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RESEARCH AT QUEEN'S 2OI6-2O2I
Queen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Table of Contents 02 03
Mission
Contents
To be distinguished by our academic
strengths and recognised globally
for the social, economic and cultural
benefit we deliver through our research.
Research Strategy 2016-2021
04 Introduction
06 Research Success
08 Research Horizons
10 Research Strategy 2016-21
12 People
15 Research Organisation
16 Interdisciplinary Research Priorities
18 Global Research Institutes
20 Pioneer Research Programmes
22 Impact
26 Partnerships
28 Global Connections
30 Postgraduate Research
31 Enablers
Queen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Pro-Vice-Chancellor’s Introduction 04 05
"Building on our disciplinary excellence,
we have established interdisciplinary
Global Research Institutes and Pioneer
Research Programmes which bring
researchers together to tackle some of
Introduction
the greatest global challenges of our age.
" Excellence in research and innovation,
and making a positive global impact,
are central to what we do at Queen’s
University Belfast.
This publication provides As the results of REF 2014 The work illustrated in the
an overview of the world- demonstrate, Queen’s following pages is testament
leading research that takes has both breadth and to the outstanding calibre
place at Queen’s and the depth of research quality. of researchers at Queen’s,
impact it is having around Building on our disciplinary our strong and growing
the world. It highlights not excellence, we have network of partnerships with
only the scale and profile of established interdisciplinary industry and other research
our research at present but Global Research Institutes organisations, and the vitality
also our commitment to be and Pioneer Research and relevance of research
recognised globally for the Programmes which bring across the University.
social, economic and cultural researchers together to tackle
benefit we deliver through some of the greatest global
our research. challenges of our age. Our
commitment to innovation
During the period 2016-21, is reflected in an environment
we are re-shaping the which encourages and
research landscape at accelerates translation Professor James C. McElnay
Queen’s through our from ideas to validated, Pro-Vice-Chancellor
ambitious vision for research, implemented solutions. (Research, Enterprise
innovation and impact. and Postgraduate Affairs)
Queen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Research Success 06 07
Research Success REF 2014:
Research Intensity describes the breadth and depth of
research excellence at an institution. It takes into account
8th in the UK
both the overall quality of research (as measured by the
Research Excellence Framework 2014) and what proportion
of the institution’s researchers are contributing at that
for Research level of quality.
Queen’s was ranked 8th in the UK for Research Intensity
Intensity following REF 2014, and performed above the sector
average in all of its disciplinary areas.
Top 1% £34.5m in IP 8th in the UK
of universities revenues for for Research Queen's Intensity
world-wide 2014-15, ranking Intensity
Sector Intensity
Average
Research
(QS world rankings 2015-16)
1st in the UK (Times Higher Intensity
Intensity
(HEBCI Survey 2016) Rankings based on REF 2014) 4.0
Perf ce and a,
Arts
Clin icine
m
Med
Dan ic, Dra
ing
ical
Pu alth ary
orm
3.5
He Prim
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y
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ph
so
ea ice
3.0
ilo
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lth s
P llie
Ph
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Ph rofe d H
ar ss ea
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or
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Al TOP ua
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fes Hea 2.0 sh rat
sio lth n gli Lite
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9th in the u rsi
ng 1.5
an
1st in the UK
Psy
world for 49% growth
Psy cholog
Neu chiatry y,
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s
Mo guage istics
for Knowledge
ros
cien and
1.0 La Lingu
n
international
TOP
in research ce
5 and
research Transfer Partnerships grant awards Agricult
u
0.5
Veterina re,
collaboration with business ry
Food Sc and
1 ST TOP Education
5
(2010-11 – 2014-15) ience 0
(Leiden Rankings 2015) (Innovate UK 2016)
1
Earth Systems ST
Anthropology
& Environmental and Development
Sciences Studies
istry Socio
Chem logy
TOP
5 So
and cial W
Over 75% of ic s So ork
hys
Awarded our 1,700 people P cia
lP
olic
research assessed
y
6th Queen’s employed tic
a l P
In olit
as “world-leading”
a St ter ics
m
Anniversary in 47 active he ces
t ud na an
a ie tio d
ics ce
M ien s
or “internationally
na
at en
Sc TOP l
Prize in 2015 spin-out 5
rm ci
fo r S
La
excellent”
In ute
w
companies
Ma emi nica al,
an omp
(The Royal Anniversary Trust)
Ch ha tic
gin ct nd
En nufa cal a l,
rin g
Bu nage
ee urin
Ma dies
C
d
u
Stu
sin
(REF 2014)
Me ona
g
ic
Geog nmental
ess ment
Envir s and
Engin lectron
r
Stud eology
Met eering,
c
Ae
Arch
rials
Architecture,
and
Built Environme
l
and Planning
Engineeri ion
and llurgy
trica
ng
o
raph
Mate
ie
a
Construct
E
Civil and
Elec
a
and
y,
nt
Queen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Research Horizons 08 09
Research Horizons
Our researchers are working at the cutting
edge, applying their insight to ambitious
programmes with the potential to yield
world-changing solutions.
