Combined Universities in Cornwall launch new website
Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) has launched a new website, profiling more than 60 research projects currently underway at the partner institutions.
The new site features the CUC Research Programme, a £6m project that has received £4.5 million of investment from the European Social Fund.
The CUC is a partnership of six universities and colleges working together to give more people the chance to study in Cornwall, and to use university level education to help our businesses and communities to thrive.
Profiling past, current and future projects, the website includes details of the work researchers at the University of Exeter, Plymouth University, University College Falmouth and the European Centre for the Environment and Human Health are undertaking with local businesses to develop knowledge in themes relevant to the Cornish economy.
PhDs featured that relate to climate change and low carbon development range from promoting childhood wellbeing through the coastal environment with Global Borders and Exhale; to delivering zero carbon homes in Cornwall with Cornwall Council and Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust; to improving the flavour of cabbage grown in Cornwall.
In the digital economy field, researchers are working with 3D Mine Surveying Ltd to look into laser scanning and 3D modelling for accident reconstruction; with Tate St Ives to develop virtual curation technology; and with Poynton Bradbury Wynter Cole to investigate new design practices for architects.
Jo Garrett, student working with Falmouth Harbour Commissioners
Harriet Knowles, Maritime Sustainable Development Officer, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners told us: “The Commissioners are delighted to have a PhD student linked with FaBTest investigating underwater acoustics. The knowledge, understanding and expertise we can gain through this work is very important for the development of the marine renewable energy industry in Cornwall and further afield.”
Entrepreneurship and enterprise projects include research with WalkIt Cornwall into ways to enhance the entrepreneurial capacity of Cornwall’s small and medium-sized businesses using blue spaces such as rivers, lakes and the sea; and the development of mathematical modelling techniques to study seabird feeding behaviour, with Fourth Element.
As the projects progress, the Combined Universities will be looking at how the research can be exploited beyond those involved initially, to bring benefit to the wider Cornish economy.