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Images of Research 2022 Gallery

Click on the images to view a larger version as well as a short description of the research and its intended impact.

Connected World

<span class=heading><b>Addressing major challenges to minor safety</b> by Chelsea Jarvie</span><br />Children have become daily users of the internet, however, safeguarding controls to prevent them from being exposed to adult content are still vastly under par. Current online age verification technologies range from ineffective to being highly invasive to privacy; they can also prove costly for websites to implement. We are working to develop an effective, privacy-preserving and affordable online age verification solution to protect children online.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Chelsea Jarvie</span>

<span class=heading><b>Amplifying small-scale fishers� voices</b> by Philile Mbatha</span><br />Over-exploitation, pollution and rising sea temperatures cause fish stock to decline putting coastal communities at risk; and with limited access to resources and decision-making processes, small-scale fishers are often unable to properly voice their concerns. During the pandemic, the Strathclyde-led One Ocean Hub facilitated small-scale fishers’ participation in regional and international online workshops, and continues to advocate recognition of customary laws and implementation of international human rights law to advance communities’ wellbeing.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Georgina Yaa Oduro</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Georgina Yaa Oduro, Hub researcher, Bola Erinosho, Harrison Golo K, Hub researcher - all Cape Coast University (Ghana) employed</span>

<span class=heading><b>Big brother is watching</b> by Tiia Partanen</span><br />A data rig, moored at Crammond Island off the coast of Edinburgh, looms over an unsuspecting tourist. Beneath the towers, huge underwater tanks house passively-cooled, deep-sea data servers. In response to the development of ever more intrusive technologies and surveillance, this research is exploring an alternative future, where data is stored using sustainable technologies, internet activity is secure and anonymous, and the infrastructure of the internet is transparent and accessible.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Tiia Partanen</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: -</span>

<span class=heading><b>Breaking down barriers to inclusion</b> by Elita Chamdimba</span><br />This image symbolises the struggle of those with disabilities feeling trapped in a society that doesn’t fully accept them. With the highest prevalence of albinism in the world (40%), our research is focussing on Malawian youngsters with the condition. Through exploration of how they negotiate and cope with exclusion within their families, communities and systems, we aim to ensure greater inclusion for all within society by critically challenging existing disability policies and practice.

<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Elita Chamdimba</span>

<span class=heading><b>Female entrepreneurship: bridging the digital divide?</b> by Beverly Best</span><br />Whilst some progress has been made to level the playing field for persons in business, many constraints still exist, particularly to female entrepreneurs. This research aims to gain deeper insight into how tools provided by digital technologies – despite the digital gender divide caused by inherent biases – offer new and impactful opportunities to alleviate existing constraints among female entrepreneurs, with special focus on developing countries such as Latin America and the Caribbean. <br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Philip Wells</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Philip Wells</span>

<span class=heading><b>Raising Gaelic voices</b> by Ingeborg Birnie</span><br />With spoken Gaelic progressively in decline, we are exploring methods to increase its use. Based on our research, we have created a social space (the Taigh Ceilidh) to encourage users to speak Gaelic (as our findings show that people are more inclined to use the language when others do), make new connections with other Gaelic speakers and contribute their voices to the Gaelic social linguistic soundscape of the wider community.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Ingeborg Birnie</span>

<span class=heading><b>Small-scale fisheries: redressing the balance</b> by Elisa Morgera</span><br />“They are more concerned on [sic] exporting our resources out of the country, but we can’t make life for our own people here.” A worried Namibian fisherwoman describes the issues facing the small-fisheries sector. The Strathclyde-led One Ocean Hub is leading efforts to engage local communities in blue economy, education initiatives and capacity-building opportunities, aiming to redress structural inequalities and ongoing injustices related to ocean governance, whilst fostering sustainability, in Southern Africa.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Marly Muudeni Samuel / Eric Nathan</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Alex Kanyimba, Sirkka Tshiningayamwe, Martha Jonas and Tapiwa Warikandwa</span>