Leading the way in developing new Helping to answer difficult Using the study of
treatments for respiratory infections questions about our troubled past multilingualism to
Respiratory infections, available, putting lives at risk.
States, armed groups, An ESRC-funded project address some of
churches and large at Queen’s - Apologies,
frequently caused by drug- The €50m inhaled antibiotics
corporations have in recent Abuses and Dealing with society’s biggest
resistant bacteria, are the in bronchiectasis and cystic
main cause of disease and fibrosis (iABC) project, led
decades apologised for past
wrongs, albeit with mixed
the Past - is examining the
interplay between these
challenges
death in people with cystic by Queen’s and involving results. For victims, apologies three areas, using the island
fibrosis and bronchiectasis. 25 academic and industrial A major interdisciplinary
can be an important element of Ireland as a case-study. project in Modern Languages
Inhaled antibiotics are helping partners, is advancing the of dealing with the past. The research is seeking
patients live longer and enjoy development of inhaled is bringing together
However, in practice the to develop a bridge-head
a better quality of life, but antibiotics for patients linguists, literary specialists,
precise interplay between between law and other fields
infections are increasingly with these conditions. educationalists and
apology and accountability, including politics, philosophy,
resistant to the drugs reconciliation, truth and anthropology, history, neuroscientists to respond
legitimacy is little understood. sociology and psychology. to contemporary societal
challenges around identity,
diversity, social cohesion,
conflict resolution and health.
Driving industrial Queen’s involvement in a
new £4m research project
innovation in energy on Multilingualism, funded
sustainability through the AHRC’s Open
World Research Initiative
The challenges presented is seeking to raise the profile
by the demand for sustainable and visibility of Modern
energy technologies are Languages, to highlight
complex and require widespread the crucial role that they can
collaboration. A unique £10m Pioneering at the interface Accelerating the delivery play in today’s increasingly
industry-led research centre, multicultural societies, and
hosted at Queen’s, focussing between the social sciences of precision medicine to impact positively on
on the development of and electronic engineering motivations for language
learning in the UK.
innovative sustainable energy Treatments for disease improve cancer diagnosis
solutions will tackle these Digital technology plays an (LINCS) brings together the require the collection of through tissue imaging,
challenges. Matching industry increasingly prominent role Senator George J. Mitchell a large amount of tissue biomarker discovery, and
partners with the research base in our society, and online Institute for Global Peace, samples and the use of clinical trials. The programme,
in Northern Ireland, the Centre connectivity has significant Security and Justice and the effective techniques to being undertaken in
for Advanced Sustainable analyse samples. A national partnership with the Belfast
implications for our security, Centre for Secure Information
Energy (CASE) will address digital molecular pathology Health and Social Care Trust,
presenting opportunities Technologies (CSIT) to
three key themes and present research programme will enable researchers to
for enhancing surveillance, develop a distinctive cohort at Queen’s, generously identify specific types of
an evidence base to influence border security, and tackling of doctoral students working
government policy and position funded through the highly tumour, and then identify
cybercrime. However, with this across the boundaries of competitive Cancer Research which therapies are more
Northern Ireland at the forefront comes considerable ethical, their disciplines and opening UK Accelerator Award, is likely to be effective for
of the global sustainable legal, regulatory and technical up new avenues of enquiry conducting research to each individual patient.
energy market. challenges. The Leverhulme into the big questions and
Interdisciplinary Network on challenges presented by an
Cybersecurity and Society increasingly digital world.
Queen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Research Strategy 2016-21 10 11
Research Strategy
2016-21
Research Strategy
Mission: To be distinguished by our Creativity, Community,
Integrity
Priorities and
Cross-cutting Themes
Cross-Cutting Themes:
academic strengths and recognised
globally for the social, economic and We value creativity and foster We are giving particular focus Internationalisation Impact Environment
cultural benefit we deliver through an environment that facilitates to development in three key
and rewards innovation. areas affecting our research To consolidate our progress To expand the demonstrable To provide an environment
our research. landscape during 2016-21. in expanding international contribution that our which enables researchers
We contribute to the creation In support of these priorities, partnerships, funding and research brings to society by to access the facilities
To achieve this, we will work to create of an inclusive and enriching we are also expanding and recruitment and to increase increasing the involvement of necessary to achieve world-
intellectual community strengthening three cross- our international research class research outcomes, to
an inspiring research environment that which develops talent and cutting programmes of work.
stakeholders in the co-design
standing. We will deepen our and co-production of our exchange ideas and develop
nurtures talent and rewards outstanding enables collaboration across existing strategic partnerships research, helping to ensure connections, and to uphold
leadership and excellence. disciplinary boundaries. with international companies that the potential for impact the highest standards of
and academic institutions is embedded in research research integrity.
We undertake research in to achieve global impact projects at the earliest stages.
accordance with the highest and foster the next wave
levels of integrity. of key partners.
