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KnowledgeTransfer Partnerships Showcasewww.ktp.salford.ac.uk

KTP showcase KTP showcase

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The aim of this 15 month KTP was to develop and embed a validated methodology for the assessment of website usability for pre-school children (age 2-5) using eye-tracker technology.

BBC Children’s

Turn your ideasinto practice The University of Salford has always had a business focus, especially when it comes to Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).

Funded by the Technology Strategy Board along with other government funding organisations, KTPs are collaborations between academics, a company that needs their expertise and a graduate recruited to work on a project central to the needs of the business, and its development. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships bring together the key elements necessary for technology and knowledge transfer, offering unrivalled opportunity for quality, industry based development for graduates and at the same time, encouraging local companies and organisations to invest in research and development. A KTP enables them to improve their competitiveness, create new jobs and enhance the skills of the workforce. The University of Salford has been involved in KTP since its initial launch, as Teaching Company Scheme, in 1975. The KTP office was established in 2005 to provide a focal point for the promotion, development and support of knowledge transfer activities. Since then the KTP office has supported an increasing number of partnerships, focused on supporting the development of new partnerships in addition to delivering a top quality service to all our industrial, academic and graduate customers. I hope this insight into KTP projects we have undertaken, offered on these pages leaves you wanting to work with us, whether as a collaborator from business or industry, an academic or a prospective KTP Associate.

Janet Morana, Partnership Manager

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BBC Children’s

“From a teaching perspective I have a real world knowledge to share with students to illustrate theorectical

examples whilst being able to supply my department with student projects. ”

Prof Ben Light , Salford Business School

Helps identify new research themes, undergraduateand postgraduate projects

Can develop business relevant teaching and research material

Applies knowledge and expertise to important business problems

Contributes to the Research Excellence Framework

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“Pochins underwent a number of significant changes throughout

the lifecycle of the KTP. The programme offered enough flexibility to make sure that the

KTP addressed the change in business needs and at the same

time making sure that the project stayed within the boundaries of

the original aims and objectives. ” John Edwards, Finance Director, Pochins PLC

Provides the company with access to up to 67% grant

Aids businesses in the development of new and pioneering technologies

Provides access to expertise and innovative solutions to help business growth

Can increase companyprofitability

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Aiming to provide the social housing sector with advice and support on how to realise the retrofit agenda.

Fusion21

riginally formed by seven

Registered Social Landlords (RSL),

and now working with over

100 clients across the country,

Fusion21 provides a consortium approach

to procurement and training in Asset

Management. Fusion21 is a social business

which promotes collaboration to save money

and create jobs. Created with the aim of

structuring major planned improvement

programmes to deliver efficiency savings and

community benefits, Fusion21 has achieved

national recognition.

Working in collaboration with Dr Will

Swan, colleagues from the School of Built

Environment and Professor Stephen Todd,

School of Environment & Life Sciences, this

KTP aims to increase the number of RSLs

taking up the retrofit workstream, and

enhance the ‘density’ of coverage within

each RSL.

Developing Fusion21’s knowledge of both

the attitude of RSL staff and residents is

central to achieving good market penetration.

The programme for RSL stock will take place

in waves until 2050. The lessons learned

could be transferred to treating private sector

housing where the target is also to reduce

carbon emissions to zero.

Luke Smith, one of the KTP Associates, is

looking to develop a Knowledge Base toolkit

that meets the needs of a wide range of

clients. Through the work of the KTP, Luke

will develop a thorough understanding of

the current technologies and best practice

approaches; the market and potential

penetration; contextual information for stock

type, location and tenure.

The resulting structured evidenced-based

approach will provide each RSL with a

robust way of identifying the business case

for their retrofit and the issues that they

need to address at the ‘commit to invest’

stage. Solutions developed by Luke will also

have direct application to the private sector

housing stock, where individual occupiers will

be seeking independent advice and assurance

on the options open to them.

Understanding the motivations and attitudes

of residents who influence whether retrofit

opportunities are taken up and the degree of

this take up will enable Fusion21 to develop

a toolkit for RSLs that will help them increase

retrofit amongst their properties.

The factors influencing the likely uptake of

sustainable retrofit are not well researched.

To date, no RSL has undertaken a large scale

retrofit and so factors affecting success/

resistance from residents lack a cogent

evidence base.

The core challenge for Sharon Chahal,

the second Associate is concerned with

developing an evidence based approach to

support behaviour change. This range of

interventions, to be available to Fusion21

RSL clients will help ensure a more positive

and greater uptake by residents, of energy

efficiency measures.

The complexity of the retrofit agenda

incorporates a wide range of discipline areas

making it a challenging and interesting

problem for the academic team involved.

The whole area of sustainable retrofit is a

far-reaching issue which is still emerging and

there are opportunities for the academics

to learn and develop their knowledge in

this area.