<span class=heading><b>Structural fingerprinting for live monitoring</b> by Sheik Abdul Malik</span><br />Inspection and maintenance of large man-made structures, such as wind turbines, can be a risky business for engineers. Following creation of a novel composite material (Chromatic carbon), that is anti-corrosive and highly conductive, we have developed this hybrid sensor strip that will evolve over time with any structure it is applied to. Enabling remote scanning, the developing fingerprint will provide live information about the current health and performance of each turbine blade.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Sheik Abdul Malik</span>

<span class=heading><b>Towards sustainable and safe aviation </b> by Yljon Seferi</span><br />Electric arc faults (high-power discharge of electricity between conductors) can develop in any electrical system. Generating heat, these faults can trigger dangerous electrical fires. In our quest to develop greener transport, we are studying the occurrence of these faults in direct current (DC) systems, aiming to assist industry in the safer development of aircraft electrification and robust protection technologies.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Yljon Seferi</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Richard Munro, Mazheruddin Syed, Patrick Norman</span>

Green Recovery

<span class=heading><b>Blooming biomass: cultivating contaminated land</b> by Benjamin Nunn</span><br />Biofuels are an increasingly popular alternative to fossil fuels, however, growth of plant-based biomass takes valuable land away from food production. Our research is exploring the potential to grow bioenergy crops, such as reed canary grass, on contaminated land. Using X-ray computed tomography, we are examining whether the contamination is simply dust on the plant or has been absorbed into the plant material from the land, aiming to inform pre-treatment options.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Benjamin Nunn</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: James Minto </span>

<span class=heading><b>Building children�s futures with nature in mind</b> by PHUONG TO</span><br />Earlier studies have determined that children who lack regular positive interactions with nature can develop apathy, disconnection and even phobias toward it. Working with primary schools in Glasgow and Vietnam, we are measuring children’s sensorial experiences of nature and applying our children-nature-distance (CND) methodology, as we aim to support school design decision-making to enhance children’s experiences of nature and promote improvements in their health and wellbeing.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 PHUONG TO</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Dr. David Grierson</span>

<span class=heading><b>From Redundancy to Recirculation</b> by Fiona Sillars</span><br />This image captures a before and after landscape, conveying the impact of remanufacturing and recirculation of wind turbine parts. Supporting the journey to a sustainable society, an innovative collaboration has been formed between the Advanced Materials Research Laboratory and Renewable Parts Limited. With many components finishing in landfill at the end of service life, recirculation of parts through remanufacturing is essential in creating a circular economy across the wind industry.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Fiona Sillars</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Renewable Parts Ltd (RPL)</span>

<span class=heading><b>North Sea revolution: creating greener homes</b> by Xiu Yan</span><br />INDU-ZERO is a collaboration between 14 European organisations from 6 countries that aims to transform approximately 22 million properties across the entire North Sea region. The housing, built between 1950 and 1985, is typically poorly insulated and energy inefficient. However, through the applied expertise of the consortium, a blueprint has been designed to develop a cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly technological solution to deliver sustainable, net-zero renovation packages.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Xiutian Yan/ Indu-Zero Project</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Provincie Overijssel, Ghent University, RCPanels, KAMPC, Johanneberg Science Park, Buro de Haan</span>

<span class=heading><b>Synchronicity and the Future Grid</b> by Jonathan Fallman</span><br />The UK’s net-zero climate commitments mean the grid must close remaining fossil fuel power plants and adapt to increasing weather extremes. To help enable this without compromising consumers’ stable power supplies, we must master the control of power plant synchronicity in a renewables-dominated grid. Our research uses computer simulations and machine learning to contribute to knowledge about synchronicity and blackout avoidance during disturbances, such as weather extremes and plant failures.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Jonathan Fallman</span>

<span class=heading><b>The beauty in what lies beneath</b> by Keith Torrance</span><br />A verdant landscape in miniature is revealed following dredging of sediment from the Caledonian Canal at Laggan. Usually bound for landfill, this joint project with Scottish Canals aims to re-purpose the sediment as building aggregate (such as for landscaping or a paving base layer) therefore reducing waste and the carbon footprint of maintenance dredging.