Research Strategy Priorities
INTERNATIONALISATION
CULTURE OF RESEARCH
ENVIRONMENT
PRIORITY 1 AMBITION
IMPACT
CONNECTING TO TACKLE
PRIORITY 2 GLOBAL CHALLENGES
PRIORITY 3 VIBRANT POSTGRADUATE AND
POSTDOCTORAL COMMUNITY
Connecting to Tackle Vibrant Postgraduate and
Culture of Research Ambition Global Challenges Postdoctoral Community
To create new opportunities and flexibility To reshape how we organise research, To create a vibrant and ambitious
for inspiring research leaders, both better supporting researchers to work with postgraduate and postdoctoral community
established and emerging, supporting one another and with partners outside across the University, involving significant
researchers to set and achieve the most academia to yield solutions to some of the increases in postgraduate taught,
ambitious research goals. We will support world’s most difficult problems. We will postgraduate research and postdoctoral
the next generation of world-class form Global Research Institutes in areas numbers in the years ahead. Underpinned
researchers to develop the skills to excel where we have a critical mass of world-class by our newly developed Graduate School
not just as individuals but as leaders and research and leadership to take on major and the Queen’s University Fellowship
motivators of others. We will also do more societal challenges. And we will support the Scheme, we aim to attract, retain and
to celebrate our research successes and emergence of novel, challenge-led research develop the very best of postgraduate
strengths, and will foster a more integrated collaborations by seed-funding three-year and postdoctoral research talent.
research culture, from postgraduate to Pioneer Research Programmes.
professoriate, through new networking
and mentoring initiatives.Queen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 People 12 13
People
Our research success depends on the talent,
creativity and commitment of our people.
Queen's is committed to the promotion of equality
of opportunity and to creating and sustaining
an environment that values and celebrates
the diversity of its staff and student body.
Professor Joanne Hughes Dr Denise Fitzgerald Professor Stephen Smartt
Returned over Joanne is Director of the Denise is a Senior Lecturer Stephen is Director of
Centre for Shared Education. in Immunology in the Centre the Astrophysics Research
95% of Her research concerns the for Experimental Medicine and Centre and holds an ERC
academic staff
role of education in divided is the recipient of a prestigious Advanced Grant for work
societies. In 2016, she was Wellcome Trust Investigator on superluminous supernovae
appointed the first ‘UNESCO Award. Her research focuses and their progenitor stars.
Recipient of the in REF 2014 - Chair on Globalising a Shared on how the immune system His team have leading roles
fifth highest Education Model for Improving helps repair the brain and in two large international
European Commission's Relations in Divided Societies’, reverse the damage caused projects to study supernovae
in the UK
Human Resources
highlighting Queen’s as an by Multiple Sclerosis and and the transient Universe:
Staff drawn from international leader in how other neurological conditions. the Pan-STARRS and
Excellence 70+
shared education can promote
reconciliation in divided
PESSTO projects.
in Research nationalities
societies.
Award across the globe
Committed to the
Equality Challenge Unit's
Athena SWAN Charter,
which aims to encourage and Member
recognise commitment to advancing of the Professor Dimitrios Professor Sinéad Morrissey Professor Ryan Donnelly
30% Club
the careers of women in science, Nikolopoulos
Sinéad is Professor of Creative Ryan holds the Chair in
technology, engineering, maths Dimitrios is Professor and Writing at the Seamus Heaney Pharmaceutical Technology.
12
which aims to increase Chair in High Performance Centre for Poetry, and was the His innovative research
and medicine (STEMM) and Distributed Computing first Belfast Poet Laureate. She on advanced microneedle
representation of
department women on boards
and a recipient of the Royal
Society Wolfson Research Merit
is the author of five acclaimed
collections of poetry. Her
drug delivery systems focuses
on improving therapeutic
SWAN awards Award. His research explores
scalable computing systems
collection Parallax won the
2013 TS Eliot prize and was
outcomes for patients. Ryan
was the BBSRC Innovator
including two gold, One of only for data driven applications shortlisted for the 2015 of the Year for 2013. He
eight silver and 9 holders of a and new computing paradigms National Book Circle Critics' also won the GSK Emerging
silver
at the limits of performance, Award. She was awarded the Scientist Award in 2012 and
two bronze awards power and reliability. 2016 E M Forster Prize. in 2016 was the recipient of
institutional the Controlled Release Society
Young Investigator Award.
SWAN awardQueen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 People / Research Organisation 14 15
Queen’s University
Fellowship Scheme
Research Organisation
The Queen’s Fellowship Scheme was launched in 2015 to recruit Research at Queen's takes place in Core
outstanding postdoctoral researchers from all over the world and Disciplines, Pioneer Research Programmes
accelerate their careers at Queen’s. The new Queen’s Research and Global Research Institutes.
Fellows are a global cohort, having relocated to Belfast from as
far afield as Luxembourg, Canada, Australia and the USA. Each of these involves collaboration between researchers
from all stages of the research career path, from postgraduate
to professoriate, and links with partners at other institutions
Fellows have been appointed to each of the three faculties of the University. and outside the academic world.
