Inspiring research celebrated at USW Engagement & Impact Awards 2024

30 October, 2024

A group photo of all the 2024 Impact award winners

The University of South Wales held its Engagement & Impact Awards on Thursday 24 October, in celebration of collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and partnership working and the impact of that work on our communities and wider society in Wales, nationally and internationally.

The fifth awards saw Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research & Innovation, Professor Martin Steggall, welcome guests, including shortlisted nominees and their collaborative partners.

This year, 35 entries were received from a wide spectrum of disciplines and 19 were shortlisted. The shortlisted projects address some of the most significant challenges facing society today, from improving diagnostics to detect infectious diseases, to enhancing healthcare practice, patient care and safety, and from tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, to driving business innovation and entrepreneurship, and supporting Wales’s transition to a greener economy.

Professor Steggall said: "At USW, research and innovation is everyone’s business. Our vision is clear, we want to maintain and develop our internationally excellent research capabilities and focus on solutions to problems impacting society and the economy.

"The wide range of these projects demonstrates our position as a university that is professionally driven and actively engaged with business and the community. By prioritizing partnership and collaboration, we are able to boost the prosperity of our region and nation by driving economic growth.”

Awards were presented in seven categories. The winners were:

Impact on Crime, Security and Justice

Hannah Coombs: Driving Change and Influencing Policy and Practice in Policing

To complete the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programme for new police recruits, student officers are required to produce an Evidence Based Research Project (EBRP) on a topic related to operational policing. Application of these research projects has improved policy and practice in USW’s partner forces as graduates use the knowledge and best practice gained from their research projects in their day-to-day policing roles.

The exterior of the front of the B Block building at Treforest Campus in Pontypridd

Sustainable Environment Impact

Jon Maddy: Net Zero Industry Wales

Research by the USW Hydrogen Centre, within the Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC), is helping to decarbonise the heavy industry, transport, and energy sectors, and deliver our net zero goals. The centre plays a pivotal role in Net Zero Industry Wales, supporting Wales’s transition to a greener economy.

The exterior of the front of the B Block building at Treforest Campus in Pontypridd

Impact on Health & Wellbeing (Joint winners)

Prof Linda Ross: Preparing Health Care Practitioners for Spiritual Care

USW's research to address gaps in spiritual care education for nurses and midwives led to the development of the Spiritual Care Competency (SCC) Framework. Implemented in Welsh universities and adopted in post-registration programmes across Europe, the framework has influenced policy changes and healthcare practice improvements internationally.

Dr Tom Owens: Concussion in Sport – Improving Player Welfare

Sports-related concussion affects thousands of people around the world annually, representing a significant public health concern. USW's research into the long-term effects of concussions in sports like rugby and football have driven policy changes, increased awareness, and enhanced player welfare.

The exterior of the front of the B Block building at Treforest Campus in Pontypridd

The exterior of the front of the B Block building at Treforest Campus in Pontypridd

Impact on Creative Industries

Huw Swayne: Wales Screen Academy

Collaboration between USW and Screen Alliance Wales has increased local Welsh talent and diversity in the film and TV industry through outreach in schools, FE Colleges, community centres and venues including workshops, masterclasses, and student and staff placements.

The exterior of the front of the B Block building at Treforest Campus in Pontypridd

Business Innovation

Dr Adam Jones: Novel Technique for Surface Roughness Analysis of Fly-Fishing Lines

Leveraging USW’s expertise in photonics and electronics, working in partnership with Airflo Fishing Products Ltd and Applied Automation Ltd, the project addressed longstanding technical challenges in fly-fishing line production thereby producing a superior product, reducing downtime, streamlining quality control, and reducing operational costs. The work has garnered interest from other industries, highlighting its broader potential.

The exterior of the front of the B Block building at Treforest Campus in Pontypridd

Civic Impact

Joanne Bowring: South Wales Civic Engagement Partnership

The South Wales Civic Engagement Partnership (SWCEP) is enhancing civic engagement and societal impact within the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) by increasing capacity, fostering cultural change, and raising educational aspirations among marginalized communities. As the first regional civic partnership in Wales, SWCEP's innovative approach is being considered for replication in other regions.

The exterior of the front of the B Block building at Treforest Campus in Pontypridd

Engagement for Impact

Dr Simon Newstead: Welsh National Framework for Social Prescribing

Work by the Wales School for Social Prescribing Research (WSSPR) has standardised social prescribing terminology, aligning language used in practice with policy and legislation. It has informed the Welsh Government's National Framework for Social Prescribing (NfSP) and attracted national and international interest.

The exterior of the front of the B Block building at Treforest Campus in Pontypridd