For the team as a whole the KTP represents

an opportunity to develop partnerships

which will drive impact as well as longer-term

relationships around the agenda.

Dr Will Swan, identified the issue of retrofit

as an area of personal interest, based on

his work in built environment sustainability

issues, and specifically the social housing

sector. Stephen Todd’s, research includes the

development of renewal/upgrade strategies

for housing, this KTP will contribute to

this work.

Working alongside Stephen is Erik Bichard,

who is working on a research project testing

various behaviour change techniques to

influence tenants and residents to adapt

their homes in reaction to climate change.

Dr Angela Lee, Programme Director,

Architectural Design & Technology, School of

the Built Environment anticipates the project

will help the development of undergraduate

curricula and enable research on design and

innovation with construction SMEs.

Andrew Stunell, Parliamentary Under

Secretary of State for the Department of

Communities and Local Government came to

the University of Salford’s pioneering Energy

House and met Luke and Sharon to discuss

their KTP. In anticipation of the Government’s

Green Deal initiative the Minister heard

how Salford and its partners are conducting

research into fuel poverty and how to help

low income and vulnerable people overcome

fuel price rises and the effects of energy

inefficient housing.

Mr Stunell acknowledged the significant

importance of both KTP projects. “Over 40%

of the UK’s green house gas emissions come

from the built environment, so we must make

every effort to ensure retrofit schemes like the

Green Deal work, or the country risks losing

its battle against climate change.”

Following this successful visit, both Fusion21

KTP Associates were invited to meet the

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate

Change. He explained “Keeping homes

warm in winter and saving money on energy

bills are real life issues for people here in

Manchester and up and down the country.”

Sharon Chahal, “It’s great the Minister has

shown an interest in the work that both Luke

and I are involved in with Fusion21. Both

projects aim to provide the social housing

sector with advice and support on how to

realise the best possible outcomes from their

retrofit projects. This is a topic of real

national interest.”

O This is a topic of significant importance, for Fusion21’s clients, the University, the UK Government and everyone affected by rising fuel bills.

Over 40% of the UK’s green house gas emissions come from the built environment

Above: Fusion21 KTP Associates Sharon Chahal and Luke Smith with Andrew Stunell MP and Salford University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin Hall

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The aim of this 15 month KTP was to develop and embed a validated methodology for the assessment of website usability for pre-school children aged two to five using eye-tracker technology.

BBC Children’sThe Killgerm Group’s vision is to be the leading authority within the pest control industry throughout Europe. This is to be achieved through the increased knowledge and data that this KTP will bring.

Killgerm

ased in the UK, Killgerm has

subsidiaries in six EU countries,

the USA and China. It employs

some 150 people in nine

countries. The core business of the Group is

the manufacture and distribution of public

health pest control products to professional

users for the control of insects, rodents and

pest birds. Established in 1976, Killgerm

is known for being a leader in promoting

environmental and socially responsible

practices within the industry.

The research pertinent to pest management is

diverse and often difficult to distil. However,

the body of evidence-based research is

growing and needs to be interpreted and

presented in an accessible form. The aim of

this KTP is to ensure that research capacity

is embedded into the work of the company

and that the information needed to present

a clear case to local and central Government

departments and agencies about the need

for evidence-based pest management is

developed and maintained.

Killgerm’s strategic aim is, through this KTP

to develop new and better information

streams, data collection processes and data

analysis methodologies in order to bring

about changes in the provision of public and

environmental health. This KTP will allow

Killgerm to lead in this area, gain recognition

and raise the profile of the pest industry

not just in the UK but also within Europe.

Working in the commercial environment with

a small company and the need to bring the

project to completion in a commercially viable

manner will expose the KTP Associate to

practical assessments of important trade-offs

and decisions such as cost versus price and

impacts on gross profit.

This is a major development for the company

with the KTP Associate playing a central role

in the project’s success. Killgerm is looking

to strengthen its future management team

and views this KTP as an excellent way of

introducing new expertise in the areas of

Research and Development.

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The KTP will develop science based evidence and dissemination of information for government and industry, ensuring environmentally responsible promotion of the pest management industry.

he rationale was to help the BBC

better evaluate the effectiveness

of interactive content for the

pre-school audience. The effective

assessment of content for the very young

presents its own set of unique challenges.

Very young children find it hard to articulate

their opinions, making it difficult to capture

meaningful information. Developing and

embedding this new methodology could

enable the BBC to conduct better usability

assessments on interactive content. Some of

the work undertaken by Dr Stacey Birkett, the

KTP Associate, has led to the development of

a number of testing principles; the methods

used in this study and other usability projects

will help develop and shape testing methods,

standards and budgets.

Within the constraints of the timescale for

the project, Stacey succeeded in collecting

eye-tracking data from children using

different content (games and on-line menu

systems). This has allowed insight into what

eye tracking data can be used for with this

audience. Knowledge has been generated

and transferred regarding the utility and

limitations of eye-tracking in the context

of user experience research with children.