<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Keith Torrance</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: n/a</span>

<span class=heading><b>Unearthing the power beneath your feet</b> by David Walls</span><br />Could the discarded remnants of fossil fuel excavation now provide the answer to clean energy? Here, researchers are reading gas probe data prior to sampling and analysing water samples from disused, flooded coal mines, trying to determine those across Scotland with the greatest geothermal energy potential. As a low-carbon heating alternative for most building types, from housing to factories, this work has great potential to help us reach our net zero targets.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Michael Schiltz</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Michael Schiltz, David Walls, Sean Watson, Simon Walls</span>

<span class=heading><b>Untapped streams of energy</b> by Claire Kennedy</span><br />With the ever-pressing need to move away from fossil fuels, our reliance on renewables will greatly increase too. Hydropower was the first form of renewable energy but has been largely forgotten in the current energy mix of the UK. Our research aims to examine the full hydropower picture in the UK, determining how hydropower and tidal energy resources can be developed and sustainably exploited to meet future renewable energy demands. <br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Claire Kennedy</span>

Health Matters

<span class=heading><b>A step up for stroke rehabilitation</b> by Maisie Keogh</span><br />Stroke recovery can vary significantly, with many patients struggling with everyday tasks due to long-term restricted limb use. Our research could be the difference between someone regaining full use of a limb or not though. Through development of our real-time motion-tracking technology, used alongside a tailored rehabilitation programme, therapists will be able to review progress in detail with patients, and provide full consultation on any recommended therapy adjustments.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Maisie Keogh</span>

<span class=heading><b>After the devastation, alone again</b> by Trish Hafford-Letchfield</span><br />Trauma, grief, cumulative losses, stigma and shame of being bereaved by suicide, are further complicated by ageism for people in later life. Learning from those with lived experiences of suicide, we have developed guidance for policy and practice. This capitalises on people’s own knowledge and strengths to build capacity for living with traumatic bereavements and to access the support they need to tackle any isolation, loneliness, and physical and mental health risks that may arise.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Jolie Goodman </span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Prof Trish Hafford-Letchfield1 , Dr Jeff Hanna1 , Dr Evan Grant1 , Lesley Ryder-Davies1 , Dr Nicola Cogan1, Jolie Goodman2 , Dr Susan Rasmussen1 , Sophie Martin1 1 University of Strathclyde; 2 Mental Health Foundation</span>

<span class=heading><b>Commuting with health in mind</b> by Deirdre Harrington</span><br />Owing to the pandemic, the benefits to mind and body of physical activity and fresh air have become more widely appreciated. However, as we aim to get more people to change their commute from car to bike or walking, for environmental and health benefit, we must consider the subtle barriers that exist to those who struggle with mental wellbeing. Our research is exploring these barriers, aiming to inform local authority planning and intervention.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Deirdre Harrington</span>

<span class=heading><b>Crystallising solutions: improving medicine manufacture</b> by Samira Anker</span><br />Crystallisation is a key step in the transformation of drug compounds into an easily consumable form such as a tablet or inhalant. It is a complex process that, so far, is not well understood. Crystals are made from, and develop in, liquid solutions; our research is investigating the crucial effect of the solution surface that sparks this process, in our quest to design more effective medicines and their manufacturing methods.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Samira Anker</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Karen Johnston (supervisor), Jan Sefcik (supervisor), Paul Mulheran (supervisor), David McKechnie (collaborator)</span>

<span class=heading><b>Educational exclusion: tackling imposter syndrome</b> by Yvette Taylor</span><br />How do people come to feel like, or become, outsiders in institutional spaces and what can be done to create feelings of belonging and inclusion? Through exploration of how we navigate sameness-difference in institutional settings, including the classroom, our research aims to find ways to embrace the would-be ‘imposters’ by understanding how we share visions between our different realities and experiences.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Yvette Taylor</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Samia Singh - designer (permission received)</span>

