised by Lee Griffiths and Dr
Marianne Patera, School of Computing,
Science and Engineering (CSE) here at the
University and supported by Professor Nigel
Mellors also from CSE, is researching into
the use of learning technologies in
upgrading emergency medical planning
training. Jane said:” Traditionally courses
teaching emergency service personnel
major incident preparedness utilise table-top
52 | August/September
exercises (‘serious games’) with paper mats
and plastic counters. Whilst this provides a
reliable, portable approach there are some
disadvantages to the current set up. The
positioning of multiple counters can clutter
the maps; the data generated by the course
participants is not recorded; the background
and patients’ vital signs remain static and all
too easily the map or counters can be subject
to inadvertent disruption part-way through an
exercise! With my medical background and
developing computing skills I am producing
an electronic platform to enhance table-top
scenario delivery”.
By incorporating human computer interaction
and usability principles coupled with expert
emergency medical planning knowledge
and an appreciation of learning theory into
the construction of the software, Jane aims
to produce a robust product that delivers a
superior touch interactive table-top exercise
experience compared to the existing
paper-based alternative. Jane continued:
“Whether the electronic version is the
equivalent or otherwise of the paper version
will be determined via a randomised
controlled trial. This will take place on the
main national medical emergency planning
training course, Major Incident Medical
Management and Support (MIMMS). A pilot
study of preliminary software was
conducted earlier this year on a MIMMS
course held at Manchester United Football
Club for crowd medical teams from assorted
football clubs”.
Jane has been presenting her research
nationally and internationally at conferences
in Europe and Singapore and is due to present
in Vienna at the AMEE Conference and
Gateshead at the CEM Conference. She has
also given a local school, Woodhey High
School in Bury, a taste of the first stage of
development. The High School children
commented and made a BBC School
Report entitled ‘Can a Computer Game
Save Lives?’ Jane’s research is currently
growing from strength to strength proving
that actions in the virtual world can save lives
in the here and now!
Name: Jane Mooney
Email: [email protected]
Web: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8558244.stm
Robotic
applications the future
In the last few issues of RISE
we’ve been following Antonio
Espingardeiro, a PhD Student
here at the University, on his
journey into robotics research.
I
n a recent interview to techEYE Antonio
revealed some robotics applications
which he feels will be emerging in the
next decades. Antonio feels the future
of artificial machines will gain a new
dimension into our lives. Robots are likely to
provide extra help in the common households
of the future by providing supervision,
cognitive assistance, entertainment and
companionship.
Other areas deal with the introduction of
robotics and automation technologies into
transport systems. Antonio said: “The car of
the future will be able to read traffic signals
and road hazards, such systems will make our
journeys much safer. In another landscape,
the environment seems to be one of the
biggest topics of concern for the worldwide
governments. Robots are likely to redefine
the concept of recycling by making it much
more engaging through new interfaces and
picking it up at our doorsteps”. Antonio also
reminds us that with a worldwide population
of 10 billion people by 2050 we have to start
rethinking our own strategies for producing
much higher quantities of food with quality.
“The use of agricultural robots seems a
tempting technological solution as robots can
scan large harvesting areas and for example
decide what percentages of water or fertilizers
to use in specific conditions. In any of these
examples more autonomy will also mean
that such machines can work for longer
periods of time whilst we dedicate ourselves
to other types of activities. In terms of
research Antonio is currently conducting
experiments with social assistive robots in
nursing homes in Portugal and the UK.
Ultrasound image research
Ahmad S. A. Mohamed is a full time PhD student in the School of
Computing, Science & Engineering.
O
riginally from Malaysia, Ahmad is
at the University researching into
developing a solution to improve
the currently available motion
estimation algorithm for tracking the
ultrasound images of the knee’s tendon
tissue being contracted at maximum effort.
Ahmad said: “The images were captured
using the B-mode ultrasound 2-D images,
which is highly speckled and constantly
changing from frame to frame. The
ultrasound device used consists of a probe
transducer that transmits pulses of wave
signals penetrating the tissue structure; the
waves are reflected back to the probe
transducer to generate a digitised form of
the image. The level of density of the image
depends on the depth of the wave signals and
the time taken for the reflected wave signals
to reach the probe transducer. The major
disadvantage of ultrasound image is that
the image presented is in speckle formation
and the way that the probe is positioned on
the skin does contribute to the changes in
the resulted image. Past studies from other
researchers focused on tracking the regional
areas of the muscle tissue with various results.
The study that I am conducting looks into the
various motion estimation algorithms used on
speckled images in vivo at the fibrous area of
the tendon. So far we have found that Normalised Cross-Correlation (NCC) was the optimal solution. However, the algorithm alone
is not able to accurately estimate the motion
of a single muscle fibre because the speckle
signal itself is dynamic from frame-to-frame.
Therefore, the aim of the study is to devise a
Above: Robots are likely to provide extra help
in house holds in the future
In a few months the young entrepreneur will
be back to the UK for continuing experiments
in the Housing21 extra care facilities in
Birmingham. Antonio’s company Help
Robotics Ltd. is developing a new robotic
prototype entitled ‘P37 the elderly care bot’.
Housing21 has already demonstrated a big
interest in the prototype and Antonio
mentions in the techEYE interview that the
device will be ready for the first trials by the
middle of 2012.
