University of Exeter Cross-disciplinary research for Discovery Science
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Biosciences
Abstract
University of Exeter will build on several existing initiatives focussed on inter- and transdisciplinary relationships to administer and manage this funding, including the experience of delivering this funding last year. Exeter has also developed several new initiatives to encourage cross-disciplinary research, such as the Exeter Research Networks, and managing opportunities related to these and initiatives such as Impact Accelerator Accounts will allow us to manage this opportunity to maximise its effectiveness.
Assessment will have EDI embedded in decision making and support will be provided to encourage participation of under-represented groups. Projects selected will be delivered by researchers from at least two disciplines who have not previously collaborated to pump prime new relationships.
Support will be provided throughout the projects to deliver their aims and a final meeting will be held to lay out next steps and recommendations.
Assessment will have EDI embedded in decision making and support will be provided to encourage participation of under-represented groups. Projects selected will be delivered by researchers from at least two disciplines who have not previously collaborated to pump prime new relationships.
Support will be provided throughout the projects to deliver their aims and a final meeting will be held to lay out next steps and recommendations.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Neil Andrew Robert Gow (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | The grant was used to fund six small-scale awards on different topics within the remit of the project. Topics included: - societal impacts of natural atmospheric plumes - use of microfluidics and machine learning technologies to identify how polymicrobial-phage interactions shape community structure - Mapping Historic Habitats - Reproducibility and Open-Source Software Workshops - Challenges and Opportunities for Urban Stormwater Infrastructure - Tackling plastic pollution through interdisciplinary research The projects have allowed creation of new collaborations with industry, government organisations and other academic partners, with opportunities for future data collection, networks, and production of preliminary results. |
| Exploitation Route | The variety of project topics and the connections made both within the organisation and with external partners will allow for future funding opportunities and collaborations to be generated, improving the liklihood of further impact in these fields. |
| Sectors | Environment Other |
| Description | Cross disciplinary workshop on bacteria-phage ecolog and evolution |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A cross-disciplinary and cross-campus workshop, focussing on methods to study bacteria-phage ecology and evolution in natural communities, was organised by Robyn Manley. We hosted 60 people on Streatham campus. Speakers and attendees came from all backgrounds: technicians, PhD students, lecturers and Professors. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Interdisciplinary workshop on volcanic and wildfire plume impacts |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 1-day interdisciplinary workshop on volcanic and wildfire plume impacts, with researchers from the university, the UK Met Office, and 4 external speakers. This improved Exeter's capability to work as a team to address the hazards and environmental posed by volcanic and wildfire plumes, as well as create or improve connections with external partners including the UK Met Office, Universities of Cambridge and Leeds, and AXA. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Mapping Historic Habitats one-day workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | • One day hybrid Workshop on Historic Mapping hosted at UoE. Participants from: University of Exeter, National Library of Scotland, British Library, ArchAI, Docuracy Ltd, University of Leeds, Cornwall Council,, University of Edinburgh, Devon Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Devon County Council. Brought together internal and external participants (from university, NGO, government and commercial sectors) that included historic map repository holders, university researchers, commercial AI researchers/companies and public sector users of historic habitat information. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Tackling plastic pollution through interdisciplinary research: one-day workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | During our one-day workshop attended by researchers from various disciplines (Biosciences, Business school, Engineering, Geography) and career stages (from PhD students to Professors), we used the group model building method to map the ingredients that are needed to address one of the most fundamental questions of plastic pollution research, how do we design and implement effective solutions? Since the workshop, the connection circles have been digitalised and mapped. It is hoped that these will form the basis of a publication, to which all participants will contribute |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Workshop on challenges and opportunities for stormwater practice and policy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The workshop was hosted in the University of Exeter's new Creative Quadrant (CQ) and centred on challenges and opportunities for stormwater practice and policy. 30 attendees from 15 different organizations joined in-person and online, including experts from consulting firms, insurance agencies, and the water sector. Participants first heard and discussed their thoughts on how key findings from the engineering and economics academic perspectives ascertained during the first workshop translated to their own needs and understanding, and how the needs for research and practice could be bridged. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |