RISE May-June 2009 - University of Salford

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RISE! Research Innovation and Internationalisation News RESEARCH SCOPING STUDIES FOR NEW UNIVERSITY THEMES A key aspect of the new Research & Innovation Strategy is to develop a series of broad interdisciplinary themes. The themes have been identified by the University's Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) as areas where the internal strengths and potential of the University chime with important external drivers. They are set to address key societal issues such as understanding climate change, the use of Information and Communication Technology in every aspect of our lives, living securely in the globalcommunity and creating affordable, energy-efficient housing. In order to inform the development of the research aspect of these themes, the Research & Graduate College commissioned five studies to scope the potential for growing research activity within these areas. The studies (available at www.rgc.salford.ac.uk/page/research_themes) were presented by their authors at an internal conference on 28 October 2008 that was attended by in excess of 150 members of staff. The full list of themes is set out below. Please note that some of these titles are broader in nature than the original reports, reflecting the feedback already received: The themes will provide an opportunity for University staff to collaborate in unique ways with staff in other disciplines, whilst retaining a strong mono-disciplinary focus through their Research Centres. The reports, along with feedback received by the Research & Graduate College, will be considered by the Research & Innovation Steering Board. This Board, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor Designate, will be leading the implementation of the Research & Innovation Strategy and will consider how the themes will be introduced and operationalised. Your views are still very welcome and should be made by email to: m.hession@salford.ac.uk The following pages give a précis of the five original scoping study reports. If you would like to read the full reports please go to: http://www.rgc.salford.ac.uk/page/research_themes > Energy (including environmental issues, sustainability, new materials, nanotechnology, resources) > Human rights, crime, security, terrorism, disaster management, war studies > Media and creative industries and technologies, including digital economy and digital technologies > Health and wellbeing, including social care > Innovation and enterprise > Built and human environment (already well established) 26
RISE! Research Innovation and Internationalisation News RESEARCH AND INNOVATION: SHAPING THE FUTURE REPORT: HEALTH, SOCIAL CARE AND WELLBEING Professor Mike Kagioglou, BuHu / SOBE; Dr Lindsey Dugdill, Faculty of Health and Social Care; Mr. Ricardo Codinhoto, BuHu / SOBE; and Mrs Kathryn Yates, BuHu / SOBE. This scoping report addressed the internal capacity and expertise available in this area at the University of Salford, sources of UK/European funding available for health, social care and wellbeing related research, key policy drivers, and future opportunities. Health, social care and wellbeing have been increasingly topical in the political agenda in the last 8 years. During this period, in excess of £3.5 billion has been spent improving schools, hospitals and other public buildings/infrastructure in the North West. In health and social care, the main drivers are to increase quality whilst reducing costs, to increase efficiency and effectiveness, improve patient experience (Darzi, 2008) and fundamentally improve health and social care / wellbeing outcomes. Thus, in general, health and social care is moving gradually from “curative” to a more “preventative” approach towards sustainable wellbeing. Within the Salford University context, some multi-disciplinary/cross faculty/health and social care related research has been conducted but opportunities have not yet realised the potential with respect to the agenda of opportunity in the field. In particular, there is strong need for inter and multidisciplinary research across disciplines that cut across the whole University. There are many funding bodies and opportunities for health, social care and wellbeing research. Strategic Recommendations: 1. Establish an advisory/steering leadership group that would take forward the recommendations and explore future opportunities over a period of 6 to 12 months. 2. Prioritise funding/training opportunities as part of a coherent strategy in the areas of Health, Social Care and Wellbeing. 3. Aim to emulate the healthy wellbeing ethos through to all areas of the University, for example when planning new buildings, catering, etc. so that we move to a situation where the University of Salford not only delivers but also embodies this ethos. 4. Engage with and enhance our collaboration with key institutions in the UK and internationally that have an established influence both in funding and policy terms, for example University Medical School Kings College London, Imperial College, among others. Future Opportunities: 1. Develop a Centre for multidisciplinary research across knowledge bases, schools and expertises: the study identified many centres working in the same areas across different contexts. The report identified the main (high) level research themes to be (in no particular order): a) Environment; b) Public/Social Health/Care; c) Education/Training; d) Evidence-Based Approaches; and e) Information and Communication Technology (ICT). A sixth theme “Patient/ Communities Experience” is also included and it was considered as a broader crosscutting theme encompassing the other five themes. 2. Identify and bid for external infrastructure monies in the future that will allow the development of mock-up rooms (both physical and virtual), link medical and non-medical practices to enable better training and education. 3. Internationalise our funding sources: the majority of the existing funding in the areas of the study are UK-based and there is a need to engage with international agendas and funding sources. 4. Work more closely with key user-communities and stakeholders through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and collaborative work to increase our impact and profile and help alleviate degreasing research council funding. For example the Media City project offers great opportunities in this area. 5. New multi-faceted courses need to be developed in particular around Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and organisation specific training (work-based learning). There are also opportunities in the area of professional doctorates. 6. ICT healthcare/workplace health school/centre needed: there is a missed opportunity in capitalising our ICT competencies across the University and great advances can be made here at a fast speed. 27
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RISE May-June 2009 - University of Salford

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