Research showcase and impact awards show university research is shaping society, policy and everyday life in unexpected ways
Curious minds grew curiouser as Central London’s iconic Senate House hosted for the first time on Thursday Brunel University of London’s Research Showcase and Impact Awards.
More than 250 academics, industry leaders, public sector workers and local public hovered round displays and demos to discover real world results and solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems.
It was the first time the biennial event, regularly held on campus branched out into the heart of the city thanks to Brunel’s newly sealed membership in the University of London federation.
The showcase brought to life Brunel’s brilliance at tackling real world challenges like green energy transition, ageing population and environmental sustainability from unimaginable angles.
“The day offered a brilliant spotlight on the breadth and excellence of the research environment at Brunel,” said Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Jonathan Wastling. “What makes Brunel so unique is the applied, collaborative and transformational nature of its research and education offering, and its strong international outlook.”
Guests were invited to delve deeper with a packed programme of panel question and answer sessions including a talk about constructive and destructive uses of satellite technology, which posed the question ‘who really owns space? Another asking whether all the hype about hydrogen power really stands up heard from experts at the Centre of Advanced Powertrain and Fuels, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; and Brunel Public Policy.
The Impact Awards ceremony — recognising research that’s made tangible difference to the world beyond Brunel — was next up in the impressive art deco Beveridge Hall. Professor Sarita Malik, the Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research Impact handed out awards spanning eight categories including civic engagement, environmental sustainability and global impact.
Professor Hannah Lowe picked up the Cultural Impact award for her creative writing, which explores multicultural Britain and its connections to the Caribbean and China. Prof George Fern and Dr Eleni Iacovidou were recognised for their sustainable homeware line, ReBorn team which transforms recycled plastics into durable kitchenware for John Lewis. And Dr Derek Groen, Diana Suleimenova and Yani Xue were noted for policy impact for their computer modelling simulating forced migration patterns. The UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and Save The Children both now use it for their humanitarian work.
“These awards serve as an important platform to celebrate the dedication, passion and resilience of our colleagues who consistently push the envelope, driving research that truly benefits society,” said Prof Malik. “They capture just a glimpse of the extensive research excellence and impactful contributions that define Brunel.”
Find out more about Brunel's research