Name: Antonio Espingedeiro
Email: [email protected]
solution to improve the tracking algorithm.
The estimation of the next possible location in
the next frame is determined by averaging the
pattern of multiple points of regional areas
placing on different layers of the tendon tissue
to guide the search window as to where the
tracking algorithm should look to perform the
similarity measurement in the next frame.
The search window then uses the Block
Matching Algorithm (BMA) to determine best
similarity. This method is then used during
dynamic excursions of the patellar tendon
across subjects of various age and gender to
identify the accuracy, and effectiveness of the
solution to improve the tracking algorithm
to produce clinical results that are useful to
the practitioner. The real impact of this study
allows an insight into the aetiology of the
tendon injury, repair and response to various
training interventions”.
Name: Ahmad Mohamed
Email: a [email protected]
August/September | 53
RISE
Postgraduate news
Artificial intelligence
in architecture
Creating the right environment is essential to our wellbeing,
if you’re too hot or too cold or uncomfortable you won’t be happy
if you’re not happy you won’t, rest, work, learn or participate.
I
f you design a building and you don’t get it right the first time
round its done, it’s built, it’s there, changes are expensive and
time consuming. So how do you get it right first time round?
How can you plan now for the perfect environment in the
future? Mohamad Nadim Adi, PhD student in the Centre for Virtual
Environments and Future Media here at the University is looking into
just this question. Creating an adaptable architectural environment
today that works for the future.
Mohamad said: “With the advancement in building materials and
computer science, especially artificial intelligence models, buildings
that can interact with their visitors are emerging and becoming more
popular. The way we view architecture is about to change greatly,
rather than being an empty shell were events take place, our buildings
in the future will be an almost active member of the society,
useful, changeable and atmospheric. The quest for a ‘smart’ building,
a building that can act like a living creature and become an active social
member in its environment, is where my research question began.
If a building was able to simulate intelligence and interact with its
inhabitants, what effect would that have on its users’ comfort
and productivity?”
The concept of reactive or interactive architecture has been around
for some time, but what constitutes as reactive architecture,
is ever-changing. Moving buildings that can change colour, shape or
any of their properties in real-time and in accordance with their users
or environment are what Mohamad defines as Interactive Architecture.
He continues: “While Interactive Architecture is popular and is striking
visually, it is still treated as a novelty item. The main aim of my research
was to try and establish if an interactive environment can enhance the
performance levels and comfort of its users through the use of virtual
reality. In architecture the traditional way to evaluate a building usually
depends on the experience an architect gains throughout their careers.
As such you cannot know if a building will be successful or not until it
is built.
In this research we used the immersive virtual reality labs in the
University of Salford to set a bench mark in evaluating architecture and
test our theories. Participants were able to step into a life sized virtual
version of the buildings we were testing and have experiences in them
that were as close to reality as possible. The use of virtual reality meant
54 | August/September
Above: Mohamad’s design for an interactive installation at the
University’s headquarters in MediaCityUK
that we had absolute control on how a building behaved and
interacted with its visitors. This meant that we could adjust, redesign
and change our buildings as necessary in a quick, inexpensive and
efficient way. Another aspect we were very keen on testing was
whether people felt more comfortable in an interactive building.
Through using a series of questionnaires and interviews we concluded
that the majority of test subjects not only felt more comfortable but
actually preferred working and staying in the interactive building”.
Mohamad is thinking long term as well, not just testing his theories in
the here and now but using SecondLife and focus groups to test the
long term appeal of an interactive building, and taking his research to
a wider audience via publication, not just in the UK but in the USA,
Canada and Singapore. Mohamad said: “All our tests suggest that
interactive or life like buildings are more attractive and more useful to
be in, which indicates that they are a viable choice for the future and
not a fashion trend or novelty item in the world of architecture”.
Name: Mohamed Nadeemadi
Email: [email protected]
Time to design with children
The University over various projects with the general public and users of the health services.
R
esearch into the best way for
practice, for treatments or
designing of hospital services, is
mostly with adults for adults and
by adults. Elham Sfandyarifard, a PhD student
in the School of the Built Environment here at
the University, under the supervision of Dr
Patricia Tzortzopoulos and Dr Monty Sutrisna,
is taking her research to a different level, that
of the child as a patient, Elham is examining
the process of participatory design with
children in providing children’s hospital care.
By understanding children’s and young
people’s perspectives and needs as the users
of healthcare facilities, designers, policymakers
and healthcare managers can deliver a more
supportive environment. Instead of adults
providing the service on an assumption of the
needs of the younger service user, a
consultation process will increase the
likelihood of designing supportive hospital
environments for the younger service user.
Participatory design approaches are suggested
as the means to enable better identification of
needs, supporting value generation. However,
there are challenges in implementing
participatory approaches in building design,
especially in complex environments such as
hospitals, and with delicate clients such as
children. Elham said: “My project tends to
investigate the user involvement as a
development process incorporating ideas
and feedback acquired directly from end
users (in this case children and young people)
at various stages of the process”. Elham continued: “My current research aims to develop
Science visits, the
teenager and impact
A Phd study
PhD Student, Natasha Simons is currently in her
final year of an Arts and Humanities Research
Council Funded Collaborative project, examining a
Science Discovery Centre’s special programmes for
Teenage Visitors and assessing the impact on
their learning.
