Annual Academic Year Review 2007-2008 (17th edition)
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- Navigate this page:
- 9.5 Economic and Social Engagement
- 9.6 University Infrastructure development
- 9.7.3 Plymouth Presentations
- 9.7.4 International Presentations
- 9.7.5 UN RCE draft application
- 10 Business Services 10.1. Overview
- 10.2. Support Mechanisms for Economic Social Development
- 10.2.2 Commercial Fellows Scheme
- 10.3.2 South East Knowledge Exchange (SEKE)
- 10.3.3 Product Design Centre (PDC), Hastings
- 10.3.4 Working With Others (WWO)
- 10.3.6 Contracts and Intellectual Property
9 Sustainability9.1 Introduction The University Sustainable Development Policy states that : ‘The University of Brighton will promote awareness of and engagement in sustainable development through its learning and teaching, research and community and business engagement activities, and will work towards the principles of sustainable development in all aspects of its own activity. The University aims to become a centre of excellence in building sustainability into research and teaching and learning and will work with local, regional, national and global bodies to help build sustainable learning communities’. During 2007-8, the membership of the SDPMG was expanded to include representatives of Faculties and key staff to coordinate or lead developments in Teaching & Learning, and Research alongside EFM for estates, BSO for Business and CUPP for Social & Economic issues. An overall Facilitator was appointed during the year to identify gaps and actively bring on board new suggestions. Purchasing and Biodiversity were also identified as areas needing specific programmes of activity. The involvement of staff with specific roles but linked through the SDPMG catalysed much activity. During the year each developed new activities, linked with other areas (e.g. estates with teaching), and by the end of the year had begun to consider which specific indicators and targets would be appropriate for future use. Continued consultation across areas at SDPMG meetings facilitated both cross-fertilisation of ideas and consolidation of the common SD principles, and these effects were rippled out to the increasing circle of staff involved in implementation and future planning for SD in each area. The presence of a Facilitator allowed the different pathways of SD developments to influence each other. Localised Environmental Action Networks were further developed at each of six campus sites which linked all categories of staff and students based on each site. . Efforts were also made to increase information internally and externally via the website, and on one campus site an “Awareness Week” was piloted. Overall, these have had the effect of bringing out ‘pockets’ of staff who are actively interested in SD for a range of reasons, and they are beginning to form clusters which influence others – a very important step in the embedding of SD in an institution. Further details of these activities, as well as others documented and discussed by the SDPMG, are given below. 9.2 Evolution of Environmental Action Networks (EANs) The Environmental Action Networks were re-launched this year to be sited more locally i.e. termly meetings on each of six campus sites rather than roving. It was also suggested that staff be given the opportunity to drive the agenda locally, if they wished. Representative Deans and the UCH Co-ordinator were asked to organise the meetings, open to all staff and students. In the first few months, EAN meetings were sporadic. However, one site emphasised the ‘grass roots’ approach and this resulted in some self-driving action groups being set up and encouraging reports going out to other sites. This success was reported back to the SDPMG who encouraged further support of the EANs via the SD Facilitator. Levels of activity and enthusiasm have been variable, but mostly positive and increasing. Some have become active centres for grass-roots action all year, with no abatement so far in enthusiasm. Others are in a transition state, having decided, after consultation, to become more self-driving. The Hastings site has arranged an SD away-day, and Grand Parade wish to plan their own SD Awareness Week next year. Cockcroft & Watts have spawned sub-groups such as for refurbishment of the Cockcroft Building, a Water group, and a recycling group. The EANs have provided spaces for all categories of staff and students to work together in developing their own ideas for their site. A very important ingredient for the success seen this year has been the strong feedback given to the EANs from the SDPMG or the SD Facilitator on issues that were brought up. For example, staff asked for more internal information; the websites were developed and information brought in summary form to the next meeting. This empowered the staff, so that by the end of the year many participating were offering to lead activities rather than request EFM or others to do them. It was thus suggested that feedback from future EANs go directly to the appropriate Deans (as representatives of the University Management Group) in future, to ensure that the ideas arefollowed up. Towards the end of the year one site specifically asked for school and other working-face level policies to have SD concepts incorporated so that they could refer other staff to them to raise awareness and enable each other to increase SD impacts; staff then became actively involved in having some of those policies changed when they were revised. Thus, there are clear signs that the EANs are playing an important role in overall increasing of awareness and embedding of SD in the University of Brighton. One potential barrier to attendance was removed when it was clarified that attending an EAN was considered university business, although attendees would need to seek permission from their line manager if they planned to attend EAN meetings within their normal working hours. 