These prestigious positions will allow Fellows to concentrate on their research while
developing rounded leadership skills through tailored career development training.
The first cohort have joined the University for a period of four years, after which,
satisfying relevant criteria, the Fellows will be offered an academic position. As well
as generous terms of employment and a competitive salary, Fellows will have access Excellent research conducted
to funds to assist with start-up activities for their research of up to £40,000. by researchers working in
Some representatives of this first cohort are profiled below.
a range of core disciplines is
the foundation for our research
success, as demonstrated
through the results of REF 2014
Our Global Research
Institutes bring researchers
from different disciplines
together on a scale that
enables them to address
major societal challenges
Core
Disciplines
Dr Julie M. Norman Dr Christoph Engl Dr Gosia Swadzba-Kwasny
Julie is a Research Fellow Christoph is a Research Fellow Gosia is a Research Fellow in
at the Senator George J. in the Institute for Global the School of Chemistry and
Mitchell Institute for Global
Peace, Security, and Justice.
Food Security. His research
aims to find solutions to major
Chemical Engineering. Her
research in Green Chemistry
Global Pioneer
With an interdisciplinary societal challenges, such spans fundamental studies Research Research
background, her research
focuses on unarmed
as maintenance of global
food security, applying
on functional liquids, through
their applications, to process
Institutes Programmes
resistance in protracted state-of-the-art molecular optimisation and scale-up.
conflict, particularly in microbiology approaches.
Israel-Palestine.
Through Pioneer Research
Programmes, we stimulate
novel interdisciplinary
research collaborations to
tackle challenges emerging
on the global horizonQueen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Interdisciplinary Research Priorities 16 17
…help societies emerging
from conflict resolve lingering
Interdisciplinary
differences, and reconcile the
challenges of justice, peace
Research Priorities
and security?
…ensure everyone has
Our interdisciplinary priorities are shaped by our three access to safe, nutritious
Global Challenge Themes. Together they raise pressing food when the global
and difficult research questions which are motivating population is growing
our first cohorts of Global Research Institutes and faster than ever?
Pioneer Research Programmes.
How can we... …use advanced technologies
such as smart materials in
drug delivery to enhance
patient outcomes?
…tackle cancer, respiratory HEALTHY GLOBAL POPULATION
conditions and eye disease
that affect populations
INCLUSIVE, SECURE AND ENRICHED SOCIETY
worldwide, ensuring
advances can help fight …harness advances
in the fundamental
a range of conditions? TECHNOLOGY FUTURES
understanding of radiation
to improve treatments
for patients with cancer?
…better manage risks –
financial, environmental,
social – to protect the most
vulnerable in society? …create smart,
autonomous manufacturing
systems that will make
the factories of the future
more productive, resilient
…work with children and energy-efficient?
and families in targeted,
co-ordinated ways to
prevent social problems …bring together environmental ...deal with the challenges
that emerge later in life? and energy analysis with of collecting, storing, securing
emerging technologies to meet and analysing the torrent
the challenges of long-term of digital data we are
energy security? all generating?Queen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Global Research Institutes 18 19
Global Research Institutes
Our Global Research Institutes are flagships for interdisciplinary
research in areas of major societal challenge. This initial cohort
brings together a critical mass of excellent researchers from a
wide range of disciplines in world-class facilities to tackle some
of the greatest global issues of our age.
The Senator George J. Mitchell The Institute for The Institute The Institute of Electronics,
Institute for Global Peace, Global Food Security for Health Sciences Communications and
Security and Justice Information Technology
Questions about peace, peace-making with social The World Food Summit of The vision for the future is Cancer, respiratory enhanced interdisciplinary Our world has become Centre for Secure
security and justice transformation, giving 1996 defined food security to develop an Institute that conditions, eye disease collaboration and drive increasingly digitised, Information Technologies
dominate the discourse of attention to the need for as “when all people at is unique in its ability to take and diabetic vascular competitive programmatic affecting how we (CSIT), the Institute also
governments, international governance reform of state all times have access to a holistic approach to food complications cause ill research in partnership with communicate, manage our houses The Centre for
agencies and civil society institutions alongside cultural sufficient, safe, nutritious security challenges. health and early death the health and social care finances, access healthcare Wireless Innovation which
today. How can societies and social processes for food to maintain a healthy in ill populations worldwide. sector and local, national and even interact with is redefining wireless
emerging from violence healing in society. and active life”. At a time The Global Research Healthcare systems across and global pharmaceutical household devices. With communication and sensing
resolve lingering grievances? when the world’s population Institute will aim to the globe are struggling to and biotech industries. more of our information systems, and The Centre
How can they establish The Institute brings together is growing at a faster rate encompass cutting-edge cope. Queen’s is bringing held digitally and connected for Data Science, and
than any time in history, research activities right
peace on a daily basis? How Queen’s researchers from together its recognised The priority disease areas across multiple devices Scalable Computing, which
food security is a global across the spectrum of
can the competing demands fields as diverse as Politics, expertise in these four areas share many common as well as in the cloud, is addressing the challenges
challenge that pervades food security research,
of justice, peace and security Mental Health, Planning and human health, sustainable going beyond the ‘farm through the Institute for biological processes and significant new challenges relevant to the big data
be resolved? As a society Computer Engineering, with economic development, to fork’ strategy to span Health Sciences, which will pathogenic mechanisms, are emerging: how can phenomenon.