N
atasha, a former
Salford Masters
student who graduated with a distinction
in Heritage Studies, is examining
the attitudes of teenage visitors
to Science Centres and to specific
outreach programmes in order to
assess how such informal activities affect and/or influence learning. The collaborative partners in
this project are the School of Art
& Design at the University,
(supervised by Debra Leighton,
Assistant Head, Teaching for Art
& Design) and Techniquest Science Discovery Centre in Cardiff.
Natasha said: “Techniquest,
like other Science Centres and
Museums, is a unique provider of
accessible science that is open to
all, yet teenagers are infrequent
visitors to Science Centres and
there is currently little research
to understand why this might
be the case. This is an age group
that has traditionally been seen
as hard to reach. This research
project will discover teenage
attitudes, assumptions and
knowledge, and evaluate
learning that takes place during
an outreach workshop”.
So far Natasha’s research has
involved undertaking an attitude
survey of 600 teenagers, followed
by three focus groups across five
schools in the South Wales Area.
With the first and second phase
generic guidelines to help designers
incorporate children’s perspectives in
designing children’s hospitals. Focus is on
providing not only a friendly environment but
one that will promote recovery. As part of my
research I conducted a series of interviews
mostly with designers, planners and NHS staff
who were involved during the design process
of a children’s hospital, giving me an insight
into how the patient perceptions were
gathered and used in the project”.
Elham’s research is certainly gaining
recognition, with her work winning best
student poster recently at the College of
Science & Technology’s Research Showcase!
Name: Elham Sfandyarifard
Email: [email protected]
complete the impact study is
ongoing and looks closely at what
teenage pupils ‘start off with’
and compares this directly with
what they ‘finish with’ by way of
pre and post interviews (supplemented by observations). In
this way a picture of what these
workshops actually do for the
teenage participant is emerging.
Natasha continued: “Preliminary
results show improvements in key
skills (especially solving problems,
following instructions, arguing
a point, asking questions and
working as a team). The other
significant finding, so far, is the
increase in verbal fluency of the
pupils when asked more descriptive questions about the topic
to be covered in the workshop.
hands-on
activities can also
be ‘minds-on’
Every pupil interviewed showed
an increased ability to talk
about and reflect on the topic
covered in the workshop when
interviewed even two months
after the workshop. Pupils did
not demonstrate any significant
improvement on fact-type questions and very little improvements
on ‘speaking out loud to the
class’ (this was especially apparent
when interviewing pupil’s aged
between 15 and 16)”.
Natasha’s findings so far are
significant to the Science and
Heritage sector as they demonstrate not only an effective way of
evaluating impact regardless of a
pupils educational ability and/or
social background ,but also shows
that hands-on activities can also
be ‘minds-on’, if well designed.
The collective results from the
three phases will also be used to
theorise teenage non-visitation to
Science centres. Natasha’s theories and findings have interested
audiences across the Atlantic
recently as she presented her
findings in Chicago to the
Visitor Studies Association and
the Mid-West Museums
Association annual conference.
Name: Natasha Simons
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 55
RISE
Postgraduate awards
School
Surname
Forename
Award
Title
Salford Business School
A Samah
Azurah
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Abrahms
Kerry
PhD
A Transmission Electron Microscopy Study of the
Effects of Helium Irradiation on Polycrystalline and
Monocrystalline Silicon
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Abuhesa
Musa
PhD
Investigation into Gas Flaring Reduction in the
Oil and Gas Industry
School of the Built Environment
Abukhzam Faraj
Mohamed
PhD
The Development of a Framework to aid the
identification of factors inhibiting bank staff’s
attitude towards E-Banking adoption in Libya
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Abulgasem
El-Mabruk
PhD
A Haptic Surgical Simulator for Cataract Eye
Surgery using Circular Wave Model
School of the Built Environment
Al Mansuri
Aisha
PhD
Climatic Design as a Tool to Create Comfortable
Energy-Efficient and an Environmentally Wise Built
Environmentin Hot Climate Regions (Tripoli-Libya)
School of English, Sociology, Politics
& Contemporary History
Al Braithen
Majed
PhD
Understanding the Perception of Success in the
Development of an ERP System: An Interpretive
Case Study in a Saudi Arabian Private
Organisation
Salford Business School
Al-Hosni
Mohammed
PhD
Ministry of Education of Oman: Examinations
Marks andtheir Relationships with Educational
Indicators
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Al-Momani
Muwafaq
PhD
Nurses’ Experience of Caring for Men with Sexual
Dysfunction in Jordan
School of Languages
Alharthi
Nasser
PhD
The Discourse Structure of English and Arabic,
with particular reference to Syntactic, Thematic
and Grounding Structures of Newspaper Editorials
School of the Built Environment
Almanhali
Mohamed
PhD
Design, Analysis and Deployment if HR Best
Practices Modelin Abu Dhabi HR General
Directorate
School of Environment & Life Sciences
Almoustafa
Turkia
PhD
Optical Remote Sensing for estimating fuel
moisture contentin upland vegetation
School of Languages
Alomary
Shaban
PhD
Conative Utterances: A Qur’anic Perspective
School of Languages
Alowimer