After six months it was agreed that setting

up an eye-tracking study and analysing

the data would be too involved to be

undertaken within the timescales of in-house

usability practices, and fundamentally the

methodology didn’t prove to be a useful

method with under six’s.

Therefore the emphasis was moved from

eye-tracking to other general methods

for testing children (from psychology

and usability literature) which have now

been successfully tried and evaluated in a

corporate environment, in some cases for

the first time.

The knowledge generated and transferred

by the KTP follows four strands:-

❚ General principles in conducting research

with small children to enable collection of

valid and unbiased results

❚ The knowledge of a suite of testing

methods to allow analysis of young

children’s engagement with media

❚ Understanding of the uses of eye-tracking

and other methods to allow producers to

know when to request eye-tracking data

from external usability agencies

❚ Guidelines for when to conduct usability

testing and what to do with

the results of testing sessions.

“Overall the KTP has deepened our existing

understanding of the role of user testing

in web development and production. It

has caused us to refine when and how we

test, and will help us make more informed

decisions around the internal testing and

external work we procure”.

Rachel Bardill, CBeebies BBC

“We have had the opportunity to disseminate findings through three conference posters; including one international conference which was also complemented by a published peer-reviewed extended abstract available online.” Dr Adam Galpin

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To develop an efficient, industry standard, user based methodology to enhance the development and assessment of foot skin solutions for prevention and healing.

Reckitt BenckiserWhen The Foundry identified a gap in the market for a new software application, they approached the University of Salford for help.

The Foundry

he Foundry Ltd is a UK top-50

design consultancy, providing

marketing communications

for a wide range of national

and international clients. Their idea was a

new online system that allowed businesses

to customise, design and print their own

tailored point of sale materials.

Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership

they hoped to develop a piece of packaged

software that could be easily reconfigured for

use by different brand owners. The challenge

was to create a generic system that was

still diverse enough to satisfy the needs of

radically different brands. During this project,

the process of developing advanced software

also provided the focus for upskilling The

Foundry’s staff and ensuring that future

information system developments within

the company are scalable, maintainable and

robust.

John Muirhead, KTP Associate, said: “The

key challenge was to develop a piece of

packaged software that could be easily

reconfigured for use by different brand

owners to support the delivery of their

specific point of sale materials and ancillary

items to their customer base. That meant it

had to be generic enough to allow multiple

reconfigurations to support radically different

brands”.

The working relationship between The

Foundry and their KTP partners has been

a great success. Kevin Murphy, Managing

Director says, “Working alongside the guys

from the KTP has been an absolute joy. They

have understood our business needs and

have helped John and ourselves every step

of the way, for us it has been the perfect

partnership”.

From this KTP John was given the opportunity

to present at a University Alliance Exhibition

that took place at the Houses of Parliament.

“I have certainly learned a lot through

the experience. The assertiveness and

communication skills have been great

things to develop – I am now President of

a Toastmasters public speaking club! The

management and leadership training I did at

the KTP residential modules was also really

good because I probably would not have

got that experience otherwise. They are all

skills that you normally learn on the job, so

getting them on the KTP has been great. The

best thing about KTP is that you still have a

strong link with academia – you haven’t had

to leave that world behind yet. Managing

the academic and industry relationship in

the early stages of the project is the key to

getting to grips with the whole project and

also knowing the module requirement early

on in the project.

If I was to do this project again the only

thing I would change is more planning at

the beginning, organising the work plan and

taking ownership and responsibility of the

project. This gives a KTP Associate a clear

understanding of how the KTP will work for

all stakeholders.”

John Muirhead, KTP Associate

choll, one of the powerbrands

of Reckitt Benckiser, has a

long history of developing

foot health products, based on

expert knowledge of the foot anatomy and

environment. Scholl prides itself on being the

leading foot health brand in the world.

However, in order to push the boundaries

of the products, specifically efficacy, Scholl

needs to also push the boundaries of

understanding of the feet to-date.

Working with the University of Salford,

Reckitt Benckiser identified an opportunity

to improve the knowledge of feet through

an improved understanding of foot skin. This

includes not only the general make up of

the skin, but the interaction between foot

mechanics, foot environment and foot skin.

The main challenge is to support the

development of a range of new products

from a sound scientific basis. Methods to

research foot skin are not yet established

and baseline data for many aspects that will

need to be investigated have never been

reported previously. Equally challenging will

be communicating the novel scientific results

in a manner that will be appreciated and can

be used for ongoing development by the

business partner, yet remain faithful to the

reality that this is emerging knowledge in a

‘virgin’ territory.

Specific knowledge challenges include:

❚ The design of a range of experimental

protocols, which will use the information

generated by laboratory based studies to

test products and inform future innovation

❚ Develop experimental conditions that will

mimic those of environments common and

unique to the foot

❚ Validation of existing measurement devices

and technologies used in skin research to

prove effective in measurement of specific

parameters of skin on the foot.

