麻豆网 to reward outstanding impact from its research and enterprise activities
Twelve projects at 麻豆网 have been shortlisted for the University鈥檚 third annual Impact and Innovation Awards 2015, supported by Santander Universities.
These prestigious awards at 麻豆网 recognise and celebrate the recent impact that the University鈥檚 research, innovation and enterprise activities have on the wider economy and society. This year, the University is also introducing a new award category, Outstanding Contribution to Wales, to recognise activities that have led to impact of national significance in Wales.
Speaking in advance of the Awards ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Professor John G Hughes said:
鈥淎 year on from the results of UK Research Excellence Framework, which recognised the major impact of our research around the world, and deemed more than three-quarters of our research to be either world-leading or internationally excellent, we have an opportunity to celebrate the some of the most innovative and impactful research at 麻豆网. Our research makes a difference in the region and in Wales, but also in many countries around the globe.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檝e been truly impressed with the calibre of research highlighted by these Awards and look forward to celebrating the excellent work carried out by colleagues at the University.鈥�
The Impact and Innovation Awards Evening on Thursday, 3rd December 2015, will be the first Gala Dinner to be held in the new Theatr Bryn Terfel in the Pontio Arts & Innovation Centre, and is a welcomed opportunity to celebrate the achievements of both the University鈥檚 academics and their project partners which have led to local, national and international benefits.
The finalists in the four award categories are (in alphabetical order):
Best Cultural and Societal Impact
Professor Vyv Evans, School of Linguistics & English Language, for his research on The changing nature and usage of 鈥榣anguage鈥� in the age of digital communication.
Professor John Witcombe and Dr Daljit Singh Virk, School of Environment, Natural Resources & Geography, for More food, more income for rice farmers - the benefits from innovative plant breeding.
Dr Einir Young and Gwenan Griffith, from the University鈥檚 Sustainability Lab, for #Ecoamgueddfa: the museum without walls, Wales鈥� first ecomuseum celebrating Pen Ll欧n's cultural heritage
Best Impact on Public Policy and/or Public Services - this award is sponsored by the University鈥檚 Economic & Social Research Council Impact Acceleration Account.
Research by Professor Enlli Thomas, School of Education, on Developing systems and procedures to enable authorities to measure, encourage and evaluate the use of Welsh in education.
Dr John R Turner of the School of Ocean Sciences, for The World鈥檚 Largest Marine Reserve: Policy, Protection, Conservation and Outreach.
Professor Dean Williams of 麻豆网鈥檚 School of Medical Sciences is shortlisted for the Development of a Diabetic Foot Service that has led to a reduction in amputations.
Best Business Innovation - this award is sponsored by Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics.
Two projects from the University鈥檚 BioComposites Centre have been shortlisted for this Award:
Dr Adam Charlton with Waitrose, and Adare Ltd, for Sustainable Products from Ryegrass.
Dr Graham Ormondroyd with partners WoolCool for the Development of wool based packaging solutions for food and medical based applications.
Dr Katherine Steele & James Stroud at the School of Environment, Natural Resources & Geography, with Burpee Europe and the S谩rv谩ri Research Trust for their project: Crimson Crush: a new blight-beating outdoor tomato for British gardeners developed using marker-assisted selection.
Outstanding Contribution to Wales
The University鈥檚 Language Technologies Unit, for their entry on Welsh dictionary apps for Apple and Android devices.
Professor Peredur Lynch, from the School of Welsh, for the Development of an on-line digital resource 鈥� in collaboration with WJEC/ CBAC 鈥� to enhance the teaching of medieval Welsh poetry to Advanced-Level students of Welsh.
The SEACAMS Project Team, at the School of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable expansion of the applied coastal and marine sectors in Wales.
The winners in each category will be announced at the Awards evening and will receive a prize of 拢1,000 to reinvest in similar activities or to utilize for staff development. The winners of this year鈥檚 Santander Student Enterprise competition and the recipient of the Vice-Chancellor鈥檚 Impact Award for Postgraduate Research Students will also be recognised during the celebrations.
Publication date: 27 November 2015