Saleh
PhD
An Empirical Study of Dictionary Use by Saudi EFL
Learners at University Level with Reference
to Major and Gender
School of the Built Environment
Alsehaimi
Abdullah
PhD
Improving Construction Planning Practice in Saudi
Arabia by Means of Lean Construction Principles
and Techniques
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Alzahrani
Jumaan
PhD
Perceived Barriers to Research Publishing in Saudi
Arabia and the Potential for Electronic Publishing
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Asmuin
Norzelawa
PhD
Investigation into Novel Matched Value-Actuator
Atomiser (Insert) Design for Compressed Aerosols
School of Environment & Life Sciences
Balounova
Lenka
MSR
Estimation of Changes in the Volume of Ice
Making Up Gornergletscher since the Little Ice
Age Maximum
56 | August/September
School
Surname
Forename
Award
Title
Salford Business School
Bazin
Nor Erne
PhD
An Analysis of the Performance of Push, Pull and
Hybrid Production Systems in Manufacturing
Supply Chains
School of the Built Environment
Belhassan
Taher
PhD
A Framework for Global Positioning System (GPS)
Surveying Technology Adoption in the Libyan
Public Surveying Sector
Salford Business School
Ben Jaber
Abdelrazal
PhD
Investigating the Factors Affecting the Readiness
for TQM Implementation within Libyan Higher
Education Institutions
Salford Business School
Bennett
Ian
PhD
A Critical Evaluation of Service Failure and
recovery in UK Hotels from the Consumer
Perspective
School of Languages
Campisi
Salvatore
PhD
Hermann Hesse and the Dialectics of Time
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Choucri
Lesley
PhD
Education and Practice Development Midwives:
Adapting and Evolving an Action Research Study
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Chukudi
Uchechuku
MST
Design of a Multi Agent System for the
Monitoring of the Well being of dementia
payment using ambient assistedliving
School of Environment & Life Sciences
Coe
Nicholas
PhD
Studies on the Effect of Asparaginase in
Paediatric Leukaemia
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Cushing
Ian
MPHIL
Vocal Effort Levels and Underlying Acoustic
Phonetic Characteristics
Computing Science & Engineering
Dadiotis
Konstantin
PhD
Improving Phase Grating and Absorption
Grating Diffusers
School of Music Media & Performance
Effah
John
PhD
Tracing the Emergence and Formation of Small
Dot-Coms inan Emerging Digital Economy: An
Actor-Network Approach
School of the Built Environment
El-Saboni
Mahmoud
PhD
Interaction between Electronic
Communication and Perceived Success in
UAE Construction Projects
School of the Built Environment
Elgari
Omran
PhD
The Role of Technology Transfer in Improving
Manpower Capability in Private House Building
Companies in Libya
School of Environment & Life Sciences
Entwistle
Neil
PhD
Geomorphological Effectiveness and
Maintenanceof a Riffle-Pool Sequence
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Eskaf
Khaled
PhD
Blood Glucose Level Prediction for Diabetic
Patientsusing Intelligent Techniques
School of Health, Sport &
Rehabilitation Sciences
Esmail
Zahara
PhD
A Pilot Study to assess the value of Magnetic
Resonance Imaging in Diabetic Patients
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Evans
Tomos
PhD
Estimation of Uncertainty in the Structure Borne
SoundPower Transmission from a Source to a
Receiver
School of the Built Environment
Fernando
Nirodha Gayani
PhD
The Impact of Training and Development
towards Women’s Career Advancement in the UK
Construction Industry
August/September | 57
RISE
Postgraduate awards
School
Surname
Forename
Award
Title
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Finigan
Valerie
DPROF
The experiences of women from three diverse
population groups of immediate skin-to-skin
contact with their new born baby following birth
School of Music, Media & Performance
Gates
Dorothy
PhD
Portfolio of Compositions
School of Environment & Life Sciences
Gledhill
David
PhD
Ponds, People and the Built Environment:
A Socio-Ecological Perspective
Salford Business School
Green
Russell
PhD
The Indentification and the Effective Enforcement
and Control of the Risks of Foodborne Illness in
the MicroOwner/Managed Business Sector
School of English, Sociology, Politics
& Contemporary History
Grundy
Michelle
PhD
Constrained, Compromised and Disconnected:
Experiences of Women in Contact with the
Magistrates’ Court following Violence and
Intimidation from Male Partners
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Hinojosa
William
PhD
Proabilistic Fuzzy Logic Framework in
Cognitive Reinforcement Learning for
Decision Making
School of the Built Environment
Liasan
Kolawole
PhD
Contextualising the Participatory Role of BME’sin
Community Regeneration: A Requirements
and Challenge Approach
School of Music, Media & Performance
Ip
Kim Kuok
PhD
Portfolio of Compositions - Five Compositions
for SoloInstruments with Accompaniment
School of Environment & Life Sciences
Kalaiselvan
Ramva
MPHIL
Aetiology, Management and Prognosis of
Jaundice in AdultPatients with Acute Severe
Intestinal Failure
School of Health, Sport &
Rehabilitation Sciences
Li
Shijuan
PhD
A 3-Dimensional Assessment and Feedback
System forAnkylosing Spondylitis
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Livesley
Joan
PhD
Children’s Experiences as Hospital In-Patients:
Voice, Competence and Work
School of Languages
Lounis
Hassane
PhD
Discourse Connectives in Translation: A Relevance
Theoretic Account with Specific Reference to the
Translation from andinto Arabic
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Lowe
Sharon
MST
School of English, Sociology, Politics
& Contemporary History
Luis
Chiara
PhD
Feminist and Lesbian Strategies of Reading
and the Novels of Sarah Waters and Jeanette
Winterson