emerging from conflict, a cross-national focus, environment, and trade. the environment-farm- synergise basic science, and there are many we process, transmit and
Northern Ireland continues including traditional and food-health-economics translational technologies, examples of drugs secure the large volumes At this unique research
to experience these issues modern societies, and The Institute for Global interactome to form a clinical and population developed for a defined of information created by and innovation campus,
close at hand and can historical and contemporary Food Security at Queen’s unique brand that redefines sciences research across disease that led to advances citizens, enterprise and recently recognised through
offer insights of significant cases. Through research, was formed with the aim global food security the University. in other areas. Through government? And how can a prestigious Queen's
comparative value. education and civic to play a major role in research. focusing on common we accelerate the global Anniversary Prize and the
engagement, the Institute developing solutions to The Institute will have three areas such as immunology, adoption of resulting award of a rare Regius
The Institute responds to aims to make a difference the complex problem of operational centres: the innate immune responses technical innovations to Professorship, almost 200
the unprecedented global to the lives of ordinary delivering safe, nutritious, Centre for Cancer Research and aspects of infection, deliver economic impact? people, including academics,
challenge of building people who are struggling sustainable, authentic food and Cell Biology, the Centre the Institute will enable students, engineers and
a peaceful, secure and with the aftermath of conflict supplies to the world’s for Experimental Medicine a number of innovative The Institute seeks to business development
inclusive world, bringing by empowering them to population, and has become and the Centre for Public programmes in international transform Belfast into a staff, work closely with
together the unparalleled realise fairness, justice and internationally recognised Health. Together, these priority areas. world-leading centre of world-leading companies
expertise at Queen’s on tolerance. for its excellence in research centres will exploit our state enterprise and innovation. and entrepreneurs, taking
these issues. It is distinctive and teaching. of the art technologies Host to the award winning a business focused and
internationally in linking and purpose-built research UK national Innovation entrepreneurial approach
facilities to promote and Knowledge Centre to research.
for cyber security, TheQueen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Pioneer Research Programmes 20 21
Pioneer Research
Programmes
Our Pioneer Research Programmes enable
researchers to form novel interdisciplinary
collaborations to address emerging societal
challenges. Seed funding is provided to
support these collaborations to make rapid
progress over an initial three-year timescale.
Programmes may involve tens of researchers,
or a small number of experts each with Understanding what works in tackling Better understanding the links Using advanced
a distinctive disciplinary perspective, social problems through early intervention between risk and social inequality technologies to
depending on the challenge in focus.
Many of the social problems intervention and prevention Governments, companies, social inequality, taking as improve healthcare
observed in adults – such in public policy. This international organisations its starting point that risks outcomes
as unemployment, criminal programme seeks to look and public service providers of many kinds – financial,
activity, antisocial behaviour at evidence of what works – spend huge budgets on the environmental, health- Without a holistic, “molecule
and poor physical and mental for families, for schools, for analysis and assessment of related – pose the greatest to patient” approach
health – are inter-related and communities, and at the level known risks, and seek to threat levels to low income to the development of
have their origins in early life. of government policy – and develop new risk management and socially disadvantaged new healthcare products,
Acknowledging this, there is to use robust evidence to technologies and techniques groups. This programme medicines can be wasted,
an increasing international find innovative solutions to in an effort to manage those seeks to generate findings patients can suffer avoidable
movement toward early pressing social concerns. risks. A cross-disciplinary that will inform real-world adverse effects, or even go
group of researchers at risk management, developing untreated. Researchers at
Queen’s is investigating the new risk management Queen’s with disciplinary
relationship between risk and methods and solutions. backgrounds in Pharmacy,
Chemistry and Engineering
are working together to join
up the stages involved in
creating and delivering new
treatments: identification
of therapeutic targets, drug
discovery, materials science,
pharmaceutical formulation
and manufacture. This
Securing sustainable, approach aims to have a
major impact in the care of
affordable energy supplies all patients, but especially
the very young and old:
The Sustainable Energy
Research Centre will address Designing smart manufacturing Optimising treatment of the populations in which
medicines can present the
research questions associated systems for tomorrow’s world cancer patients using radiation greatest risk, but can have
with energy security, affordability maximum benefit.