Footskin is an ill researched area and yet as

part of one of Europe’s largest schools of

Podiatry it is central to much of the education

business of the academic team.

The work is complimentary to existing

expertise and reputation in foot biomechanics

and is thus an obvious evolution for the

research group. Being little prior research

in this field there is a unique chance to

capture and lead on this niche area. Driving

innovations that reach practitioners and

consumers is likely to lead to disproportionate

impact from the research.

T S

The challenge was to create a generic system that was still diverse enough to satisfy the needs of radically different brands.

Driving innovations that reach practitioners and consumers is likely to lead to disproportionate impact from the research.

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Brook Manchester recognised the need to find ways of better engaging boys and young men in the maintenance of their sexual health; and saw targeted digital media as a potential mechanism for this.

Brook Manchester

he deployment of digital media

for sexual health education is

extensive. This KTP was different

because it developed digital

media based interventions embedded with

evaluation mechanisms in order to continually

assess the impact and value of such

interventions. As a result of this KTP, Brook is

seen as a leader in the sector; this will impact

upon their ability to secure new service

contracts in an increasingly competitive

environment. The KTP has enabled Brook

Manchester in the first instance to identify

and evaluate critical success factors in

its existing portfolio of work and in new

initiatives; enabling the service to design and

trial digital media initiatives to increase the

effectiveness of engagement with this very

specific audience of young people and more

so young men.

The work undertaken has contributed to the

development of a national Brook Strategy

for measuring and demonstrating the

impact of the work the organisation delivers

nationwide, utilising appropriate media

platforms and measurement tools.

The project has directly influenced and

changed the culture of Brook National

with regard to digital media and developed

expertise, knowledge and capacity within

the wider organisation. The KTP generated

evidence based digital media methods for roll

out nationally to enhance the way services

are delivered to young people using digital

media more effectively. These web based and

mobile phone based communication solutions

are more cost effective communication

mechanisms and have the potential to have

a direct impact on the value for money

contribution to future work practices -

giving the KTP a much broader value.

The innovative “Condom app” was one

of a suite of educational videos aimed

at increasing young people’s knowledge

around sexual health issues; in this case how

to use a condom safely. Integrated online

evaluation survey data, direct from clients,

collected on the IPod after viewing the app

provides an evidence base for practice that

is used to strengthen the impact of this

type of community outreach work within

funded contracts. Presented at the National

Innovation Awards, the app became the

spearhead in the development of national

digital media awareness within Brook.

Through the support of the KTP Associate

and academics, Brook Manchester has

been one of the key trial locations for the

organisational Outcome Star evaluation tool,

introduced by National Brook. This included

presenting it to the clinical staff; training

counsellors; and nurses, collating results

and presenting feedback to the national

organisation.

The KTP team has been involved in the

initial phase of exploring the application

and benefits of ‘virtual’ health. An extensive

research report on the use of IT in sexual

health, written by the Associate Cristina

Vasilica contributed to Brook being awarded

funding to implement an online platform to

deliver sexual health education, advice and

where possible contraceptive methods.

This will be an innovative way of delivering

online sexual health education, counselling

and clinical services led by nurses.

This has been an excellent practice based

research project. The team has been able

to engage in the development of research

through practice in the area of new media

artefact development (such as the iDemo

project) and through the development of

the evaluation tool kit. It is important to

note the iDemo project and evaluation tool

kits as pieces of research that are potentially

returnable in our REF submission. Practice

based research eschews a fixation with text

based outputs such as journal papers and

is seen as an equally important mode of

knowledge dissemination. The KTP work has

been presented at various workshops and

conferences in London - UK, Turku – Finland

and Tampere – Finland. The London and

Turku workshops were by invitation and

as a result of the KTP work that had been

undertaken.

The London workshop involved 70 academics

and sexual health practitioners as part of an

AHRC sexual cultures engagement event; the

Tampere event involved presenting our work

and acting as advisors to a new European

Union project team who were interested

in engaging young people for counselling

purposes via digital media.

The Associate and Prof Ben Light were also

invited to discuss the project on BBC radio

and the project also led to coverage for the

University’s research reputation via stories in

the Manchester Evening News, and on web

sites such as How-Do.

Prof Light and Paula Ormandy were

approached to work with the Lesbian and

Gay Foundation on a further project as

a result of their Brook KTP. For this they

obtained £103,000 funding from the

Department of Health’s Cervical Screening

programme in order to undertake a

demonstration project that would assess

and campaign to improve Lesbian, Gay

and Bisexual women’s experiences of and

up take of cervical screening (as a hard to

reach group). The project involved a survey

of nearly 1,000 women, focus groups and

a digital campaign. It has highly praised

by Professor Patnick – Director of the NHS

Cervical Cancer Screening Programme

and resulted in a round a 40% increase in

confidence and knowledge for women and a

51% shift in positive behaviour change.

