Welcome the Knowledge Exchange Awards 2022

REACH-HF

Nominated by Dr Hayes Dalal. Partnered with NHS Lothian

Heart failure is a serious condition affecting over 900,000 people in the UK and NICE recommends cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for all eligible patients, however, annually less than 5000 participate in CR.

The Rehabilitation Enablement in Chronic Heart Failure (REACH-HF) research team has developed and evaluated an innovative programme of home-based CR for patients and their caregivers. NHS Lothian has trained over 300 health care professionals/facilitators in the pandemic to implement REACH-HF across the UK with a potential reach to thousands. NHS England has funded more training and in partnership with industry we have developed a digital version for future roll-out.

The Open Hyperinsulinism Genes Project

Nominated by Dr Sarah Flanagan. Partnered with Congenital Hyperinsulinism International and The Genomics Laboratory

Congenital Hyperinsulinism is a life-threatening condition where too much insulin causes dangerously low blood sugar. Genetic testing is required to guide medical management. Sadly, babies in resource-poor countries cannot access this.

To address these inequities, the team partnered with Congenital Hyperinsulinism International (CHI) and the NHS, National Hyperinsulinism Genetics Laboratory to establish a charity-funded testing service for those in need. Individuals were also invited to enrol in research to improve knowledge of the genetics and natural history of hyperinsulinism.

Through this initiative, they managed to turn the constraints of limited resources into an advantage for scientific progress, whilst improving the health of children worldwide. 

International Cyber Law in Practice: Interactive Toolkit

Nominated by Dr Kubo Macak. Partnered with The Czech National Cyber and Information Security Agency, The International Committee of the Red Cross, NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, U.S. Naval War College, Wuhan University

The Cyber Law Toolkit is an interactive online resource on international law and cyber operations. It responds to the urgent need to understand the legal constraints on cyber activities with international impact both in peacetime and armed conflicts.

The Toolkit was created in collaboration between the university, a government institution (NUKIB), and an international think-tank (CCDCOE), and with the support of an ESRC IAA. Since 2019, an international organization (ICRC), US Naval War College and Wuhan University in China have joined. The Toolkit has influenced State views and became a key reference point for governments, militaries, international organizations, and academics.

Global Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence 

Nominated by Professor John Heathershaw. Partnered with Global Integrity and Chatham House

The team published a major report on illicit finance from the former Soviet Union with Chatham House, The UK's Kleptocracy Problem (December 2021), which gained huge media coverage.

After the crisis in Kazakhstan (Jan 2022) and war in Ukraine, they were asked by government and parliament to advise on sanctions designations and reform, presenting evidence in parliament for the Economic Crime Act in April 2022.

They also submitted evidence to demonstrate on inadequate due diligence processes by universities with respect to foreign donations and drafted an amendment to the Higher Education Bill which was accepted by the government on 13 June, 2022. 

The Javelin Anchor Project – Anchoring Innovation for Floating Offshore Wind

Nominated by Dr Tessa Gordelier. Partnered with Reflex Marine Ltd

Floating offshore wind (FOW) is a vital technology enabling the net zero transition. Reflex Marine identified this burgeoning sector as a business diversification opportunity, and are developing a unique and cost-effective anchoring solution for a range of water depths, soil types and mooring system designs. 

They contacted the University of Exeter Marine-i team, seeking their offshore expertise to lead on:

1. A detailed review of the sector to understand existing market practices and future market potential. 
2. Development of an aerodynamic-hydrodynamic coupled model, to estimate the anchor holding requirements for future FOW deployments, informing Reflex Marine’s innovative Javelin design. 

Cineon and VITAL: Evidenced-based Training and Therapy using Immersive Technology

Nominated by Professor Sam Vine. Partnered with Cineon Training

The Virtual Immersive Training and Learning (VITAL) research team have been working closely with Cineon Training to develop innovative tools and techniques in the field of immersive technology and VR. 

The research interests and methodologies of the VITAL team (including perceptual psychology, human factors, and machine learning) have contributed to the development of novel data driven and evidence based tools. These products have created significant change and impact in a range of industries including health, training, and therapy.

The partnership has not only helped to secure competitive research funding, and a number of important publications (co-authored by industrial partners); but has also generated commercial success and a thriving technology company in the southwest.

ISCA Diagnostics and Bench-to-Bedside Diagnosis of IPA

Nominated by Professor Christopher Thornton. Partnered with ISCA Diagnostics Limited

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening lung disease of immuno-compromised patients responsible for over 300,000 deaths worldwide each year. Recently, it has recently emerged as a lifethreatening super-infection in critically ill COVID-19 ICU patients.

For these invasive fungal infections, a late diagnosis is invariably associated with a poor clinical prognosis. Based on expertise in generating bespoke antibodies to fungal pathogens, Professor Thornton founded ISCA Diagnostics Ltd., a spin-out company which has become a field leader in innovative diagnostic solutions for IPA and other invasive fungal diseases of critically-ill patients.

Evaluating and Maximising the Environmental Benefits of Seaweed Farming in the Southwest

Nominated by Sophie Corrigan. Partnered with Biome Algae

Following an MSc Marine Biology degree at Exeter University, Sophie is now in the third year of her PhD ‘Evaluating and maximising the environmental benefits of seaweed farming in the Southwest’, part-funded by SWEEP.

Her project aims to assess the ecological impacts of seaweed farming for species of commercial and conservation importance while working closely with farmers to develop sustainable, ecosystem approaches to this emerging UK aquaculture sector.

As Sophie’s first research experience of within a direct knowledge exchange context, she is already delivering significant benefits for industry partners, and is informing UK policy and best practice around seaweed farming. 

Better Health: Improving Diagnostic Test Strip Stability with Machine Learning 

Nominated by Sarah Fairbairn. Partnered with LumiraDx

The importance of fast, accurate diagnostic tests has never been more apparent than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working with LumiraDx, who have re-imagined the way point-of-care testing can be delivered with the LumiraDx Platform, Sarah Fairbairn's Masters project uses machine learning to extract the key contributors to strip stability over time; providing valuable insights to the LumiraDx team, enabling them to make design changes to the test strips.

Renewed Coexistence: Human Dimensions of Reintroducing the Eurasian Beaver into England 

Nominated by Dr Roger Auster. Partnered with Devon Wildlife Trust.

Through his PhD project, Roger has shown outstanding commitment and drive in the execution of his PhD which exceeded impact expectations. A key factor of success was the strength of the relationships built with external stakeholders, and the local community, enabling the effective exchange of knowledge and skills. Roger has published 11 academic publications and reports.

He led on innovative social research for the nationally recognised River Otter Beaver Trial which delivered a land-mark Government decision, and is informing wider UK beaver reintroduction policy and practice. Roger is set to become one of the future’s leading experts in the field of species reintroduction. 

Increasing Young People's Motivation and Engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Through Informal Science Learning Sites

Nominated by Fidelia Law. Partnered with The Thinktank Science Museum, Centre of the Cell, Florence Nightingale Museum, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Centre, EdVenture Children's Museum, and Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens South 

This collaborative project aims to understand ways to increase youth’s interest, motivation and engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through informal science learning sites such as science centres, museums, zoos and aquariums.

The sites we partner with provide exciting hands-on, experiential activities to spark interest and increase young people’s engagement in STEM, but not many research collaborations take place within these sites. Therefore, this innovative project brings together expert practitioners and researchers to better understand how to increase STEM engagement, especially among the underrepresented groups in STEM such as females in engineering. 

Seaside Follies

Nominated by Dr Tony Lidington. Partnered with Promenade Promotions Limited

This project trained a cohort of emerging local artists in seaside, al fresco performance and self-employment skills. It linked the University with Exeter College, Theatre Alibi, Teignmouth Town Council, Teignbridge Town Council, Exeter Quayside, and Customs House Trust, Exeter Culture and RAMM.

The project resulted in professional performance contracts for the participants and animated public space for the venues. 