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Major
Denise
MPHIL
Student Nurses in Transition: Generating an
Evidence Basefor Final Placement Learning
Facilitation Best Practice
Salford Business School
Mansor
Rabyah
PhD
Modelling the Progression and Retention of
Students in Secondary School Education
inSarawak: A Case Study using System Dynamics
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Martin
Amanda
DPROF
Using Mixed Model Research to Evaluate
the Outcomesof a Lean Approach to the
Transformation of an Orthopaedic
Radiology Service
58 | August/September
School
Surname
Forename
Award
Title
School of Health, Sport
& Rehabilitation Sciences
Massarweh
Reem
MSR
The Effects of a Self-Aligning Prosthetic Foot
onTrans-Femoral Amputee Gait
Salford Business School
McGirr
Seamus
MPHIL
Utilisation Management. A Study of an Initiativeto
Provide Community Based Alternatives to Hospital
Admission
School of the Built Environment
Michell
Kathleen
PhD
A Grounded Theory Approach to CommunityBased Facilities Management: The Context of
Cape Town, South Africa
School of the Built Environment
Mihindu
Sas
PhD
Holistic Model for Knowledge Collaboration in
Scientific Communities of Practice
School of the Built Environment
Mohamad Kamar Kamanul
PhD
School of the Built Environment
Salford Business School
Mohammed
Dauda
PhD
Capital Structure and Business Risk in Nigeria:
Evidence from a Panel Data Analysis
School of the Built Environment
Mohd Tobi
Siti Uzairia
PhD
Social Enterprise Applications in an Urban
Facilities Management Setting: A Service Delivery
Model
School of Languages
Obeidat
Mohammed
PhD
Translating Conjunctions in Political Journalistic
Argumentative Texts from English into Arabic
School of Music, Media & Performance Otter
Franner
PhD
Composition Portfolio
School of the Built Environment
Palliyaguru
Roshani
PhD
Influence of Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction
within Post Disaster Infrastructure Reconstruction
on Socio-Economic Development
School of Art & Design
Partington
Robert
PhD
An Evaluation of the Impact of Just in Time (JIT)
Strategies on Cut, Make and Trim (CMT)
Customersand Suppliers within the Apparel
Supply Chain
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Piper
Benjamin
PhD
Sodar Comparison Methods for compatible wind
speedestimation
Salford Business Schoiol
Polychronakis
Yiannis
PhD
On the Interactions between Supply Chain
and Project Management: Theoretical and
EmpiricalConsiderations
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Rabasse
Praba
DPROF
To Compare the Efficacy of Blood Pressure
Reduction with or without the Biochemical Profile
School of Music, Media & Performance Rambarran
Sharadai
PhD
Innovations in Contemporary Popular Music and
Digital Media, and Reconstructions of the
MusicIndustry in the 21st Century
Salford School of Business
Rashid
Amber
PhD
The Offshore Outsourcing of IT Services A New Service Development Perspective
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Rayner
Gillian
PhD
Interpersonal Processes and Self Injury
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Reading
Michael
PhD
The Application of MEIS for the Physical
Characterisationof High-K Ultra Thin Dielectric
Layers in Microelectronic Devices
School of the Built Environment
Rhoden
|Paul
DBENV
August/September | 59
RISE
Postgraduate awards
School
Surname
Forename
Award
Title
School of Environment & Life Sciences
Rhumah
Abadalslam
PhD
Environmental Investment in the Libyan Cement
and Iron and Steel Industrial Sectors-Measuring
the Environmental Investment Yield
School of the Built Environment
Safour
Aziza
PhD
Analysis of Road User Charging Impacts on
Activity Travel Patterns in Libya
Salford Business School
Sahak
Siti
PhD
Ethnocentric Consumption of Malaysian
Consumers and Acculturating Migrants
School of Computing Science
& Engineering
Rosidah
Sam
PhD
A Novel, Flexible, Multi-Functional Handling
Devicebased on Bernoulli Principle
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Savic-Jabrow
Pamela
DPROF
School of Environnment & Life Sciences Schroder
Lena
MSR
Antioxidant Activity of Lycopene and Tomato
Products
School of Music, Media & Performance
Severn
Edwin
DMA
Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance
Critical Commentary
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Sharples
Naomi
DPROF
The Experiences of Deaf People on Becoming
and Being Qualified Mental Health Nurses:
A Narrative Exploration
School of Social Work Psychology &
Public Health
Spence
Nicola
PhD
Establishing a Theoretical Basis for Quality of Life
Measurement
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Strudwick
Ruth
DPROF
An Ethnographic Study of the Culture in a
Diagnostic Imaging Department
Salford Business School
Sulaiman
Nor Intan
PhD
School of the built Environment
Tezel
Bulent
PhD
Visual Management: An Exploration of the
Concept and it’s Implementation in Construction
School of Environment & Life Sciences
Thomasson
Denise
PhD
An Investigation into Congenital Transmissionof
Toxoplasma Gondii as a Potential Mode of
Transmission in Mice and Humans
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Wray
Juli
PhD
Bouncing Back? An Ethnographic Study
exploring the Contextof Care and Recovery
after Birth through the Experiences and Voices
of Mothers
School of English, Sociology, Politics &
Contemporary History
Zwolski
Kamil
PhD
The EU as an International Security Actor:
A Comprehensive Approach
60 | August/September
The Critical Success Factors for Knowledge
Sharing Behaviour among Malaysian
Undergraduate Students
RISE
International news
Global
nursing
Regardless of national
boundaries, health care
delivery systems and
professional/lay status,
nursing practice is evident
in some shape or form
across the globe.