<span class=heading><b>Game-changing therapy for the future</b> by Lewis Urquhart</span><br />Personalised patient therapies could aid healing, and recovery times. The PRIME-VR2 research project is reimagining physical therapy by creating a platform for treatment through a virtual-reality gaming space. Combined with an algorithmically-designed, bespoke gaming controller that is tailored around the therapeutic and comfort requirements of each individual user, PRIME-VR2 presents a tantalizing vision for the future of therapy.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Emanuel Balzan </span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Emanuel Balzan, Brian Loudon, Milos Stanisavljevic</span>

<span class=heading><b>Milk monitoring: averting the antibiotic crisis</b> by Magdalena Raykova</span><br />
Farm animals use the greatest share of antibiotics worldwide and inevitably dairy-producing animals secrete residues in milk. The disposal of contaminated milk directly exposes the surrounding environment to active drug metabolites leading to pools of antimicrobial resistance: an imminent global threat. Our research is focused on the real-time monitoring of antibiotic residues in cow’s milk to help farmers prevent contamination of clean milk and better manage the disposal of contaminated milk.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 I created the artwork but the image was taken by S</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Dr Andrew Ward (helped with ideas and edit of the story)</span>

<span class=heading><b>Organ Transplantation: life after death?</b> by Donna McCormack</span><br />Whilst the physical benefits of organ transplantation may be obvious, the lived experiences are more complex. Our research focusses on the relationship between deceased donor and living recipient, exploring how body parts relate to identity, what it means to die if parts live on, and how biotechnologies are altering these definitions and identities. Greater understanding of experiences could lead to better clinical practice, and reduced anxiety for those going through the transplant process. <br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Donna McCormack</span>

<span class=heading><b>The art of cancer research</b> by Domenica Berardi</span><br />An artistic representation of our research using metabolomics – a promising emerging technology – in studying breast cancer (black ribbons) and ageing (green to brown leaves). The phoenix rising from the central orbitrap (a highly-sensitive mass spectrometer able to analyse complex cells), symbolises our endeavours to study the metabolic features of aged and cancer cells to reveal key biomarkers in the pursuit of better targeted therapies.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Domenica Berardi</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Zahra Rattray, Nicholas JW Rattray, Layla R Alnoumas, Yasmin Hunter, Karim Daramy, Abdullah Alsultan, Patricia Kelly, Jene Hwei, Gillian Farrell, and Joshua Walker </span>

Shared Visions

<span class=heading><b>Constructing sustainable futures</b> by Runda Aduldejcharas</span><br />This Ban Khamsamakkee School building serves as a model for ecological building. Its hybrid structure, constructed from local, sustainable composite materials, was designed through the Towards Change programme, developed by University of Strathclyde. Working closely with local residents and academics, the project aims to assist communities to make best use of local materials and resources, enabling them to become self-sufficient whilst reducing their environmental impact.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Runda Aduldejcharas</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Dr Davide Grierson University of Strathclyde and co operate by Krasang Community, Bam Kham samakkee School</span>

<span class=heading><b>Harnessing diverse learning communities</b> by Jane Essex</span><br />Through collaborative, hands-on exploration of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) ideas, creative activities – such as story-telling and rock painting – and engagement with the local environment, Strathclyde’s STEM summer school provided an ideal environment for shared learning. Working with young people with additional support needs, we were able to gain the important perspectives of these citizens as they learned about our many research projects that aim to enhance environmental sustainability.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Gaston Welisch</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Gaston Wellisch</span>

<span class=heading><b>I, Victim</b> by Scot Dignan</span><br />Whilst the term ‘victim’, and their rights, is believed to be formally understood in public policy and written law, in reality, a victim may be confused by the many labels reflected back at them by our criminal justice system. Our research explores how prosecutors consider the victim at key moments of their decision-making during a criminal case, seeking to clarify our understanding of the victim as a legal concept within Scots criminal law.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Scot Dignan</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Courtney Dignan</span>