and sustainability. It builds With rapid developments being addressed by this Radiation is one of our most radiation-matter interactions
on Queen’s excellent track in the Internet of Things programme is how to design effective tools in the fight and apply that understanding
record in renewable energy and its coming together fully integrated autonomous against cancer and also one all the way through several
conversion and storage, energy with manufacturing Cyber smart manufacturing systems of the most fundamental layers of increasing complexity
transportation, and sustainable Physical Systems, there is that can deliver a step change aspects of the universe we live from the atom to the
chemical manufacturing. This increasing awareness of the in capability, efficiency, in. The Centre for Advanced patient. Both experimentally
multidisciplinary centre will potential for embedding this flexibility, sustainability and and Interdisciplinary Radiation and computationally the
combine blue skies and applied technology in factories of the quality, ultimately delivering Research (CAIRR) at Queen’s researchers are using this
approaches and provide a critical future through cooperative more competitive and brings together researchers understanding of the chemical
mass of expertise to understand multi-robot and autonomous environmentally sustainable who collectively have the tools and biological changes
and tackle problems from supply systems. The challenge manufacturing. and capabilities to deepen our possible to devise new
to production in order to assess understanding of fundamental approaches to treat cancer.
the best technology design.Queen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Impact 22 23
Impact
Impact is the demonstrable contribution that our
research brings to society. This contribution may
be to communities, cultures, the economy or the Challenge Driving forward Challenge Nursing home
environment. It may enhance public policy or Outdoor air pollution is contributing London’s transport Prescribing in nursing homes care: from observation
to around 40,000 deaths a year in for older people has long been
services, or lead to improved health or quality of life. the UK (9,500 in London alone) –
future problematic. The overuse of to intervention
It may take place in any geographical context. mostly from vehicle exhausts. Air psychoactive medications that
pollution costs the UK £15bn per Technology at Queen's is are not clinically-indicated have
year, mainly from the cost of treating reducing this pollution. A been used to sedate and subdue Research led by Professor Carmel
respiratory diseases and heart collaboration between local older people. Such drugs lead Hughes in collaboration with
attacks caused by pollution. business Wrightbus (Wrights to complications, such as strokes, colleagues in the USA found
Group) and a Queen’s research if taken long-term. that 20% of elderly people
Challenge Elliott Review team led by Professor Roy in care homes were given
Douglas has resulted in the antipsychotic drugs compared
In 2013 the UK faced a food into the horsemeat design of the new eco-friendly to 1% who were living in the
adulteration scandal, whereby community. The research
products advertised as containing
scandal hybrid diesel-electric bus which
won the New Bus for London resulted in the development
beef were revealed to contain contract – ‘The Boris Bus’ – and implementation of the
undeclared horsemeat in Professor Chris Elliott became worth £230m. The full fleet Fleetwood Model, a pharmacy
proportions of up to 100%. the key expert in the British has twice the fuel economy of intervention service in which
The scandal resulted in major Government’s response to the a standard diesel and will reduce pharmacists work directly with
public concerns in the UK horsemeat scandal when he harmful emissions by 57% and nursing home staff, which
and Ireland. was chosen to head the most an astounding 230,000 tonnes has led to a reduction in the
thorough independent review of of CO2 every year. inappropriate prescribing of
food safety ever conducted in the psychoactive medications.
UK. The Elliot Review addressed
weaknesses in food supply
networks and recommended
measures to address them,
including a Food Crime Unit.
Queen’s Institute for Global Food
Security continues to develop
and implement new methods
of detecting multiple chemical
contaminants in food and feed,
one of the most pressing global Challenge Performance Challenge Investigating
problems for the food industry.
Children and adults with physical without barriers: For centuries the justice crime: geoforensics
disabilities and learning difficulties new musical system has struggled with at work
lack access to technologies and the certainty with which courts
equipment which allow them to interfaces for convict or acquit those accused
compose and perform their own of serious crime in the absence A geoforensics team, led by
music independently.
disabled musicians of eyewitness testimony or other Dr Alistair Ruffell, advises law
evidence. enforcement organisations
worldwide on improving
Challenge
Improving An exciting collaboration
evidence collection from
between Queen’s Sonic Arts
In 2012 2,644 children were looked
outcomes for looked- Research Centre and Drake the landscape at crime scenes,
Music - the “Big Ears project” - helping to gather, analyse
after in NI. This equates to 44 per after children has opened up new possibilities and test evidence during
10,000 children compared with 37 investigations. The team looks
per 10,000 in England. Looked-after for musicians with disabilities.