W
hile cultural competence
and respect for individual
differences spring
immediately to mind as
essential requisites for global nursing,
there has been comparatively little
identification and discussion of the wider
core knowledge and skills for global nurse
employability. This is a significant omission
given the extent of nurse migration for
employment purposes.
Staff from the School of Nursing,
Midwifery and Social Work, University of
Salford and the School of Nursing, Fujian
Medical University, China are exploring
global nurse employability further. Under
the auspices of the British Council PMI2
Connect programme the team have
undertaken systematic review training
provided by Dr Alison Brettle, University
of Salford, and plans are in hand to
complete a systematic literature review;
ideally in English and Chinese languages
to scope the subject. The outcome will be
a model of global nurse employability and
accompanying learning resources. Led by
Professor Xiaoying Jiang the team from
Fuzhou comprising Dr Hui Min Xiao and Dr
Rong Fang Hu have already visited Salford
to compare and contrast nurse education in
China and the UK.
Dr Gillian Crofts, School of Health, Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences,
was invited to attend The 6th ORPHEUS Conference held in Dokuz
University Izmir, Turkey this year. The conference theme was PhD
Quality Indicators for Biomedicine and Health Sciences.
T
Doctoral training is held in high esteem by
UK and European academic institutions as the
pathway for all future researchers and
findings, and workshops related to
information searching and writing for
publication. A dedicated virtual learning
environment is under construction as part
of the project, and this will go live once
the project is completed.
Name: Nancy Lee
Email: [email protected]
A return visit to Fuzhou is planned in the
autumn by Dr Nancy Lee, Dawn Hennefer
and other colleagues from Salford.
Activities will include review of literature
PhD quality indicators for
biomedicine and health
sciences
he conference comprised of oral
and poster presentations and
workshops, with over 300
international delegates attending
over the 4 days. Gillian was involved in writing
a positioning paper, managing a workshop
and presenting a paper on PhD Standards
in Health Sciences. The outcomes from the
conference are a culmination of contributions
from across different disciplines in Biomedicine
and Health Sciences.
Above: Nurse education compared in
China and UK
academic careers, this conference provided
the opportunity to share good practice and
take the lead in developing guidelines for
good practice in doctoral education of the
future. What is unique about PhD education
in the Health Sciences is recognising the
profession specific nature of the award.
The PhD should not only be relevant to
professional practice therefore, but also
demonstrate the ability to change policy or
practice. Evidence of leadership in the field
and the potential to be influential in the
profession were also seen as important
factors.
Gillian’s workshop focused on the journey of
doctoral training, it outlined the key stages
in the educational process and for each stage
presented characteristics that defined the
quality of learning experiences in a framework
of doctoral education.
The outcome from the Conference is an
ORPHEUS document on standards of PhD
Education in Biomedicine and Health
Sciences and can be found at
www.orpheus2011izmir.org.
Since the Conference Gillian has continued to
collaborate with colleagues in Turkey on her
research into ultrasound scanning of the foot
and ankle and would also like to acknowledge
colleagues from Salford University along with
colleagues from Universities in Turkey and
Sweden who contributed to the early
discussions of this work.
Name: Gillian Crofts
Email: [email protected]
August/September | 61
RISE
International news
Vice-Chancellor visit to India
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin Hall, and Mr Michael Lurie, Head of International Partnerships at
the University, recently visited India as part of the ongoing strengthening relationship the University
has with Indian Institutions.
T
he visit was primarily to follow
up on partnership initiatives
established in 2010; to investigate
CPD offerings in industry as
potential partnership models for the
University, support key milestones in other
partnership activity, increase awareness of
Salford activity in India at senior levels of UK
and Indian governmental offices and to
scope initial feedback on MediaCityUK
opportunities in India.
