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Two Heriot-Watt University-led research projects have been shortlisted by the Times Higher Education Awards 2017, in recognition of their far-reaching impact and ability to capture the imagination of the public.
The Homelessness Monitor Project, which is led by Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick and funded by Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, was shortlisted in the Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences category.
The Homelessness Monitor Project, now in its seventh year, played a pivotal role in the formation of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Professor Fitzpatrick works with colleagues in the Institute of Social Policy, Housing and Equalities (I-SPHERE) at Heriot-Watt and the University of New South Wales to deliver the Monitor. It provides independent, in-depth analysis of the homelessness impacts of recent economic and policy developments for each of the four UK nations and the model has now been exported to Australia.
Professor Rory Duncan and his team, with colleagues from the University of Edinburgh, have been shortlisted in the Research Project of the Year: STEM category for the establishment and development of the Edinburgh Super Resolution Imaging Consortium (ESRIC).
ESRIC’s purpose is to advance super-resolution microscopy to accelerate scientific discovery and address global health challenges. In the past year, scientists from the centre have developed a new LED technique to diagnose cataracts, filed three patents and established a Summer School that attracted delegates from 16 countries to the centre.
Professor Gareth Pender, Deputy Principal Research and Innovation, said: “Having two Heriot-Watt research projects shortlisted in two categories, STEM and Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, is a testament to the breadth of high quality research undertaken at the university.
“Professors Fitzpatrick and Duncan’s projects are sterling examples of the impact that our interdisciplinary, collaborative research can have on people’s lives, whether through preventing homelessness or making medical breakthroughs.”
The Times Higher Awards will be held on Thursday 30 November 2017, in London.