Engagement & Impact Awards shortlist announced

We are delighted to announce this year’s finalists in the Research Engagement and Impact Awards. We received 28 applications for the awards from a wide spectrum of research disciplines, making the shortlisting panel’s job a difficult one.

All the shortlisted projects will be showcased and the four winners announced at the Research Excellence 2022 event on Monday 13 June 2022 from 4pm. At the event, we will also award this year’s Early Career Output Prizes.

The eleven shortlisted entries are:

Changing perceptions of disability through film

Jenny Chamarette, Rachel Garfield and Henry Miller (Art)

A project designed to bring the work of experimental filmmaker Stephen Dwoskin to new audiences online is changing attitudes towards disability, accessibility, and art.

Discovering land for housing migrant workers in Kochi, India

Angelique Chettiparamb (Real Estate and Planning), with Anil Ravindranathan (SCMS College of Architecture), Rajan Chedambath (Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development)

By working with public policymakers in the Indian city of Kochi, researchers at Reading are improving access to affordable housing for the city’s migrant workers.

We Make Film: filmmaking, creativity and disability in urban India

Shweta Ghosh (Film, Theatre and Television)

An 80-minute feature documentary produced by Reading’s Dr Shweta Ghosh as part of her practice-led research is being used to highlight the urgent need for more inclusive and accessible filmmaking practices in India and beyond.

Rainfall Rescue: crowdsourcing for improved climate data

Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) and the Rainfall Rescue team

University of Reading researchers are harnessing the power of the public to put historical UK weather data back into the hands of the climate scientists who need it.

Reducing missed outpatient appointments and health inequalities through AI

Weizi (Vicky) Li, Nicholas Berin Chan and, Muhammad Dashtban (Business Informatics Systems and Accounting), with Eghosa Bazuaye, Toluwanimi Akinola and Kiki Kontra (Royal Berkshire Hospital)

An AI system developed by a team of Reading researchers is being used by the NHS to tackle health inequalities by reducing the number of missed hospital appointments.

Uncovering hidden stories from Oxford Road

Sally Lloyd-Evans (Geography & Environmental Sciences), with Alice Mpofu-Coles, Robyn Woronka, Toby Barlow

Reading researchers are working with local communities and artists to reveal and celebrate the heritage of one of the town’s most diverse and multicultural streets.

Improving ethnic diversity in higher education

Ciara McCabe (Psychology) and Kizzi Keast (UK Student Recruitment and Outreach), with Siyabend Kaya, Niamh Bull

Studies co-produced by Reading researchers with students from under-represented ethnic backgrounds are being used to support fair access to higher education.

Using cultural heritage to empower women and alleviate poverty in Jordan

Steven Mithen (Archaeology), with Professor Fatima al-Namari (University of Petra), Obyda Hummas and Nebras Maslamani (Future Pioneers for Empowering Communities)

Archaeologists from Reading are working with Jordanian partners to develop a new business in Faynan, southern Jordan, that is owned and managed by local women to generate income for the local community.

Reducing risk of glacial floods in Central Asia

Maria Shahgedanova (Geography & Environmental Sciences)

By repurposing a technical geo-surveying technique as a practical management tool, a team of Reading researchers are helping to mitigate the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change in Central Asia.

Destigmatising self-injury through art

Alanna Skuse (English Literature) and Tina O’Connell (Art)

Through a series of participant-led art workshops, Reading researchers are raising important questions about how we understand and talk about self-injury.

Tackling air pollution through citizen science

Hong Yang (Geography & Environmental Sciences) and Marta O’Brien (Technical Services)

Researchers at Reading are helping communities to breathe healthier air by equipping schools and families with tools and skills to identify and tackle air pollution.

If you would like to attend the Research Excellence 2022 event, please RSVP before 6 June.