A highlight of this successful visit was the
affiliation of ThinkLABS India. The University
of Salford will be the first higher education
institution to offer a master’s degree in
Robotics and Embedded Systems taught in
both India and the UK, when it launches in
September. This innovative postgraduate
course has been developed in partnership
with Mumbai-based science education provider, ThinkLABS, in order to meet the demands
of the Indian market which has seen a massive
increased shift to the use of robotics and
intelligent systems. A recent study by the
Indian National Association of Software and
Services Companies predicted the industry will
triple its market size by 2015. Robotics and
embedded systems are essential for creating
sustainable manufacturing and autonomous
systems businesses in India. The programme
will combine four months teaching in
embedded systems - computer systems
designed to do one or a few dedicated and
specific functions - in Mumbai, with the
remaining eight months at the University of
Salford’s Centre for Advanced Robotics . There
is significant market growth forecast in the
area of robotics and embedded systems across
sectors including aerospace, nuclear,
automotive and petrochemicals. ThinkLABS
is a pioneer in the fields of hands-on science
and technology education in India, and is an
incubated company of the Indian Institutes of
Technology (IIT) Bombay. Gaurav Chaturvedi,
Director Vice-President of ThinkLABS said:
“The robotics and embedded systems arena is
set to witness a high growth stage. Currently,
the embedded space is witnessing a gap
between the skill set required and that which
is available. We are collaborating with the
University of Salford to bring in their
technical expertise with robotics and Salford’s
course is one of the leading courses in the UK.
We believe that this reputation, together with
ThinkLABS’ established technical expertise in
the field of embedded systems, can lead to an
instrumental part of the growth story of this
industry”.
Left: Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin Hall
The students get a chance to explore another
culture whilst spending the year focused on
the advanced science curriculum that prepares
them well to continue their studies in
graduate or professional areas”. Sounds like
a winner for both sides of the Atlantic!
Sino British College China
Other international
news
Toledo University
The University of Toledo (UT) has renewed its
commitment to an international exchange
programme that immerses students in a year
of advanced science education in England.
University of Toledo representatives met at the
University of Salford recently to renew, for a
further five years, the exchange programme
memorandum of understanding that has
been ongoing since 1984.
Dr. Patricia Komuniecki, UT‘s Vice Provost for
Graduate Affairs and Dean of the College of
Graduate Studies said: “I am delighted this
62 | August/September
important exchange programme has enjoyed
such a rich history and that both institutions
are committed to see it continue”. Each year
an average of 8 – 10 UT science majors,
primarily biology/pre-med students,
spend their junior year at Salford taking
upper division lecture and lab modules.
In reciprocation, Salford students travel to
UT during their second year to experience
science education in the USA. Dr. Brian
Ashburner, UT Associate Dean of the College
of Natural Sciences, said: The programme
really provides a unique experience to be
immersed in another culture for a full year.
The University of Salford is looking forward
to welcoming a new cohort of Sino British
College students from Shanghai who will
be entering the University at second year
of their undergraduate studies primarily in
areas of business. The University welcomes
these students and as part of the growing
partnership with Sino British College
and explorations of further collaborative
opportunities.
New agreement with Edexcel
Always with a view of opening our doors
to students from international shores the
University of Salford has recently signed
a global agreement with Edexcel where
progression routes to Salford will be marketed
to Edexcel students across the globe to study
programmes in several discipline areas at
undergraduate level. This is an excellent
opportunity for the University to attract
students from countries we may not work
with on a regular basis and thereby diversify
our base of international students with
students looking for completion of their
UK degree pathway.
RISE
Forthcoming events
6th September, 2011 – British Accounting and Finance Association
Northern Area annual Conference. The University of Salford is hosting
a conference on behalf of the British Accounting and Finance
Association (BAFA), which is open to delegates, including practitioners,
from the UK and overseas. Venue: University of Salford.
For more information go to: www.salford.ac.uk/events/details/1506
7th September 2011 – Research for patient benefit: are we really
making a difference for foot disease in the rheumatic disorders?
Professor Jim Woodburn, Glasgow Caledonian University.
Cutting-edge research that is driving changes in clinical practice in the
assessment and management of people with foot problems associated
with rheumatic diseases. Venue: Mary Seacole Building, University of
Salford. For more information contact: [email protected]
12th – 13th September, 2011 – COBRA 2011: RICS International
Research Conference. COBRA is the Royal Institution of Chartered
Surveyors’ (RICS) international research conference. The conference
caters for all aspects of the research and academic base of the
chartered surveying profession and provides an important forum for
educators, researchers and practitioners to meet, and to discuss the
latest research developments in the field. The conference also hosts
the annual RICS Legal Research Symposium and the inaugural
meeting of the Law Postgraduate Research Forum (CIB W113 Student
Chapter), organised in partnership with CIB Working Commission
W113, and features special conference streams in knowledge
management and biodiversity and the built environment. For more
information go to: www.salford.ac.uk/events/details/1391
12th – 14th September, 2011 - The Prosody-Discourse Interface
(including research training workshop and special workshop on
expressives and affective prosody). Invited speakers: Nicole Dehe,
University of Konstanz; John Local, University of York; Chris Potts,
University of Stanford; Marc Schroeder, German Research Centre for
Artificial Intelligence. The Conference is the fourth in a series which
provides a forum for those working on the relationship between
prosody and discourse. Venue: University of Salford. For more
information go to: www.languages.salford.ac.uk/reserach/centre_
applied_linguistics/events.php
16th September 2011 – Industry Transformation Day: Building
Information Modelling and Lean Process Improvement. This COBRA
2011 Industry Transformation Day will bring together internationally
leading practitioners and academics to present stimulating examples
of these business models illustrating the leading edge of UK and
International practice from the perspective of clients, contractors and
designers. Venue: University of Salford. For more information go to:
www.scri.salford.ac.uk/events
21st October, 2011 – International Online Conference in Translation
and Interpreting Studies. The aim of this online conference is to bring
together international postgraduates from within the various areas of
Translation and Interpreting Studies and to give them the opportunity
to present papers to their peers. For more information go to:
www.salford.ac.uk/events/details/1506
25th November, 2011 - Solution Focused Practice with Children and
Families. Designed in collaboration with the United Kingdom
Association for Solution Focused Practice (UKASFP) the conference will
provide you with the opportunity to: Hear success stories of solution
focused approaches with children and families from experienced
speakers and workshop presenters; attend interactive and creative
workshops to energise you with new ideas to implement solution
focused practice and meet other strengths-based practitioners and
share your positive practice experiences. Venue: Salford Innovation
Forum. For more information go to:
http://www.salford.ac.uk/events/details/1510
9th – 10th December 2011 – Periodicals across Europe: Call for
Papers. Keynote Speakers: Professor Sophie Levie, Radboud
Universiteit Nijmegen; Professor Barbara Mittler, Ruprecht-KarlsUniversitat, Heidelberg; Dr Sascha Bru, Katholieke, Universiteit Leuven.
