Impact Awards 2020

The Maldives are famous as a holiday paradise, but this archipelagic nation in the Indian Ocean faces enormous environmental challenges. The Government are aware of these threats, but often disconnected from the communities that live on the outlying islands, where the daily impact of environmental change is being felt. 

Working in the small islands of the North Malé atoll, Dr Arnall in collaboration with colleagues in the Maldives and at the University of Manchester, involved residents in research to build a picture of their changing environment. This included empowering islanders to capture their everyday lives and challenges on camera.

The research revealed three major daily changes causing great concern among local people;

the erosion of coastline due to natural forces and coastal engineering, the accumulation of rubbish washed-up on the shoreline, and the rapid expansion of the built environment for tourists. These concerns were brought into sharp focus at an exhibition of islanders’ photographs in Malé, attended by the public, local and international policymakers.

One island council reported that the exhibition launch led to approval, the next day, of its application to erect coastal defences. And with new skills and confidence, island communities are now better equipped to articulate their concerns and propose locally-driven solutions.

In partnership with Prof Uma Kothari, University of Manchester, Dr Mizna Mohamed, ENDEVOR Maldives. Funded by ESRC-DFID Development Frontiers Research Fund

Reading International brings local and international artists together with communities. It tests the possibilities of sparking debate and allowing people to explore contemporary issues through unique and site-specific artworks. The programme of exhibitions, film screenings, workshops and public artworks is born out of a collaborative three-year research project led by Professor of Fine Art, Susanne Clausen. 

Curators and high-profile artists from around the world – including Turner Prize winner Helen Cammock, and Tel Aviv’s Public Movement - delivered over 70 events and installations. Art works showcased in diverse and unexpected spaces and included town-centre billboard posters exploring ‘community’, and a participatory performance on campus on counter-terrorism. Artists paired with local venues to develop site-specific responses to diverse topics from global challenges to local history. In 2019, Reading International hosted a Partner Summit at Tate Exchange, London.

The vibrant and varied programme reached over 45,000 people, including business and community partners, youth groups and school children, bringing benefits to the art and wider community; young artists developed, participants gained confidence to engage with art and artists, and local venues diversified. 

In recognition of its distinctive blend of research and public engagement, Reading International won the award for Best Cultural Organisation of the Year in the Reading Cultural Awards. 

In partnership with Rising Sun Arts Centre, Open Hand Open Space, Broad Street Mall, Reading Borough Council, and Museum, Greenham Common Tower Museum. Funded by 
Arts Council England, Reading Borough Council, University of Reading, Artis, Cultural Bridges – European Union, Goethe Institute

 

Correctly appraising how much existing buildings and development land is worth is important. Getting it wrong can have major consequences for individuals, communities, businesses and economies. During the global financial crisis in 2008, several UK banks failed in part due to unsustainable lending secured on commercial property.

Professor Crosby developed robust new long-term valuation models for real estate. Working with Peter Wyatt, Steven Devaney, Pat McAllister and Cathy Hughes, the team is bringing industry bodies together to agree new bases and methods of valuation to improve the transparency of secured lending. 

Their commercial property valuation model has been adopted by the International Monetary Fund for some of its individual country financial stability assessments and, in the UK, it contributes to the Bank of England’s annual resilience tests of UK banks and commentaries on the commercial property within its periodic Financial Stability Report.

The team’s research into property valuation has also driven changes in how developments are appraised internationally and identified flaws in UK Government planning policy relating to affordable housing in England. 

Their best practice international guidance for the valuation of development land is being applied by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.  And now they are shaping the National Planning Policy Framework, work that will help close loopholes that allowed developers to reduce the amount of affordable housing within residential developments.

In partnership with University of Cambridge. Funded by Investment Property Forum,
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Depression is on the rise in many modern societies. Climate and biodiversity crises are deepening. The issues might seem disparate, but research suggests that our mind sets are key to both problems. Increasing individuals’ sense of connectedness, with other people and with nature, has been shown to reduce depression and increase environmentally-friendly behaviours.

Tom Oliver is on a quest to embed that connectedness. His book The Self Delusion - published in January 2020 - explains how we are far more connected to each other and the world around us than we realise. He surprises the reader with scientific evidence that explains all atoms are recycled between organisms, trillions of germs colonise us, and our attitudes and ideas are shaped by others. The Self Delusion has received rave reviews and sparked follow-up media coverage and invitations to speak at literary festivals, extending its reach and influence.

Professor Oliver has also taken connectedness and systems thinking into the corridors of power, working with Defra to design a Systems Research Programme. The programme aims to achieve more effective and joined-up environmental policymaking. In this role Tom is helping galvanising government, pressure groups and the public to identify how to shift mind sets and change behaviour for the good of the planet.

