News

Chief Scientist Office funding for research on Obesity and Intellectual Disabilities

Professor Marie Reid, Professor of Applied Psychology, has been awarded almost £50,000 from the Chief Scientist Office to carry out research on obesity and intellectual disabilities. The project investigates the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities and their carers and will explore understandings of (un)healthy eating and activity and experiences of choosing and preparing food and activity. Recommendations for successful nutritional and activity strategies will be made based on the results of the research.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) award for collaborative research.

Audiology researchers, Pauline Campbell and Chris de Placido, were awarded £56,000 of research funding from the EPSRC for the project ‘MultiMemoHome: multi-modal reminders within the home’. This collaborative project with the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh aims for results that can be applied to a wide range of uni-and multi-modal systems and that can be translated into a wider range of products and services.

Bhopal Survivors Speak

Research led by Dr Eurig Scandrett, Media, Communication and Sociology resulted in the publication of Bhopal Survivors Speak (published by Word Power Books) in which survivors, many of whom are not literate, are given the opportunity to tell their stories in print through the translation of interviews. In addition to interviews with over 20 survivors and children of survivors, Bhopal Survivors Speak includes essays from supporters who have lived and worked with the Bhopalis since 1984.

FitVoice

Researchers in Speech and Hearing Sciences have developed a new technique to monitor vocal chords and detect when voices are under strain. This development has implications for a third of the workforce who rely on their voices for their jobs such as teachers and call centre workers. Dr Felix Schaeffler, Dr Janet Beck and Professor Bill Hardcastle have devised new software that can be used on the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch allowing workers to record their voices and submit them for analysis by experts. The experts can then provide feedback and advice on what can be done to limit future damage. A trial service of the new technology will be offered to teachers next year.

PhD Studentship Funding from MeetingMatrix International

Professor Joe Goldblatt, International Centre for the Study of Planned Events was successful in securing funds from MeetingMatrix International, the largest provider of software in the meetings and events field for a 3 year PhD studentship. As part of the studentship the International Centre for the Study of Planned Events will create the world’s first Meeting and Event Technology Laboratory to test new software and will contribute to its further development.

Professor Appointed to the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Prioritisation Panel

Professor David Finkelstein, Media Communication and Sociology has been appointed to the AHRC Prioritisation Panel, the overarching body responsible for final assessment and recommendations of grant awards distribution. He has also been reappointed as a member of the AHRC Peer Review College from 2009-2014.

Researcher Visit to Downing Street

In December 2009 Dr Robin Lickley, Reader in Speech and Hearing Sciences, was invited to a charity reception hosted by Sarah Brown in honour of the British Stammering Association (BSA). Dr Lickley has a long association with the BSA through his research on stammering.

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