Research project from Bangor University celebrated as Big Idea for the Future

Research selected for leading national report  

Groundbreaking work from Bangor University has been chosen as one of the most important research projects currently taking place in universities, with the publication today of the Big Ideas for the Future report.

The report, which is being jointly published by Research Councils UK (RCUK) and Universities UK, pulls together the leading research projects currently taking place across UK universities. Research from all fields, including science, social sciences, engineering, the arts and the humanities, were eligible to be included and a project submitted by Bangor University was selected for inclusion from hundreds of submissions. The report is narrated and backed by high-profile celebrities such as Professor Lord Robert Winston, Dr Alice Roberts and Professor Iain Stewart.

Bangor University’s project looks at health, with researchers seeking to identify ways of preventing, delaying or reducing the severity of age-related disability. In doing so, they aim to promote the independence, well-being and quality of life of older people. The study will give evidence of how people can integrate healthy behaviour into their daily lives, especially in old age, and how this can be maintained. The results of this research will be used to advise decision makers and people working with the elderly about ways of maintaining and improving well-being later in life.

Professor Rick Rylance, Chair Elect of RCUK said of Big Ideas for the Future: “Research has an impact on all our lives. Whether it is a breakthrough in experimental science, or an invention that makes new things possible, or a project that leads us to understand better the strengths and weaknesses of our society, research is the key to the UK’s growth, prosperity and wellbeing. Big Ideas for the Future showcases just some of the excellent research being carried out in Wales’ universities that achieves these aims. It is vital we continue to support the talented individuals whose work makes a real difference.”

Professor David Shepherd, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at Bangor University: “The research undertaken by Bangor University is helping us to understand age related disability and also ways to prevent and reduce its severity. This research is certainly something which will prove extremely useful for decision makers and those working with elderly people in helping to make a real difference within our society. I would like to congratulate the team at Bangor University on their inclusion in the Big Ideas for the Future report, and wish them the best of luck with their research.”

The publication of the report forms part of the second annual Universities Week, which takes place from 13-19 June 2011, and aims to increase public awareness of the wide and varied role of the universities in Wales and across Britain.  Universities Week looks at the many different ways in which universities affect all of our lives — from supporting the economy, to working within local communities, to looking at how their research programmes could change our futures. Hundreds of events will be taking place around the country open to members of the public, as well as high-profile media coverage and activity across social media networks.

To download a full version of the report, please visit http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/bigideas.

For more information on Universities Week, visit www.universitiesweek.org.uk and to show your support, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ukuniversities.

Publication date: 16 June 2011