Researchers from across the University’s seven Colleges were invited to submit entries, with almost 90 received, spread over the ten award categories.

Entries were narrowed down to a shortlist of either three or four in each category.  Many of the research projects involve collaborative work, whether between researchers from different subjects, or between University experts and partners from other organisations.

The winners were announced at the ceremony, which was attended by researchers, representatives from our partner organisations, sponsors and other guests.  

The ten award winners, with the sponsors supporting them, are:

• Outstanding Research Collaboration (Geldards):  Cyberterrorism Project, College of Law and Criminology
• Research with Outstanding Global Reach (Finance Wales): In Vitro Toxicology Group, Medical School
• Outstanding contribution to public engagement (Broomfield & Alexander): Literacy through Classics, College of Arts & Humanities
• Outstanding Impact on Industry, Commerce and Innovation (Tata Steel): Diabetes Research Group, Medical School
• Outstanding contribution to the Arts, Culture and Society (Parthian Books): Disability and Industrial Society Project, College of Arts and Humanities
• Outstanding impact on health and wellbeing (Fujitsu):  Effects of prehospital ECG on coronary care, Medical School
• Outstanding contribution to shaping the University’s research community (IP Group): Shaping A-STEM's research community, Sports Science, College of Engineering
• Outstanding Research Supervision (Santander):  Professor Gareth Jenkins (Medical School) and Professor Stuart MacDonald (Law and Criminology)
• Rising Star – Postgraduate research (Biovici):  David Mair, cyberterrorism, College of Law and Criminology
• Rising Star – Early career research (Biovici): Dr Kelly Mackintosh, sports science. College of Engineering

Swansea University Vice Chancellor Professor Richard B Davies said:

"Our awards celebrate a wide range of the exceptional research and innovation taking place at Swansea University, and the impact this is having across the world.  Much of this is as a direct result of our collaborations with private and public sector organisations, and I’d like to thank all our partners.

We have been overwhelmed by the level of interest and response, and building on last year’s hugely successful Impact Awards, are pleased to report a total of 89 applications were received from all sections of our research community, each exemplifying the quality of our research and its potential to inspire.

Shortlisting award entries and picking winners across all categories was made extremely challenging by the high quality of applications received, a clear reflection of Swansea University’s recent recognition as the Welsh University of the Year!”

We are particularly grateful to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), whose funding for the University’s Impact Acceleration Account has helped further strengthen our impact culture, and to all of our sponsors, without whom, these awards would not be possible.”

Picture:  the Virtual Tudors website, which makes available images of artefacts from the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's shipwrecked flagship; an example of Swansea research and innovation, this project was featured at the awards ceremony

The awards are organised by the University’s Research, Engagement & Innovation Services (REIS) department.

REIS support University researchers with applications and funding needs, with its work areas consisting of:

• Research Development - identifying new funding opportunities
• Project Services - project support for the research community
• Commercial Services - contract management, IP commercialisation & supporting the implementation of the University's Impact strategy
• The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership - entrepreneurship development & SME engagement

A central part of REIS’s work is improving the impact of Swansea University research, using the Impact Acceleration Account.   These accounts were introduced by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in 2012 to provide flexible support for activities to accelerate and widen the delivery of impact from EPSRC-funded research

At Swansea, this has been achieved by prioritising research areas encompassing health, energy, manufacturing, computer science, technology development, and associated disciplines, transforming the impact of the University’s research.

Ceri Jones, Director of REIS, said:

"REIS is extremely proud to be hosting this year’s Research & Innovation awards. The quality, quantity and diversity of research from across Swansea University, being carried out at the highest possible level, never ceases to amaze. 

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those that have made this event possible, and look forward to celebrating success with colleagues and a wide range of partners from industry, academia, government and public institutions." 

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