Professor John Pinkerton’s research Composition and performance at the geophysics of graves,
children do less well than their peers detection and excavation of
in social work and social policy has skills are enhanced by using
on a range of educational, health toxic waste dumps and the
changed the way in which policy adapted computer interfacing
and social outcomes. spatial analysis of criminal
makers and practitioners think technology, so that physical and
about the care system. The research cognitive abilities are matched to activity using GIS technology.
has helped to improve the stability an appropriate gestural interface, This unique approach has been
and quality of the placements allowing people with disabilities used in 70 serious crime and
provided to looked-after children the opportunity to express their 21 environmental crime cases.
and the support given to them creativity in an independent
when they leave care. and controllable environment.Queen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Impact 24 25
The UK’s leading institution
Kainos
for research commercialisation
Kainos Software Ltd, a portfolio
company of the University’s
Queen’s is a powerhouse of invention. We are the commercialisation entity QUBIS Innovative
highest-performing university in the UK for revenue Ltd, listed on the Main Market
of the London Stock Exchange micro-incubator
generated from intellectual property, and have created in July 2015 with a market
around 1,700 jobs through our spin-out companies. capitalisation of £225m. Spin-out company facility launched
Andor Technology in 2014 and
Kainos, founded in April
1986, is a high-growth UK- purchased for currently at
based provider of IT services, full capacity
consulting and software
solutions. Headquartered in
£176m by
Belfast, the company provides Oxford Instruments
approximately 730 jobs across
its seven offices. The majority in 2013
of these posts are highly skilled
IT professionals and provide
a direct benefit to the
local economy. Over
47 30 invention
1st in the UK
Kainos is also a global player
spin-out companies
and has offices in the US,
Poland, Republic of Ireland disclosures
for IP revenues, achieving and the UK. Its customers
each year
still active
£34.5m in 2014-15 include blue chip corporates
such as Diageo and Netflix; and
UK Government departments
1,700 and agencies. It is the UK market
leader in providing ERDM
jobs created solutions to the NHS. Four consecutive
Queen’s retains a strong awards from the
partnership with Kainos at a
prestigious MRC
£190m
number of levels, and continues
to supply high-tech graduates Confidence in
to the company and to work
current turnover on collaborative research and Concept initiative
development projects. worth £1.2m
£75m
total external
investment External
commercialisation
funds of
c. £10m
per annumQueen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Partnerships 26 27
Partnerships
£100m £75m 3,670 350
Queen’s researchers partner with organisations large
and small, local and international, and across the public,
private and third sectors. Working together to share in collaborative in contract consultancy projects successful Knowledge
knowledge, insight and facilities enables us to produce
research income research income supporting the Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
world-class research that brings greater commercial,
economic, societal and cultural benefits. (HEBCIS, 2010-2015) (HEBCIS, 2010-2015) development of leading to careers for
regional SMEs 400 graduates
(HEBCIS, 2010-2015)
Human
Agri-Food Fertilisation International
and Foreign and
Airbus Bullivant Warner and Embryology Partnership for IBM PathXL Kestrel Commonwealth
Taranto Biosciences Chilcott Authority Foods
Institute Microbicides Office
(HFEA)
Belfast Health Rolls Macrete Almac Seven Hillsborough
and Social SafeFood Royce Ireland Group GlaxoSmithKline
Technologies Independent Unilever Novartis
Care Trust Panel
Northern Public
Andor Johnston Analytics Hughes Novo
Ireland Health BBC NI Moy Park Thales
Technology Matthey Engines Insurance Nordisk
Assembly Authority
Northern Commission Ostick
Wrightbus Bombardier Randox Petronas Cirdan McAfee Catagen
Ireland Prison on Credit and
Laboratories Imaging
Service Unions WilliamsQueen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Global Connections 28 29
Global
Connections
50 projects 32 new 24th most 52.7% papers
co-ordinated Horizon international co-authored
under Framework 2020 grants university in
with institutions in
Programme 7 awarded to date the world
other countries
(Times Higher Education 2016)
Europe Americas Asia Africa
Providing the next generation Forging new academic Co-ordinating UK input Investigating sustainable Providing safer energy Reducing global crop loss
of secure cryptographic partnerships in Sao Paulo into the world’s largest solar intensification of agriculture through mercury-free in the developing world
through our new joint mobility and telescope. Queen’s Astrophysics in China, led by Professor natural gas as part of the through trials in Kenya of technology
solutions for ICT through the planning collaboration with FAPESP Research Centre is leading the UK Andy Meharg, and supported long-standing partnership between being developed by Dr Jonathan Dalzell
€3.8m SAFEcrypto (Secure Architectures (Sao Paulo Research Foundation). consortium developing cameras for with $1m of support from the Bill and
by the Newton Fund initiative. Queen’s ionic liquids laboratory,
of Future Emerging Cryptography) the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope Melinda Gates Foundation.
QUILL, and Malaysian petro-chemical
collaboration. The project is the brain
child of Professor Maire O'Neill (Centre
Understanding how the being constructed by the US National Tackling climate change giant Petronas.
built environment can Solar Observatory in Hawaii. Improving child growth
for Secure Information Technologies) and through Intelligent Grid
promote healthy urban Working with world leading outcomes. Further support from
involves multiple partners across Europe.