To mark the foundation of the European Society for Periodical Research
(ESPRit), the Centre for Periodicals Research at the University of Salford
is hosting the Periodicals Across Europe Conference 2011. The theme
of the conference is the comparative study of European periodicals and
periodical cultures, and the conference organisers now welcome
proposals for contributions. Venue: The Burgess Foundation,
Manchester. For more information go to: www.famss.salford.ac.uk/
research/espach/Periodicals_Across_Europe.php
23rd January, 2012 - Enterprise Conference for Postgraduates.
This one-day conference will explore the different facets of what it
means to be an entrepreneur or to be enterprising. The day will consist
of panel sessions, workshops and networking opportunities and is
run in collaboration with the University of Manchester. Venue:
MediaCityUK (TBC). For more information contact:
[email protected]
24th – 26th January, 2012 – Retrofit 2012 Academic Conference.
The reduction of energy demand from the existing stock of buildings
has been identified as a core part of UK and EU energy policy. As a
high-level research, economic and policy question it brings together
many disciplines in addressing a pressing real world problem. Retrofit
2012 will look to accept papers from disciplines including the sciences,
economics, built environment, business and management, information
technology and computing, psychology and sociology. Venue:
The Lowry, Salford Quays. For more information go to:
http://www.salford.ac.uk/events/details/1504
26th June, 2012 - PG Futures Careers Conference. This is an annual
one-day careers conference for postgraduates. The aim of which is to
make delegates more aware of their career options as well as the
strategies that can help in ensuring career success either within or
outside of academia. Venue: University of Salford, Lady Hale Buidling
(TBC). For more information contact: [email protected]
31st October – 6th November 2011 – Advances in neurocognitive
bases of Dyslexia. Cristina Dye will be running a workshop on
‘Advances in neurocognitive bases of Dyslexia’ during the Dyslexia
Awareness Week this Autumn. The workshop is aimed at
practitioners, educators and researchers in the Salford and Manchester
areas. Venue: University of Salford. For more information go to:
[email protected]
August/September | 63
RISE
Contact details
If any of the research in this issue could
support your business, policy or processes
- get in touch with the University:
Professor Ghassan Aouad
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation, Strategic Leadership Team, The Old Fire Station, The Crescent
e: [email protected] t: 0161 295 5382
Professor Sue Kilcoyne, Associate Dean Research
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Environments, Newton Building
e: [email protected] t: 0161 295 2865
Professor John Keiger, Associate Dean Research
Faculty of Arts, Media and Social Sciences, Crescent House
e: [email protected] t: 0161 295 5275
Professor Mustafa Alshawi, Associate Dean Research
Faculty of Business, Law and the Built Environment, Maxwell Building
e: [email protected] t: 0161 295 5128
Professor Tony Warne, Associate Dean Research
Faculty of Health & Social Care, Allerton Building
e: [email protected] t: 0161 295 2777
Dr Chris Harrison
Director of Research & Innovation, Research & Graduate College, Faraday House
e: [email protected] t: 0161 295 5998
Dr Matt Boswell
Acting Assistant Registrar (Research Co-ordination) Research & Graduate College, Faraday House
e: [email protected] t: 0161 295 4301
Mrs Anna Higson
Executive/Projects Officer, Maxwell Building, The Crescent
e: [email protected] t: 0161 295 3176
Mrs Gillian Southwell, PA to PVC Research & Innovation
The Old Fire Station, The Crescent
e: [email protected] t: 0161 295 5382
Mrs Sandra Wadeson, Administrator
Research & Graduate College, Faraday House
e: [email protected] t: 0161 295 3671
Mrs Linda Kelly, PA to Director of Graduate Studies
Research & Graduate College, Faraday House
e: ­­­[email protected] t: 0161 295 3841
Editor Anna Higson
64 | August/September
www.rgc.salford.ac.uk
Communications Division, 0161 295 2639 (31617/09/11)
Research & Graduate College
University of Salford
Faraday House,
Salford, M5 4WT
t: +44 (0)161 295 4616/4301