RISE May-June 2009 - University of Salford

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RISE! Research Innovation and Internationalisation News MEDIA AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES/INDUSTRIES Dr Garry Crawford, Institute for Social, Cultural and Policy Research, and Professor Ben Light, Director ISOS, School of Media, Music and Performance It is clear that the media and creative industries have, and continue to be, important constituents of our social, cultural, political and economic landscape. In particular, new developments in media technologies, such as advances in mobile telephone and video production technologies, have made media more accessible and participatory and are profoundly changing patterns of media consumption and production. However, even in the light of such new shifts, it is important to recognise that the media and the creative industries have a long and rich history - and this must be remembered in the light of the excitement around MediaCityUK. Indeed, the University has a long and established pedigree in media-related research and teaching, with the International Media Centre established in 1993 and the School of Media, Music and Performance in 1999 (with media being represented in other institutional forms at least as far back as 1993). Specifically in terms of the University of Salford’s capacity and capabilities, we clearly have real strengths in a number of key areas. These areas include: film scholarship, script-writing, cultural politics, literature and creative writing, music, art, design, heritage, computing, video games, social media, information systems and virtual environments — but this is by no means is this an exhaustive list. In particular, since writing the original ‘peaks of excellence’ report the University had significant success in several Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) submission areas of direct relevance to the media and creative industries. These include Communication, Culture and Media Studies, Library and Information Management, English Language and Literature and Art and Design. There were also important media-related themes and research evident in other University RAE submissions made in health, the built environment, business and management, social work and social policy and administration, law, and of course, music. Regionally, the North West has a long tradition in many aspects of the cultural industries, including, television, radio, newspaper publishing, music, digital games and other cultural industries such as advertising, design and marketing. Indeed, although this sector is rapidly growing in the UK, this is markedly so in the North West, and the North West Development Agency (NWDA) believes that the North West can become the creative hub of the UK, if not Europe. It almost goes without saying of course that MediaCityUK undoubtedly provides one of, if not the, most important and exciting developments in the North West in recent decades, and it is evident that the University of Salford will be a key partner in this. In terms of the University’s wider engaging with the media and creative industries, it is notable that the Government and funding bodies are making increasing amounts of monies available to research that is ‘user’ focused. Though, this should not be taken to suggest that all academic work now needs to be end-user focused, it is important to recognise that interdisciplinary working to meet the diverse needs of end-users and keys industry partnerships are significant areas for new research opportunities and development. In terms of the way forward, the media and creative industries ‘peaks of excellence’ scoping-report recommends continued investment in core areas of media and creative industry/technology teaching and research. This also suggests the need for an internal refocusing around interdisciplinary clusters and research focused on the media and creative industries. This activity needs, we argue, to be pulled together and to represent the established and impressive capabilities that the University has in the media and creative industries. 30
RISE! Research Innovation and Internationalisation News CRIME AND SECURITY Mr Andrew Wootton, Director, Design Against Crime Research Centre; Dr Christopher Birkbeck, School of English, Sociology, Politics and Contemporary History and Dr Caroline Davey, Design & Innovation Research Group. The importance of crime and security Crime and security are key issues for the UK Government and for the European Union. Crime affects a large proportion of the population. England and Wales are among the countries with the highest victimisation rates in the industrialised world. Reducing crime and fear of crime and increasing security form part of the UK Government’s sustainability agenda. Crime and security are major issues for residents and users of urban environments, and a key factor in social and economic decline. While crime levels are decreasing across Europe, fear of crime and feelings of insecurity remain serious problems and negatively impact on citizens’ quality of life. In addition, terrorism has become a key issue internationally. Attention has focused on radicalisation, improved policing and surveillance technologies, legal reform and resilience. The design and construction of buildings, places and services can significantly reduce the likelihood and impact of a terrorist attack. We believe that the University of Salford should aim to create a vibrant, ambitious and world-renowned peak of excellence in crime and security. ‘Crime’ and ‘security’ can refer to a wide variety of concepts, but a key consideration is the potential harm to individuals, groups and society. Crimes and analogous harmful behaviours are subject to sanction. Security is defined freedom from danger or risk of harm, and this report focuses on security in relation to crime and analogous behaviours. Insecurity may derive from non-human sources (e.g. natural disasters), but this was considered outside the scope of our report. Recommendations Our report provides recommendations that build on the valuable work in the crime and security domain currently underway at Salford, and focus on three themes: A Supporting existing crime/security groups and researchers to flourish and grow There is a clear need to develop research capacity by encouraging and supporting those undertaking research to share ideas, generate projects, win funding and achieve their full potential. Established groups require practical support to deliver projects, meet demand and ensure continued success. B Supporting improved interaction between strands of activity in crime and security The Salford Crime and Security Research Network should be established to create a framework for the internal exchange of information, knowledge and expertise. C Raising Salford’s external profile in the crime and/security domain. Recommendations are made to improve external communication of Salford crime and security work to other researchers, criminal justice and other relevant organisations, funding bodies and the media. The internal and external context Our research showed that the crime/security domain is already well established within Salford. 27 researchers completed a web-based survey detailing their current sources of funding, their current enterprise activities, how they are influencing policy, and their priorities for the future. Research clusters/groups include: Design Against Crime Solution Centre; Salford Centre for Prison Studies; Centre for Social Inclusion, Risk and Crime; Contemporary History and Politics Research Centre; Informatics Research Institute and Salford Centre of Legal Research. 31
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RISE May-June 2009 - University of Salford

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