The YouTube Regrets Project

Led by Dr Chico Camargo. Partnered with The Mozilla Foundation

The YouTube Regrets project is part of a pioneering set of projects designed to scrutinize and gather evidence on the harmful and dangerous nature of YouTube recommendations.

Working with 37,380 users, the team analysed tens of thousands of videos which, though recommended by YouTube’s algorithm, viewers regretted watching or being recommended to. This crowdsourced investigation used Mozilla’s Regrets Reporter, a browser extension for volunteers to report their ‘regrets’.

Chico Camargo coordinated a team of 41 student research assistants to analyse these regretted videos, finding that these YouTube recommendations are often harmful and misinformative, and that non-English speaking countries are hit the hardest. 

Será Deseada: A Graphic Novel About Abortion Access in Mexico 

Nominated by Dr Cordelia Freeman. Partnered with Fondo MARIA

SeráDeseada is a graphic novel created in collaboration with a Mexican reproductive justice organisation, Fondo MARIA, to share experiences of abortion access in Mexico. It tells the story of three women seeking to end their pregnancies at different time periods and in different contexts.

The purpose was to highlight the barriers faced by women in an accessible and engaging way, while being rooted in accurate and real experiences. It was funded by my ESRC New Investigator Award and forms one strand of my impact work on abortion access in Latin America (the others being podcasts and an interactive map). 

Antimicrobial Resistance: Research and Impact - Embedding Knowledge Exchange in Research Programme Development   

Nominated by Professor Will Gaze. Partnered with AstraZeneca

Resistance to antimicrobial drugs leads to treatment failure of infections which are predicted to be the leading cause of death by 2050, with a cumulative cost to society of $100 trillion (O’Neill, 2016).

The University of Exeter's microbiology group in Cornwall currently includes ~20 researchers working on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We lead global thinking on the environmental dimension of AMR and have developed a world-leading research programme built on Knowledge Exchange with industry and government, that has generated ~£6 M in external funding and informed the AMR agenda at international, EU and UK levels. 

COG-UK: Covid-19 Genomics

Nominated by Dr Stephen Michell. Partnered with Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

The COG-UK team at Exeter is part of a UK-wide collaborative network for Covid-19 genomics, research and training. This consortium, comprised of the NHS, Public Health Agencies, Wellcome Sanger Institute, and numerous academic institutions, has contributed over 3 million viral genomes (over 25%) to the global database of SARS-CoV-2 genomes (GISAID repository).

By submitting over a quarter of the world’s genetic information on SARS-CoV-2, this shared information has enabled hospitals, regional NHS centres and key stakeholders to develop focused diagnostic and vaccine capabilities on a global scale 

Environmental Education at a Time of Emergency - Developing a Robust Understanding of Behaviour Change in Practice

Nominated by Professor Stewart Barr. Partnered with Somerset Wildlife Trust, Avon Wildlife Trust, Devon County Council, Ocean Conservation Trust, Field Studies Council, Eden Project, Wild Planet Trust, Magdalen Farm, On The Hill and Carymoor Environmental Trust

Education at a Time of Emergency is a two-year ESRC-funded project involving research-informed workshops and mentoring to equip Southwest-based environmental education practitioners with tools and techniques from the social science of behaviour change in response to the climate and ecological emergencies. Our practitioner community has deepened their knowledge and developed their professional skills for engaging audiences with environmental issues. 

SWEEP - The South West Partnership for Environmental and Economic Prosperity

Nominated by Professor Ian Bateman. Various partners across the South West.

The South West partnership for Environmental and Economic Prosperity (SWEEP) is a highly successful and impactful research-focused partnership, transforming environment-led decision making in the region and beyond. The team are paving the way to deliver impact, and unlock the value of research to society, at scale.

The financial impact of SWEEP is remarkable, but is also contributing significantly to the development of ‘human and social capital’ (i.e. KE, skills, experience, attitudes, culture) in the region. The team believe that the approaches adopted, and the skills developed by the SWEEP team (including our partners) are truly pioneering, and the key driver for real world change.