As a result of the KTP with Brook Manchester

and subsequent projects Ben and Paula are

now in a position where they have a track

record in this area and are preparing further

research and knowledge exchange projects.

T

The KTP generated evidence based digital media methods for roll out nationally to enhance the way services are delivered to young people.

The challenge was to create a generic system that was still diverse enough to satisfy the needs of radically different brands.

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KTP helps establish the company as a market leader.

Dyer Environmental Controls

orking in collaboration with the School of Computing Science and Engineering, this two year KTP provided Dyer Environmental

Controls with a new product development process (NPD); using the development of a new environmentally friendly ventilation product to pilot the NPD process.

Established in 1992, Dyer supply and install ventilation products and systems. Products range from manual remote window opening systems to electrical motors and control systems to power-open vents and doors.

Jon Crossley, Managing Director of Dyer recognised that whilst the company was experienced in all aspects of ventilation systems and staff have a great deal of knowledge and experience of installing within the fabric of buildings, what was lacking was the expertise to move the company from simply ‘supply and installation’ to incorporate the development of innovative products and systems, specifically relating to the integration of design development tools and procedures.

The development of this NPD capacity enabled Dyer to design and develop both bespoke and standard solutions and bring their own new products to the market rather than rely on third party suppliers.

The impact of the KTP in implementing a NPD process within the company, in addition to developing an actuating mechanism to power ventilation systems using environmentally friendly renewable energy sources, enabled Dyer to establish itself as a market leader.

Dr Nigel Mellors and Steve Waterworth from the School of Computing Science & Engineering provided expertise in solar cell technology, power storage devices, actuator design and development, embedding of new techniques including market

research, technology assessment, concept generation and refinement, product testing and design for manufacture.Expertise in supply chain management for both new and existing product ranges was also provided.

Life after KTP The ‘SOLIS’ product was developed and successfully launched from the KTP project. This resulted in a £500,000 investment into Dyer from the German manufacturing company D+H Mechatronic for the manufacturing rights. Dyer also gained a valuable understanding of manufacturing techniques through multiple Chinese and German manufacturing research visits.

A global patent has now been applied for and SOLIS has now been commercially recognised, being shortlisted in the Innovation Zone Awards at both Ecobuild 2010 and BRE Insite11. As a result Dyer was a guest speaker at both Retrofit 2011 and Greenbuild.

In addition a number of UK manufacturing companies have contacted Dyer with expressions of interest in collaborating on new product designs, with new products now due to be launched into the market.

The success of the KTP has allowed the partnership to continue, Dyer is now sponsoring the KTP Associate through a PhD enabling the close partnerships to continue and develop.

The academics are continuing to actively engage and support the businesses in the growth of the R&D department and capability and to drive the innovation culture further throughout the organisation. The team continue to work together on new product developments for the organisation as well as continue to support with bid applications such as the development of a SMART Grant.

Dyer continues to support the University and are actively engaged within the Energy Hub, this has resulted in a joint exhibition, this year at Eco-Build. The knowledge gained of working so closely with senior managers within a small organisation and to understand the difficulties businesses are currently facing has allowed the University to develop and adapt is portfolio of businesses support services.

“ Projects like this are fundamental to supporting businesses, through this challenging economic environment. The exchange of knowledge has been invaluable for providing the Institution with real industrial and commercial intelligence and experience of the difficulties SMEs are currently facing. This will allow us as a University, to better align our portfolio of services we offer to business.” Prof Nigel Mellors, Associate Dean, College of Science & Technology

W “ Dyer is a true advocate of the University and continues to promote the work that we undertake.” Jon Crossley, Managing Director Dyer Environmental Controls.

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Preparing Your Housing Group to better understand and respond to their customers.

Your Housing GroupThis ambitious project will help ensure that Create Construction are the leading corporate responsible construction organisation in the UK.

Create Construction

reate Construction, based in

Blackpool, provides a specialist

construction service to a UK wide

client base. Create’s unique turn-

key service provides clients with a one-stop

shop covering all aspects of design and build,

construction and interiors.

Working in partnership with the School of

the Built Environment, this 24 month KTP

will develop a quality management system to

address the corporate responsibility aspects of

the business.

Gill Mathison, Director at Create initiated

the project in response to the UK’s Strategy

for Sustainable Construction. “Leading

companies are becoming more and more

socially aware. Many of us opt to buy fair

trade, ethically sourced or organic products.

Why isn’t the construction industry following

suit? We at Create want to take a leading

step to ensure that we are responsible for

what we build; we owe it to our clients and

the community.”

This KTP aims to identify and embed a

corporate responsibility strategy within

Create’s business processes. Create’s policy

has been developed and aligned to the

new ISO 26000 in aspects of: corporate

governance; employees; community;

business-to-business; and environment.

