University research projects hailed as most important of modern times
Release Date 17 June 2011
The University of Reading's groundbreaking work in a number of key areas has been chosen as some of the most important research projects of modern times.
This week's report, Big Ideas for the Future , published by Research Councils UK (RCUK) and Universities UK, pulls together the leading research projects currently taking place across UK universities.
The report features five of the University's world-leading research areas on personalising healthcare, new mechanisms to control thrombosis, prediction, a happy future, and the future of democracy.
Personalising healthcare: Professor Doug Saddy, from the University's Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics, and Dr Slawomir Nasuto, from the School of Systems Engineering, are developing ways of personalising physical rehabilitation and speech and language therapies. This type of therapy is increasingly delivered with the aid of computers using enhanced Human Computer Interfaces (HCI). The research team at Reading is developing Brain Computer Interface (BCI) techniques to record and interpret the brain activity of a person during therapy. The aim is to monitor the individual's attention, vigilance and engagement during therapy. This information feeds back to the computer which responds to this brain state information by tailoring the therapy accordingly, changing presentation or activity style or duration, or determining the need to take a break. Tailoring therapy will make it more effective and should increase the benefits felt by patients.
New mechanisms to control thrombosis: Professor Jon Gibbins at the University's Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research (ICMR) has announced a major breakthrough in understanding how to control blood clotting which could lead to the development of new treatments and save the lives of thousands of people each year. The research team has discovered that drugs that currently control cholesterol levels also reduce the blood clotting response.
Prediction: Dr Nicholas Klingaman, from the Department of Meteorology, is working with the Australian Government to improve predications of the impact of climate change in Queensland, an area which consistently experiences considerable fluctuations in its rainfall. Recent climate models have predicted that by 2050 Queensland could be from 30 per cent wetter to 30 per cent drier than today; this uncertainty makes it very difficult for governments and industries to take measures to adapt to climate change. By combining historical rainfall data with the latest, high-resolution models of the Earth's climate, far more accurate predication can be made, providing essential information for planning suitable climate mitigation.
A happy future: What makes us happy and how we can stay happy are questions we would all like answers to. New research led by Dr Marina Della Giusta, from the School of Economics, is hoping to understand the answers to these questions and help make society happier. The research is looking at the link between happiness and gender. Research to date has not considered the reasons why men and women experience differences in life satisfaction. Dr Della Giusta's research shows that both men's and women's life satisfaction is increased when in employment. Life satisfaction also increases with the number of paid hours worked.
Future of democracy: Dr Alan Renwick, from the School of Politics and International Relations, is looking at how democracy in the UK is evolving. Many ideas for democratic reform have been discussed over the last few years. But where are they heading and do they form part of any coherent pattern? This research seeks to answer these questions by looking back at and analysing debates about democratic reform in the UK since 1945. The project is finding a gradual shift from a collectivist to an individualist concept of democracy. This is demonstrated by a greater concentration upon individual rights, greater use of referendums, and growing pressure for recall and primaries.
Professor Gordon Marshall, Vice Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: "We are delighted that so many of our world-class research projects have been recognised and included in this report.
"The quality of the research at Reading is highly regarded and we are committed to enhancing our position as a leading research-intensive university. Areas of particular research strength recognised include meteorology and climate change, typography and graphic design, archaeology, philosophy, food biosciences, construction management, real estate and planning, and law."
Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: "The research that has taken place at UK universities has helped to change the world and the way we live, whether that's discovering DNA, inventing the world's first computer or finding cures for life-threatening illnesses. I would like to congratulate the University of Reading on their inclusion in the Big Ideas for the Future report, and wish them the best of luck with their research."
The publication of the report forms part of the second annual Universities Week, held this week, which aims to increase public awareness of the wide and varied role of the UK's universities.
To download a full version of the report, please visit http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/bigideas.
For more information on Universities Week at Reading visit http://www.reading.ac.uk/thevalueofuniversities/
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For more information please contact Rona Cheeseman in the press office on 0118 378 7388 or email r.cheeseman@reading.ac.uk