Research Review launched at University conference on collaboration

The University of Derby’s annual Research Review 2014-15 was launched at this year’s Research Conference.

The review focuses on work that has made a significant impact – economically, socially, environmentally or politically - and highlights how applied research and employer engagement will play an immensely vital role in future successes.

More than 100 researchers from across the University came together to network and discuss the theme of collaboration and its impact, and to celebrate the recent success of the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), which ranked three-quarters of Derby research as ‘internationally significant’ and of ‘world leading standard’.

Paul Stein, Chief Scientific Officer at Rolls-Royce, delivered the keynote speech on the day (July 3), speaking of their long-term research plans and collaborations with universities across the world to deliver new strategies. He also praised the University of Derby’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering (IISE) for their focus on sustainable manufacturing and strong working relationships with local businesses.

Speaking after the conference, he said: “Our city needs a strong academic and research base and the University of Derby’s successful growth under Professor John Coyne has been a pleasure to see. The academic rigor and spirit of collaboration that was evident at the conference is an important element in that growth.

“Special praise should go to Professor Richard Hall who established IISE just over a year ago, and who has recently helped put Derby on the map with the well-deserved award from the Times Higher Education ‘Knowledge Transfer Initiative of the Year’ 2015.

“We hope to see IISE and the University of Derby go from strength to strength and welcome its new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kathryn Mitchell.”

Further presentations were delivered by Andrew Lewer MEP, who spoke about European Regional Development Funds and the Horizon 2020 research investment framework, and Louise Mothersole from InnovateUK who outlined what those Horizon 2020 opportunities might mean for the University and its partners.

Professor James Stubbs, researcher at the University of Derby, highlighted the importance of collaboration, speaking of his research project funded through Horizon 2020 on efforts to sustain weight loss amongst obese people.

Professor Richard Hall, Director of Research, Innovation and Impact at the University, said: “It was great to have Paul Stein as the keynote speaker at this year’s conference. His keynote on the global challenges of collaboration, and the impact of that, was most informative and insightful.

“The conference stimulated researchers to share their ideas and to think about multi-disciplinary and collaborative research opportunities for the future.”

Find out more about Research at the University of Derby.