9.3 Learning and Teaching The policy objectives of encouragement, promotion and development of sustainability issues in learning and teaching are considered to be best developed within schools and faculties or as part of the CLT staff development remit rather than through any centrally imposed curricular requirement. (see the CLT section of this document for more details of some consequent activities). An MA in Sustainable Design was given outline approval this year, and work continued on course development for the BA Environment and Media Studies. An Architecture and Design ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ (ESD) international project (DEEDS) was nearly complete with major dissemination events taking place in September 2008. Building on earlier work in the School of Environment and Technology research on the status of SD within the curriculum of the Schools of Applied Social Science and Service Management was carried out and presented during the year by Jenny Elliott. Further developments for the coming academic year will be informed by that report. 9.4 Research Following on from last year’s very successful 2-day Research Forum, a further event was arranged this year. The aim was to showcase our activities to businesses and the local community and included an exhibition and an early evening event to attract guests from outside the university. The conference was free of charge to delegates. It has been noted that HEFCE’s recent Strategic Review of SD has implied that ‘…research which contains a significant element of work related to either or both of the natural environment and natural resources, PLUS a significant element of work related to either or both of economic or social issues’, might be considered SD research in the future. Consequentially, many current areas of research at the University would qualify, even though the researchers may not yet realise it. A review of the recent RAE submissions is thus under way, to identify contributions to sustainable development research and also to establish commonalities and opportunities to further enhance collaboration across the University. In the meantime, researchers working in separate areas of SD have had several opportunities to get to know each other via several university-wide initiatives such as ‘Sandpits’ and ‘Speed Dating’. As a result, several SD related cross-faculty proposals have been entered for consideration for seed funding from the newly established central research funding scheme. 9.5 Economic and Social EngagementSeveral useful reports of projects supported by BSO in SD were produced during the year, and it was noted that demand for such support from BSO was high. The majority of existing projects took place within the schools of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering and Technology. An Economic Engagement Strategy was developed towards the end of the year, including indicators that could be used to monitor future progress. The new Business and Community Committee would monitor the community aspect of SD activities. A CUPP project involving nine universities in the south east region was to look at the contribution of universities to the health and wellbeing of the wider community. CUPP and BSO continue to offer support to any staff interested in further projects, including information on available funding and deadlines. Further details of relevant CUPP activity are contained in the SPU report in this document. Emerging clusters of staff expertise in SD areas were reported. The potential development of an Environmental Technologies Centre of Excellence was highlighted, for which SEEDA funding had been identified. 9.6 University Infrastructure developmentThe reports from EFM, Residences and Catering and Finance contain details of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Policy in the areas of energy, waste management and recycling, transport and travel and purchasing 9.7 External Links9.7.1 HEFECProf Laing and Prof Harder each attended a HEFCE seminar on the Consultation of Sustainable Development in HE. A response to the Consultation was submitted. Rod Mallinder attended HEFCE events focused on estates (AUDE). Involvement with the HEFCE Salix revolving green fund was under consideration. 