<span class=heading><b>Into the Dark</b> by David McKee</span><br />An international team of researchers sets out to measure light pollution in the Arctic Ocean in the middle of the polar night. Thinning and retreating sea ice, due to climate change, means the pristine darkness of polar night is being disrupted through artificial lighting. Our research aims to understand the impacts on the marine ecosystem, and how it is affecting animal behaviours from zooplankton to polar bears. <br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Michael O. Snyder</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Michael Snyder (photographer), Finlo Cottier (project PI), Jorgen Berge (international partner)</span>

<span class=heading><b>Marine engineering as nature intended</b> by Zhiming Yuan</span><br />Have you ever wondered why ducklings follow their mothers in a line? Studying this phenomenon, our research discovered they are riding the slipstream created by their mother and avoiding the drag waves, enabling them to keep pace. We are now exploring how these principals could be potentially applied to design modern freight carrying vessels, e.g. a water-train, to transport more cargoes with less fuel.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Dominic Spohr</span>

<span class=heading><b>Nothing is real: modelling uncertainty </b> by Solene Huynh</span><br />In weighing up the risks demonstrated by statistical modelling, it is important to understand the context of the predictions reached – as well as the influence of those ‘pulling the strings’ – in the decision-making process. Whilst this research specifically focusses on risk modelling for uncertainty in offshore windfarming, aiming to inform investment and job marketing decisions, it is very applicable to other industries and even the public in understanding modelling influence on policy decision-making.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 This is a photomontage of four copyright-free pict</span>

<span class=heading><b>Reflecting on modern leadership </b> by David Scott</span><br />Organisations are spending vast sums on ‘leadership’ training that is not producing lasting change, however, an under-utilised but already recognised aspect of leadership could be a game-changer. Through exploration of followership (purpose-focussed informal leadership), and the importance of stakeholder self-reflection, this research aims to provide organisations with a sustainable and replicable assessment model of potential stakeholder contributions to inform their strategic planning.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 David Scott</span>

<span class=heading><b>Stabilising radioactive environments for safer decommissioning</b> by Alexandru Golgojan</span><br />Working in a UV lab, we are trialling a chemical compound, hydroxyapatite – commonly used in medical applications – to shield concrete surfaces (cube) from radionuclides: atoms that emit radiation as they undergo radioactive decay. Our aim is to determine whether hydroxyapatite could be used to stabilise environments, such as reactor containment structures, to further improve safety for engineers during nuclear decommissioning, enabling the process to be done more quickly and cost-effectively.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Alexandru Golgojan</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Susan Cumberland</span>

<span class=heading><b>The all-seeing eye</b> by Stuart Bennett</span><br />Inspection and maintenance of nuclear reactor components is crucial and safety is, of course, paramount. Use of remotely-operated, radiation-hardened inspection cameras – shown here scanning the graphite surface of a fuel channel – is further improving safety. Our research has developed advanced image processing algorithms to enhance visualisation of these inhospitable environments, supporting the continued operation of a large, stable source of low-carbon electricity as part of the UK’s energy mix.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Stuart Bennett</span>. <span class=small>Collaborators: Graeme West (caption author and academic support), Paul Murray (academic support), Callum Douglas (industrial support), Michael Devereux (research co-i), Ian Lloyd (industrial project management)</span>

<span class=heading><b>Youth crime: crossing the divide</b> by Marijke Synhaeve</span><br />For decades, academics have studied the causes and consequences of violence in young people – from bullying to threat of weapon use – in a bid to identify strategies for prevention. However, their insights have only partially reached policymakers. Our research is bridging the gap between science, policy and practice, aiming to achieve better violence prevention policies and practices.<br /><span class=small>Image: © 2022 Marijke Synhaeve</span>