These key areas will be supported by re-

engineered business processes, resources

and measures – both at organisational and

project levels – and are also in accordance to

AA1000, the global standard for corporate

responsibility and sustainable development.

With projects working towards the BREEAM

standards for best practice in sustainable

building design, construction and operation;

along with strategic studies to undertake

sustainable procurement (BS9803); future

improvements in site waste management

plans – Create is building an ethical plan to

be a responsible leader. A goal, with their

newly acquired research knowledge, will not

be too far away. By reducing construction

waste, decreasing carbon emissions,

employing locally, expanding local knowledge

and giving back to the local community,

Create Construction in partnership with the

University of Salford is moving ever closer to

becoming a leader in their field.

The Considerate Constructors Scheme recently monitored two of Create’s sites; both sites rated in the top 10% most considerate sites in the UK.

C ith the recent weaknesses

in the UK housing market,

the economic downturn,

political changes and the

resulting significant cuts in public funding,

the social housing sector face significant

challenges. Changes in the regulatory regime

of the sector are also providing some key

challenges for the sector. Specifically the

increasing role of the customer in scrutinising

performance, and their ability to direct

concerns to the regulator increases the need

for robust and rigorous knowledge and

performance management processes.

The KTP between Your Housing Group

and Salford Housing and Urban Studies

Unit (College of Science, Engineering &

Environment) will enable the Group to

develop an effective knowledge management

system in relation to customer and

performance data and the basic competencies

and reporting suites that will be required to

sustain an effective service to its customers.

As a result of the KTP, Your Housing will be

better able to respond to newly introduced

national standards which require that the

sector fully understands the needs and wants

of their customer base, works with those

customers to agree local service requirements

and provide timely performance information

that can be scrutinised by customers,

management, boards and the regulator.

Harvest Housing Group merged with Arena

Homes in April 2012 to form Your Housing

Group. As this was half way through the

two year KTP, this has presented a new set

of challenges and opportunities for both

organisations around working with different

partners who use management information in

different ways.

With a reputation for providing excellent quality services to all its residents and customers, Your Housing Group is looking to raise these standards even higher.

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KTP enables Moneyline to develop a unique Credit and Risk Assessment Tool for microfinance.

Moneyline

oneyline (formerly East Lancashire Moneyline (IPS) Ltd) is a non-profit Industrial and Provident Society providing access to credit,

savings and advice, primarily to individuals falling outside the lending criteria of the high street banks and building societies. The aim of this 24 month KTP, formed with the Schools of Computing, Science & Engineering and English, Sociology, Politics & Contemporary History, was to develop a model for predicting the level of risk in approving credit by streamlining its application process and thereby delivering an increase in loan volume and a significant reduction in bad debt rates.

This KTP has enabled Moneyline to develop a unique Credit and Risk Assessment Tool for microfinance that facilitates objective assessment of loan applications, enabling discovery of emerging patterns that can be utilized for risk assessment and will enable the management of loan approval in a growing number of outlets.

During the course of the KTP the company has undergone a period of rapid expansion from five outlets at the start of the project to 15 by its conclusion. In a period of 24 months the company has needed to respond dynamically in building an infrastructure to adapt and change systems and processes to support this expansion. A further ten outlets were in the process of opening as the project concluded. Coming from two different disciplinary backgrounds the academics, Professor Sunil Vadera and Dr Karl Dayson, have reaped significant rewards from the partnership; the application of data mining methods on a real world problem that is challenging, complex and where success has a positive impact on improving financial inclusion. The project has provided a case study that can be utilised to enhance teaching and learning and creates opportunities for real world projects for students in the final year of their studies, improving their experience and enhancing their employment prospects.

The project has also led to new multi-disciplinary collaboration between staff from Computer Science and Sociology and the publication of two papers.

Jia Wu, the KTP Associate working on the project has gained substantial experience in:

❚ Designing, developing and implementing a novel system and gained an in-depth understanding of the issues involved in utilising data mining methods in practice

❚ Engaging and working within a very dynamic and growing business with a variety of stakeholders and users. This has included training, deployment and support of the system in 15 branches

❚ Managing a novel and challenging project, and completing a training programme leading to PRINCE2 certification.

Since the classic project began, Moneyline has grown dramatically and the system design process has contributed to improvements in understanding and defining their credit assessment processes as well as development of a novel system.

Given its growth; full deployment, evaluation and refinement of the data mining methods would represent a major advance that is normally only possible for major high street lenders who can afford to devote significant resources. During the KTP the partners identified the need for a shorter follow-on KTP project; this came as a result of identifying weaknesses in the company’s data collection and control systems. The specification element of the shorter KTP generated a radical change in thinking about the various system processes within Moneyline and empowered staff to evaluate and critique current practice in a more open and involved way; across various branches and departments. The research obtained from this follow-on shorter KTP has contributed to the profile of the Data Mining and Pattern Recognition Research Centre. The system developed provides access to previously unavailable social impact reporting that will allow the company to analyse customer behaviour and demographic, in order to shape the future provision of the service to meet customer needs. This will also allow Moneyline to share this social impact data more widely within the sector to contribute to the continuing development.