9.7.2 Green League 2008The Times Higher reported the results of The Green League in July 2008, which looked at institutional performance and commitment to environmental issues for 129 universities. The table was conducted by People and Planet. Eighteen institutions led the way with ‘First’ class, scoring 43.5 or more out of 60. Twenty four achieved a 2:1 scoring 35 to 43, thirty seven achieved a 2:2 scoring 27 to 34.5, 25 achieved a third scoring 20.5 to 26.5, seventeen failed (scoring less than 20) and ten did not have enough information to be ranked in the table. Brighton ranked 35th with a 2:1 and score of 37/60, which is a significant improvement on last year’s ranking of 50th and a 2:2. Brighton scored well on Environmental policy, Fairtrade status, recycling, water use and carbon emissions per head, but received only moderate marks for environmental auditing and energy sources. For ethical investment we lost out on any marks, notwithstanding our explanation that we do not ‘invest’. The SDPMG is currently considering having Environmental Auditing carried out next year, which, combined with the publication of an Ethical Investment Policy would increase the ratings further. 9.7.3 Plymouth PresentationsThe University of Plymouth holds the SD Centre of Excellence in Teaching & Learning, (CETL) funded by HEFCE, and is hosting a major conference in September 2008 on Education for Sustainable Development for Universities to share their learning and success. Brighton has been invited to make 10 different presentations involving five staff, a student and an alumni artist, most of which are reports on activities initiated by the formation of the SDPMG and its implementation of the SD Policy. Raising Staff Awareness of SD Issues: Engaging University Staff Creatively Grass-roots growth via Action Networks - Workshop Student Champions – a project in preparation for 2008/9 “Points of View” – a 6 minute film/animation Student Volunteering in the Community: Sustainable Development Placements ESD in the Curriculum: the use of curricula review for developing curricula and capacity at the University of Brighton Measuring SD in Higher Education An overview of recent SD central-led initiatives at the University of Brighton Increasing Householder Recycling: a social and economic SD project Values-based indicators for Civil Society Organisations 9.7.4 International PresentationsRod Mallinder presented at an international conference in Baltimore to Directors of Estates on activities at the University of Brighton. Various researchers from the university gave international presentations in their respective specialist fields. 9.7.5 UN RCE draft applicationVery close to the first-stage deadline of July 14th, the University learned of an opportunity to apply to the United Nations for consideration as a lead organisation in a Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). After preliminary consultations with a limited number of internal and external stakeholders it was decided to submit a draft proposal, to be followed by more detailed consultations over the next six months, to earn acknowledgement for the increasing number of ESD projects being undertaken by partners throughout the SE region. The proposal is for the University of Brighton to lead partners such as local authorities, SEEDA, other universities, businesses, community groups, schools and museums which are interested in increasing the variety and impact of ESD projects in the SE region. If acknowledged, the Centre will be known as the “Brighton to Oxford UN Regional Centre of Expertise”, joining 55 other Centres worldwide, all of which have extended networks. This will provide many opportunities for the University of Brighton, but much more developmental work still needs to be done. 10 Business Services10.1. OverviewThe Business Services Office (BSO) has a core remit to deliver on the economic and social engagement aims of the university, as detailed in the existing Commercial Strategy and expanded in the aims of new Corporate Plan (2007-12). BSO is a resource available to all members of staff, students and alumni who seek advice on pursuing business opportunities and research collaborations with industrial partners and is a one-stop-shop identifying appropriate internal and external resources. In 2007-8 activity was supported by funds won under the Higher Education Innovation Fund Round 3 (HEIF 3) and a range of other funds including competitively won tenders, partnership funds and commercial contracts. BSO is focused on developing profitable partnerships with industry, partners and the professions and to contribute to the university’s target of 7% annualised increase in commercial income. BSO is comprised of a team of business development managers (BDMs), project managers and related team members. The team develop networks and partnerships in particular sectors and geographies and focuses on defining and promoting the university’s commercial offerings. The following sections will document support mechanisms for economic and social engagement, specific initiatives and specialist services managed/delivered by BSO. 10.2. Support Mechanisms for Economic & Social Development10.2.1 Commercial Action Fund (CAF)In 2007-8 BSO continued the CAF to provide financial investment to support commercial evaluation, expansion and development. £109,779 in CAF funds were awarded to support a range of projects originating from 4 of the university’s 6 faculties. CAF also received a record number of applications in 2007-8, representing an increase of 60% on the previous year. 10.2.2 Commercial Fellows SchemeLaunched in 2006/7, the Commercial Fellows scheme has been developed to address the specific barrier of limited resources and provide an injection of funds to enable commercial activity. Funds are available to ‘buy out’ a proportion of an academic’s schedule to allow them dedicated time to develop a commercial offering. Three fellowships were awarded in 2007-8 (funds totally nearly £40,000) including the university’s first ‘social fellow’ (Jaime Kaminski from the Brighton Business School was funded to develop a training package for social enterprises). 