UK Small businesses are benefitting from partnerships with researchers funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
A new publication, launched 27/02/08 by RCUK on behalf of all seven UK research councils, reveals that sectors as diverse as new media and landscape design have benefited from the Research Councils’ support for research in Universities and institutes.
At the publication launch of Impacts - Successful collaborations with Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Science and Innovation Minister Ian Pearson said, "Research Councils have a vital role to play in increasing the economic impact of the UK’s research base. They manage almost £3 billion of the total £6 billion DIUS research budget and therefore it is important they continue to increase the economic impacts of their work for the benefit of the UK economy and society."
Speaking on behalf of RCUK, Professor Philip Esler said, "Collaboration between researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises is extremely valuable to the advancement of research across the sciences and the arts and humanities. It allows the industrial partner to gain access to the latest technology, research developments and knowledge, while the academic partner benefits from working with business on real problems and develops greater business awareness. It also allows the Research Councils to maximise the impact of their investments for the benefit of the economy and enables a two way flow of ideas and knowledge."
Examples of successful collaborations between AHRC funded researchers and businesses include:
New Media: With funding from AHRC, Dr Tom Abba, from the University of the West of England, employed his expertise in interactive story-telling to help Licorice Films, a small independent media developer, to increase its capacity and take advantage of the growth in new media entertainment. Significantly, the funding route enabled by AHRC demonstrated a manner by which an Alternate Reality Game (ARG) need not rely on major film studio association to be successful. The project delivered a new ARG played over the internet by thousands of players and supplemented by real-life clues and events. Running over 8 weeks, and requiring the deployment of fictional websites and email communication to allow players to participate in the narrative, the project showcased Licorice Films’s capabilities, enhanced the company’s profile within an emerging field and increased the demand of its expertise.
Landscape Design: The company Timberplay, who provide good play environments for children, are working with Helen Woolley in the Department of Landscape at the University of Sheffield on a project (funded by AHRC, ESRC and the Technology Strategy Board) to revolutionise playground environments and promote the value of play in ‘natural’ environments. The project is facilitating expertise in landscape design being embedded into the company so that they can provide a complete playground design package, involving local communities and buyers in the design process.
Network Theory: The mathematical understanding of networks has increased dramatically over the past 10 years and network theory is being increasingly applied to practical problems in business and society. With AHRC funding, Dr Andrew Roach of the University of Glasgow, a historian with expertise in the analysis of historical networks from his work on medieval heresy and the early Inquisition, is working with Volterra Consulting, an economic consultancy dealing with practical business issues. Volterra’s Paul Ormerod believes that the companys new willingness to use ‘softer’ evidence has been decisive in securing business. Better knowledge of networks work can also lead to a better understanding of loosely connected terrorist organizations of the 21st century such as Al-Qaeda. Andrew is currently working with the Chief Economist to the Mayor of London on the long term economic impact of bridges across the Thames.
To download a copy of the publication as a pdf please see the RCUK website.
Media enquiries to:
Jake Gilmore, AHRC Communications Manager. Tel: 0117 987 6773 or e-mail: j.gilmore@ahrc.ac.uk.
Editors Notes:
Arts and Humanities Research Council - Each year the AHRC provides approximately £90 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from archaeology and English literature to design and dance. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,500 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. Arts and humanities researchers constitute nearly a quarter of all research-active staff in the higher education sector. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.