M

The excellent platform that has been made possible by this KTP has significant potential for Moneyline’s business as well as further research.

Developing an innovative and radically different way of delivering legal practice business services.

The ability to quantify the effectiveness of digital advertising is a problem faced by the digital adverting industry.

To develop and implement target value design process for use in heavy infrastructure construction.

Freeclaim Services

Fast Web Media

Infra Projects

teeped in tradition and reluctant to embrace new and evolving technology or recognise that the traditional models are not sustainable; the majority of the

legal profession is failing to confront the changes in the sector. At the same time, traditional legal service delivery does not appeal to clients who are competent with new technology and comfortable with different service models.

At the forefront of driving this need to change is Freeclaim Services Ltd; an incorporated firm of personal injury solicitors who specialise in acting for claimants under conditional fee (‘no win, no fee’) agreements. For the academic team involved, this KTP presents a number of new avenues of enquiry. The project provides access data and activity that will contribute to cutting edge research and teaching – these include information security and privacy, online client relationship development, technology adoption, the creation of a new service, the re-engineering of work processes and workflow within a traditional profession and the creation of new forms of digital engagement.

Infra-Projects (IP) Limited is an Information Management business, providing sustainable innovative solutions to complex business, technical and engineering problems

associated with major infrastructure programmes.

Working with the School of Built Environment, Infra Projects aim to develop and implement Target Value Design processes, procedures and supporting ICT for use in heavy infrastructure construction.

Target Value Design (TVD) is a collaborative approach to project delivery that has been developed and applied in the US during the last 6 years. There is no evidence of TVD being applied to heavy infrastructure type projects and no processes or off the shelf packages to implement TVD. The main scientific challenge is to adjust the method to fit this new application area.

he KTP with Fast Web Media Limited and Salford Business School will develop an integrated online system with an holistic dashboard interface

enabling a summative view of an entire campaign across multiple channels.

Sophisticated tracking and access to live trends will enable more precise calculation of return on investment (ROI). Fast Web Media is an award-winning digital marketing agency involved in the design and development of digital marketing services, specialising in search marketing, search engine optimisation, technical development, social media and mobile. As a result of the KTP Fast Web Media will lead and contribute to the reputation of the digital marketing industry by developing a transparent solution which will offer unparalleled access to information.

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KTP showcase KTP showcase

22 23

The aim of this KTP was to develop an evaluation toolkit, trial its application and effectiveness and to embed evaluation and feedback into their public prevention initiative design process.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

n line with all other Fire and Rescue

Services, Greater Manchester Fire

and Rescue Service makes a major

contribution towards tackling

anti-social behaviour. Delivering a diverse

range of initiatives across different

target audiences the Service works with

communities in order to achieve a

safer society.

Ten Borough Commands offer their own

community safety initiatives, many of

which are based upon the innovative ideas

of firefighters.

KTP Associate, Heidi Koljonen explained

“Early discussions identified that staff

believed there were barriers and constraints

to the evaluation but they also seemed to

appreciate the usefulness of evaluation

activities.

They felt positive about monitoring and

assessing initiatives and thought that the

evaluation would be a valuable activity as

it helps to address issues related to the

effectiveness of the project, identify best

value for money activities and highlight

possible future changes to programme

delivery”.

Lead academic, Norma Ford added:

“Whilst the initial aim of the KTP was to

develop an evaluation toolkit for the GMFRS’

community safety initiatives, the project

has expanded to examining the initiative

management system and to address cultural

barriers to evaluation”.

In addition to achieving the main objectives,

Heidi Koljonen delivered a number of

additional outputs:

❚ Developed the knowledge and capability

of GMFRS staff in the techniques and

methods which can be applied to evaluate

projects

❚ Enhanced the profile of GMFRS within the

UK Fire and Rescue Service community

❚ Results of the KTP have been shared with

the Chief Fire Officers Association which

is working to promote the greater use

of evaluation by fire and rescue services

nationally.

The University of Salford team recognised

at the outset, that a key challenge would

be to build a toolkit that was sufficiently

sensitive to the variability and complexity

of the GMFRS community safety initiatives;

and yet capable of being utilised by internal

personnel with no specialist expertise

in evaluation.

As part of its development, the toolkit was

trialled on three initiatives. These trials

resulted in credible and valid qualitative

evaluation summaries of three projects.

Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club

Set up by front line firefighters working in

the Moss Side area who identified a problem

associated with anti-social behaviour by

young people and a growing trend amongst

disaffected youth in the area to target fire

fighters for verbal and physical abuse.

The evaluation summary is now being used

as evidence to support bids for future and

sustained funding streams to allow the

community to continue to benefit from this

unique and multi-cultural experience.