In partnership with Defra, HM Cabinet Office, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council

With huge caseloads and stretched budgets, it is harder than ever for GPs to keep abreast of the latest developments through traditional routes, such as conferences and journals. This project offered a 21^st century solution to support family doctors to stay up to date.

Via a Knowledge Exchange Partnership (KTP) employing Blessing Mbipom, the cross-disciplinary team worked with on-campus company Red Whale. The company delivers ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD) to primary care clinicians. The goal was to evolve their offering by creating innovative and engaging digital solutions for ‘anytime, anywhere’ learning, informed by GPs themselves.

The new resources were aimed at professionals across the multidisciplinary workforce, and ranged from ‘QuickDip’ microlessons, to ‘Deep Dive Masterclasses’ on difficult topics. Short emailed ‘Pearls’ of the latest evidence kept subscribers up to date. Webinars were delivered with engaging graphic elements and humour. And the resources employed the very best digital tools such as online chat, quizzes and real-time signposting for further reading to keep things interactive. 

The new materials which have won an international award, doubled user engagement in a single year, and half of all UK GPs accessed it. This new approach to CPD has meant Red Whale could respond to the pandemic situation with over 3,000 attendees accessing the ‘Remote Consulting Survival Webinar’.

In partnership with Red Whale, Reading. Funded by Innovate UK, KTP

Mining companies are required by regulators to restore landscapes to their former condition when mines are decommissioned. This restoration process usually involves liberal application of fertiliser to help vegetation re-grow quickly. Professor Tibbett, a plant and soil ecologist, could see this practice was doing more harm than good, so he acted.

In Western Australia, where ancient forests and healthlands are almost unrivalled in their biodiversity, the research team worked closely with mining companies to analyse ecosystem data for mine sites where restoration was underway or completed. The analysis revealed that over-fertilisation affected plant communities and their biodiversity negatively; adding too much phosphorus to soils that are naturally nutrient-poor.

The findings provided the evidence needed to convince regulators that current restoration practices are detrimental. Fertilisation requirements are now under review in Australia, and some mining companies – such as Alcoa Mining and Iluka Resource – have already reduced their use. Now, the evidence being shared at major international conferences; an important step in helping other mining nations recognise and address the issue. 

This work was carried out in partnership with a range of mining companies, regulatory bodies and conservation groups in Australia. Funded by Alcoa, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Jim’s Seeds Weeds and Trees.

Marie Neurath was a ground-breaking graphic designer who developed an innovative and creative approach to explaining science to children in the 1950s and 1960s. She generously donated her work to the University in 1971. Professor Sue Walker has now brought to light the important collection to inspire the wider public and educators alike.

Professor Walker designed and delivered a programme of activities to raise awareness of Neurath’s work and to encourage primary educators to apply her ideas in today’s teaching. An exhibition of the work at the House of Illustration in London attracted over 10,000 visitors. It received excellent reviews and inspired the gallery to run children’s workshops and a symposium, Women in Print. A digital version of the exhibition will extend its reach further.

Working closely with schools in Reading, Professor Walker and colleagues developed a suite of resources to support primary school science. The slide shows and worksheets use Marie Neurath’s illustrations that include techniques such as cross-section, magnification, and picture sequences to explain structures and phenomena. And now, the University’s Cole Museum of Zoology is set to use these educational resources – the perfect opportunity to highlight an important University collection to local visitors.

In partnership with House of Illustration, Design Science, Rivermead Primary School, St Dominic Savio Primary School, Fraser Muggeridge Studios. Funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Venomous snakebites kill up to 10,000 people a year in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. However, with rapid medical attention, most snakebites can be treated. A lack of public awareness led Dr Sakthivel Vaiyapuri to devise a targeted education programme. 

Agricultural workers are most at risk from snakebites, so the campaign targeted Tamil Nadu’s rural population. Dr Vaiyapuri collaborated with clinical colleagues and NGOs in the region to create leaflets, posters, a policy briefing and several short video documentaries. Each set out how to avoid snakebites: use a torch at night, wear shoes when working in the fields. And what to do if bitten: avoid traditional treatments, call for help, get to hospital quickly.

The resources have been well received in schools, universities, hospitals and public spaces. And the messages reinforced through widespread media coverage, Facebook advertising, and events for healthcare professionals in the region and beyond. Dr Vaiyapuri is now also targeting local policy makers to ensure all snakebite victims receive the best medical care and students study the essentials of snakebites in school.

The year-long campaign reached over 3 million people in Tamil Nadu, and 95% of those surveyed could recall the messages 12 months later. Myths were busted, and nearly half of snakebite victims attending a hospital were aware of, and had acted upon, the campaign.

In partnership with, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn, UK, TCR Multispeciality Hospital, India, Toxiven Biotech Limited, India, Urvanam team, India. Funded by Global Challenges Research Fund, University of Reading.