10.2.3 Proof of ConceptBSO ring-fenced a portion of its HEIF3 allocation to provide proof of concept funding for early stage business ideas, providing financial investment in the development of new technologies, market analysis, prototype development etc. A total of 13 PoC awards were made to the Schools of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Science, Environment & Technology and Architecture & Design totalling £144,000. 10.2.3 CommercialiSECommercialiSE, a collaborative partnership of eleven universities in the South East provides an integrated commercialisation framework of funding and support, which comprises a proof of concept fund, the seed fund, business training, mentoring and the Executives' Register (which is managed by the University of Brighton). This Register matches experienced executives with early stage technology and knowledge based businesses and spin-outs. BSO has supported sending several academics on external training and was successful with 3 funding bids with Proof of Concept awards made to the Schools of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Science and Environment & Technology totalling nearly £150,000. 10.3 Specific Initiatives and Services BSO manages and delivers a range of specific initiatives and specialist services including ProfitNet, the South East Knowledge Exchange, Working With Others and beepurple. Additionally all intellectual property and collaborative contracts are handled by BSO with specialist legal in-house legal personnel. 10.3.1 ProfitNetProfitNet is a successful programme designed by the University of Brighton to engage business owners and managers to support their management skills and business development needs through monthly learning networks. In 2007 ProfitNet had almost 500 owner/managers signed up to the programme. There are a total of 28 regional groups covering 12 business sectors. Key achievements were: Extensive ProfitNet and University of Brighton brand recognition Promotion of CENTRIM and its offerings especially Managing Innovation two day short course Institutional reputation enhanced as deliverers of practical solutions and training Enquiries to deploy ProfitNet methodology in other parts of the world Development of a new product with licensing opportunity Adoption of the ProfitNet methodology by the University as its main engagement model to help deliver Aim 3 of the Corporate Plan Development of new business facing short courses 4 KTP successfully funded plus over 20 strong leads Research projects with two member companies The development of SmartNet programme - based on ProfitNet methodology and set up to support any group of people to benefit from Action Learning. The programme is being delivered by the School of Service Management and CENTRIM and is managed by BSO. The benefits of engagement are: Creation of long term collaborative university/business partnerships Marketing services such as KTPs, Case Studentships, student placements Latest and evolving market intelligence of business needs Developments of new products and services to meet company needs Access to substantial ‘home grown’ research community happy to collaborate Student placement opportunities Greater understanding by the companies of University offers ProfitNet programme has attracted substantial external funding from the start (over £ 2.7 million in Sussex alone) and in 2007 the total funding was over £1.2 million. 10.3.2 South East Knowledge Exchange (SEKE)SEKE is a joint HEIF project between University of Brighton, University of Portsmouth (lead) and Buckinghamshire New University. It brings together centres of excellence in Design & Creativity (Brighton), Rapid Prototyping (Buckingham) and Manufacturing (Portsmouth) to provide full product development expertise. The University of Brighton project team consists of 5 full time and 4 part time staff. Business actively supported 65 Entrepreneurs actively supported 30 Revenue from Design Services £28,000
In the School of Architecture and Design SEKE continues to support the sustainability group and 3D design course. SEKE are heavily involved with SETPOINT SUSSEX in school outreach in design and technology and also partners in delivering the Engineering Education Scheme (EES). Over 300 school pupils have attended SEKE led events and 20 teams attended the EES workshop in December 2007 (90 A level students, 20 teachers and 20 company engineers). 10.3.3 Product Design Centre (PDC), HastingsThe PDC was officially launched 25th January 2008 and offers facilities including a seminar room equipped with fifteen PCs supporting the latest design and engineering software and a workshop/office that houses the two desk/workstations, rapid prototyping machine and three-dimensional scanner. 50 companies and 25 entrepreneurs have engaged with the PDC via tours and demonstrations and attendance at training events. The PDC also manages and funds the manufacturing ProfitNet group in Hastings. SEKE, through the PDC, have developed with SETPOINT a design and technology group consisting of all the regions - with 10 secondary school benefiting from the initiative. 