Leading participatory Interfaced Vehicle Eco-
living in Brazil through a major IT corporation Infosys the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
projects involving communities charging (iGIVE), partnering is supporting Queen’s researchers in the
Developing technologies 3-year inter-disciplinary project led by with Harbin Institute of Technology through our Centre for Secure Information
School of Biological Sciences to identify
in Belfast and favelas in Maré, Rio
to accelerate the remediation Professor Geraint Ellis and supported
de Janeiro, resulting in sound art and State Grid Electric Power Technologies (CSIT) to develop
the mechanism by which aflatoxin
by the ESRC/Newton Fund. solutions and intellectual property
of contaminated sites through the exhibitions at venues such as the MAC Research Institute in China
for combatting cyber-security threats.
exposure causes child stunting in
REMEDIATE consortium, a €3.7m Innovative Belfast, Espaço Ecco in Brasilia and the first two years after birth.
Training Network co-ordinated by Queen's. Tackling diabetes related Parque Lage and Museu da Maré in Rio.
The Network will recruit Early Stage blindness, as part of a €2.25m Preventing HIV AIDS through
Researchers from across Europe. US-Ireland R&D partnership, with trials with thousands of women in Africa
collaborators at the University of of a novel drug delivery device initially
12 cross-border collaborations Utah and Dublin City University. developed by Queen’s Pharmacy Professors
worth £7m under the Investigators David Woolfson and Karl Malcolm.
Programme jointly funded by the
Northern Ireland Executive and Science
Foundation Ireland.Queen’s University Belfast Research at Queen's 2016-2021 Postgraduate Research / Enablers 30 31
Enablers
Postgraduate Research
The Graduate School
Achieving the ambition of our Research Research Funding Portfolio (2010-2015)
The newly opened state of the art Graduate School, is home Strategy and continuing to deliver outcomes
to Queen’s postgraduate community. It is a central pillar that address global challenges requires a
of the University’s Vision to create a vibrant and ambitious Industry Other
strong portfolio of research funding and
postgraduate and postdoctoral culture across the University, ongoing investment in our researchers and 8% 2%
with significant increases in postgraduate taught, postgraduate the services and facilities that support them. EC Framework Research
research and postdoctoral numbers ahead. Since 2010 we have increased our research
11% Council
This extensively refurbished space has new meeting rooms, study areas and
social spaces, creating a vibrant hub for intellectual exchange and collaboration.
awards by 49%, including an 86% increase
in EU awards. We also have in place a major
29%
Integrating the needs of Masters students and PhD researchers, The Graduate programme of investment in research support
School caters for the differing needs of lab-based, international, full-time and
part-time students, as well as students with disabilities. and infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Queen’s Doctoral Training Centres Over the past decade we have invested almost £350m
in infrastructure initiatives to deliver a world class
environment for our staff and students. This has included:
The £11.2m Northern The new £8.1m Centre Queen’s is one of 12 The new £1m Leverhulme Charity Government
21%
Bridge project, funded for Doctoral Training in partner universities involved Interdisciplinary Network • The Centre for Experimental Medicine – funded by a (UK and EU)
29%
by the Arts and Humanities Photonic Integration for in the AHRC Centre for on Cybersecurity and £32m UK Research Partnership Investment Fund award
Research Council (AHRC), Advanced Data Storage Doctoral Training in the Society (LINCS), a • The Institute of Electronics, Communications and
is part of a national network at Queen’s, in collaboration Celtic Languages. Also collaboration between Information Technology, based in the heart of the
of Doctoral Training with the University of involving collaboration with the Centre for Secure Northern Ireland Science Park
Partnerships which brings Glasgow and funded by the BBC Northern Ireland, the Information Technologies • The award-winning McClay Library and state
together the cutting-edge Engineering and Physical National Library of Wales and the Senator George J. of the art Graduate School
expertise and exceptional Sciences Research Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Mitchell Institute for Global
resources of Queen’s,
Newcastle University,
(EPSRC), will address a skills
shortage in the photonics
Centre will provide funding
for 26 PhD awards across
Peace, Security and Justice,
will provide 30 doctoral
But we’re only half-way there. Over the next decade we will Professional support
invest at least a further £350m to meet our strategic priorities.
Durham University and their industry and develop new the partnership between students with three-year This will include: Researchers at Queen’s have access to a wide-range
partners for the training and products and systems to 2014 and 2019. The Centre scholarships over the next
of support services across Faculties and professional
development of outstanding address the expanding supports doctoral research seven years, working • New homes for the School of Law and School support units.
Arts and Humanities data storage needs of and training in Celtic at the interface between of Biological Sciences
postgraduate researchers. today’s fast-moving digital languages, literatures the social sciences and • Cutting-edge facilities for Computer Science In recent years the University has made a series of
world. and cultures. electronic engineering.
significant investments in its professional support
for researchers, which included the launch of a newly
formed Research and Enterprise Directorate in 2012.
The University will commit to further significant
investment in research support during the period
2016-2021, including specialist support in priority theme
areas and dedicated staff to support research impact,
application development and partnership building.Research and Enterprise Queen’s University Belfast University Road Belfast, BT7 1NN Northern Ireland T +44 (0) 28 9024 5133 E rpo@qub.ac.uk This publication is also available in alternative formats on request, including large print, Braille, tape, audio CD and Daisy CD.
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