The toolkit has been shared with the Fire and Rescue Service in Denmark and is used to evaluate pioneering youth work in the Greve Municipality of Copenhagen.

Firefly Manchester North

An initiative targeting young teenagers

involved in or having close association with

anti-social behaviour, including malicious

calls. Future bids to Local Authorities for

funding are being supported by the evidence

obtained through the evaluation of Firefly

in Manchester Borough allowing more

disadvantaged young people to

benefit from this one week firefighter

experience.

Wigan Reading Scheme

Off duty firefighters provide additional

reading support to local primary school

children. The resulting evaluation is being

used to support the development of at

least one other local reading scheme. This

encourages reluctant young male readers

to engage with fire fighters as positive

role models increasing the potential for

improvement of their quality of life.

The trial and consultation stage was an

essential part of the development of the

toolkit, ensuring that potential users felt

comfortable using it and were able to apply it

when developing, managing and monitoring

projects and initiatives.

Through the KTP, GMFRS gained significant

corporate knowledge about the entire

evaluation process including how it should

be used to shape thinking at the conceptual

stage of a project.

As a result the organisation is now able to

design and manage the evaluation process

and ensure that the aims and intended

outcomes are fully aligned with corporate

goals. These benefits include not only

clear improvement and understanding of

evaluation processes and practices, but

also development of management, project

management and inter-partner liaison.

I

KTP showcase KTP showcase

24 25

Industrial CASE provides funding for PhD studentships, where businesses take the lead in arranging projects with an academic partner of their choice.

Industrial CASE Awards (ICase) Led by business, supported by research

he aim of these awards is to

provide PhD students with a first-

rate, challenging research training

experience, within the context of

a mutually beneficial research collaboration

between academic and partner organisations

for example, industry and policy making

bodies. Industrial CASE provides outstanding

students access to training, facilities and

expertise not available in an academic setting

alone. Students benefit from a diversity of

experimental approaches with an applied/

translational dimension. Students have an

opportunity to develop a range of valuable

skills and significantly enhance their future

employability; many will become research

leaders of the future.

Industrial CASE encourage productive

engagement between partners who benefit

from a motivated, high-quality PhD student

undertaking cutting-edge research relevant

to the organisation’s priorities and objectives.

The studentship provides opportunities to

explore novel research collaborations and

strengthen current partnerships.

T

Industrial CASE exists not only to benefit business and the student’s career, but also to help the University build closer links with industry so that they can carry out research and teaching which reflects the needs of the economy.

Grey water and energy recycling

The project is jointly sponsored by United Utilities PLC and supported by Arvia Technology Ltd, an award winning

technology start up company actively

developing and commercialising a portfolio

of patents describing this innovative and

groundbreaking water treatment process.

The Energy Hub at the University of Salford

is a leading Centre for the study of retrofit

energy saving and contains the nationally

acclaimed Salford Energy House,

a Victorian terrace built in a laboratory

that allows quantitative measurement of

retrofit solutions.

The project will initially involve the installation

in the house of a grey water recycling system

that incorporates a new and highly innovative

technology that also retains and in part reuses

the energy used to heat the water.

Working with Professor Roger Ford of the

School of Computing, Science & Engineering,

the project aims to develop a unit that can

recover water and heat that would otherwise

be wasted and put both to beneficial use in

a domestic house; design and build the unit,

review the performance and sustainability

and report its success.

Periphony for broadcast

The BBC has maintained an interest in

the development of technologies that

enhance user experience whilst maintaining

compatible broadcast formats for multi-

platform delivery. An initial BBC Research and

Development study revealed strong variations

in subjective opinion depending on the

nature of the programme material

when auditioned over systems with

periphonic capabilities.

Working with Professor Yu Lam, of School

of Computer Science and Engineering, this

project aims to investigate the incorporation

of periphonic ambisonic audio (3-D audio,

with height) into broadcasting to multi-

platform audiences. This is seen as the next

step, following the route from mono, to

stereo, then 5-channel surround sound.

One of the key areas of the project is to

ensure that those in the audience who do not

have top-of-the-range listening facilities are

not disadvantaged.

Listening to periphonic programmes should

ideally be possible on mobile devices, as well

as through hi-fi in the home and the project

proposes to deploy a number of studies that

will provide guidance for the integration of

this technology in the future of broadcast.

Darius Satongar, PHD student appointed

to complete the project tells us ”After

completing my undergraduate degree and

working in the audio industry for a short time

this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The Industrial Case Studentship means that I

can complete my PhD with the University of

Salford as well as working with the BBC.”

Industrial CASE exists not only to benefit business and the student’s career, but also to help the University build closer links with industry so that they can carry out research and teaching.

KTP showcase

University of SalfordPartnerships officeThe CrescentM5 4WT

t: 0161 295 2902e: j.morana@salford.ac.uk

www.ktp.salford.ac.uk Com

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