10.3.4 Working With Others (WWO)WWO is a personalised support and training programme for schools providing one year Membership giving access to training and support packages appropriate for primary, secondary and special schools alike. Core delivery to schools: secured contracts for 2008-09 totalling £76k with 22 schools, including Devon, Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex. Extending core WWO delivery to more secondary schools: schools implementing new secondary strategy framework approaching WWO for support with curriculum development and staff teams. Royal Academy of Engineering (Southwark and Lambeth 14-19 Diploma in Engineering): secured £18k for 7 days WWO delivery and support during September 08 - July 09. Canada: Following successful 12 month international pilot in setting for children of 6 months - 6 years old, now secured further 12 month contract Deep learning project - Cohort 1 of B&H schools so successful that now launching cohort 2 in Sept 08. Successful 12 month pilot with Pumpkin patch daycare centre Ontario - now in collaboration with early years advisers in district to bid for community funding and extend programme to further daycare centres. 10.3.5 beepurple344.5 hours of training were delivered to 164 people and 12 school-specific workshops held during 07-08 academic year in 9 different departments (e.g. Beepurple promotional talks or entrepreneurship & self-employment workshops) 2 entrepreneurship and self-employment workshops held at local FE colleges (Brighton and Hove City College and Northbrook College Worthing) Membership now stands at 1094 people, representing an increase of 17% from the previous year 16 beepurple workshops held during 07-08 academic year Business Development Manager (Entrepreneurship) accepted as an Entrepreneurship Education Fellow by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship 130 Innovation Award entries (30% increase from 06/07) with all judges commenting on the significantly improved content of short listed applications A new website (www.beepurple.co.uk) was launched In collaboration with Canterbury Christ Church University, beepurple hosted a best practice event Approval of proposal for university-wide entrepreneurship steering group External funding secured - HEEG Small Projects Fund for dyslexia-friendly planning toolkit (£6000) and HEEG sponsorship for Entrepreneurship Education conference (£3000) 10.3.6 Contracts and Intellectual PropertyThe Research and Commercial Contracts team maintains the university’s intellectual property portfolio. All research and commercial service contracts developed in the university are to be reviewed by this team for assistance in contract drafting, negotiation and protection of intellectual property. 5 IDR’s are in progress 6 patents have been filed during 2007/8 1 Community Design Application has been filed 159 contracts have been signed including: 52 Confidentiality Agreements, 17 Consultancy Agreements 14 Research Agreements, 6 Assignments, 4 Funding Agreements, 2 Licensing Agreements, 3 Collaboration Agreements, 2 Consortium Agreements 10.4 Further examples of Economic and Social Engagement activity Commercial/funding opportunities continue to strengthen in applied geosciences and environmental sustainability. Key successes with BDM involvement include the licensing of soil remediation technology (partnering with TUAT and Churngold Remediation) , consulting to Eastbourne BC on buildings sustainability, investment in bio fuels testing labs as a facility to other bio fuels companies. Additionally, collaborative projects are being secured on collection and processing of bio diesel from used cooking oil and the conversion of wood waste from municipal composting into fuel for bio mass boilers. Similarly in pharmacy and bio molecular sciences with projects such as the development of anti- MRSA hand cream (partnering with Guest Medical and FSE funding), testing of an oral hygiene device against bacterial growth (partnering with Denfotex) and development of novel islets for targeting type 1 diabetes. With strong BDM support the School of Nursing and Midwifery is securing further training, consulting and quality assurance contracts in both the public and private healthcare arena. New contracts in team development and research add to this increasing commercial portfolio. Additionally the introduction of the Brighton and Surrey ReQ mark (Recognising Educational Quality), supported by BSOs’ Commercial Activation Fund, offers quality approval for in-house education resources. On European FP7 funding our increased participation in Industry-Academia partnerships has resulted in three projects being funded with a total value in excess of €4m. Directory: reg reg -> Board of Historic Resources Quarterly Meeting 16 June 2016 Sponsor Markers Diversity reg -> Port Cambeltown dated 8th April 1830 Name reg -> Contents september 2009 I. Executive order reg -> In this issue reg -> Reginald irenee vachon reg -> Index for the Register Volumes 72-108 (1974-2010) reg -> A century of ufo sightings and Close Encounters in the Midwest Download 2.04 Mb. Share with your friends:
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