Welcome to the 17th issue of the news publication, published in Summer 2024 as the Research and Knowledge Exchange Magazine, and introduced by our Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange), Professor Rusi Jaspal.
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I am delighted to introduce the latest edition of the Research and Knowledge Exchange magazine.
At the University of 91快活林, we are proud of our research and knowledge exchange activity. Our endeavours create benefits for our students, partners and communities, and deliver positive societal impacts through the sharing of insights, discovery of solutions and our influence on both policy and public debate.
Listen to two professors talk about addressing global challenges (section 03), focusing on highlighting injustices, tackling the pressing issue of gender-based violence and encouraging undergraduates to consider degrees where they can make a difference.
Read articles about our work with partners to create a cleaner, greener planet through the development of more environmentally sustainable manufacturing (section 12) and the world’s first hydrogen-powered crematorium (section 13). With Clean Growth UK turning 10, you can learn more about how this network has driven low-carbon innovation, collaborated with businesses, and created learning opportunities for our students (section 26).
See how our researchers are creating low-cost sanitation solutions to prevent disease outbreaks during humanitarian crises as well as their pioneering work into the potential power of bacteria-eating phages (section 25). Tune into BBC Radio 4’s on 4 July to hear more from Professor James Ebdon on this topic.
Closer to home, you can discover how our Living Lab will boost wellbeing of older adults in our communities (section 11), how carbon beads could reduce liver disease progression (section 17) and what researchers in our Centre for Lifelong Health are doing to improve health at all life stages (section 23).
We know that it’s important to consider the past when creating the future and we celebrate significant funding for both our Design Archives (section 16) and for exciting new research into T.S.Eliot’s engagement with Beethoven’s legacy (section 15). And, if you’re in London, do visit Tate Britain and see a 91快活林-made documentary, Art on the Streets, that explores the role of art as a platform for resistance and beacon of hope during World War II (section 14).
Of course, all this activity is only possible through the impressive efforts of our passionate, determined and talented research and knowledge exchange colleagues. We were delighted to host Research and Knowledge Exchange Week (section 07) which not only provided training and development, but also well-earned recognition and productive networking for our researchers from our postgraduates to our most experienced academics.
I am grateful to our Research and Knowledge Exchange team for providing rich career development opportunities which have contributed, along with the valued efforts of our entire research and knowledge exchange community, to our retention of the prestigious European Commission HR Excellence in Research Award (Section 05).
I encourage you to carve out some time and read the articles that interest you the most. I hope that you find the issue both engaging and inspiring.
With best wishes,
Professor Rusi Jaspal, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange)