8 minute read
Choosing your postgraduate degree
Research centres
The Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies aims to improve health, quality of life and healthcare provision by solving complex musculoskeletal biomechanical issues through highly innovative and integrated approaches. With numerous publications, the centre has an excellent track record of research accomplishments and collaboration with industry partners and health services sectors across various parts of the world. The research on orthotics, footwear and mobility assistive technology aims to support and improve people’s functionality. Furthermore, the centres research on predicting the risk for diabetic foot ulcers aims to aid the prevention of amputations that impose major health and economic burden. The staff also work with various international agencies focusing on global policy areas relating to assistive technology.
Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, esteemed Professor of Clinical Biomechanics, and Director of the Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies, Nachi is a pillar of research in various forward-thinking areas in his interdisciplinary sector. He has established biomechanics research at Staffordshire and plays a pivotal role in the development and delivery of internationally recognised research in the areas of human performance measurement with a focus on foot and footwear biomechanics, injury prevention, lower limb musculo-skeletal conditions and aetiopathology of scoliosis. Nachi currently serves in the review panel for various research councils and research governing bodies around the world including the EPSRC and MRC. He has been appointed to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) Panel of Experts within Subpanel 24 - Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism. He collaborates with experts across all continents and is also listed as an expert to the European Parliament in policy areas relating to the assessment of new and emerging technologies, and foresight on long-term scientific and technological trends.
Centre of Archaeology
The Centre of Archaeology is an internationally renowned centre of research and knowledge exchange that is committed to addressing some of the biggest challenges affecting global society such as genocide, conflict, social justice, identity and environmental change. We are currently undertaking pioneering work in the fields of Holocaust Archaeology, forensic approaches to buried remains and the development of non-destructive archaeological methods. Our fieldwork has included surveys at extermination camps and killing sites all over Europe, including Treblinka in Poland, Staro Sajmiste in Serbia and Jasenovac in Croatia.
As a Professor in Conflict Archaeology and Genocide Investigation and Director of the Centre of Archaeology, Caroline has conducted and world-leading research concerning missing persons, mass violence and various aspects of crime scene investigation. She has pioneering interdisciplinary approaches to the investigation of Holocaust landscapes and was awarded the European Archaeological Heritage Prize in 2016 for her contribution to modern conflict archaeology. Caroline has taken her research global, delivering prestigious talks, partaking in various television and radio productions, and publishing books, journals and articles on a wide range of subjects.
The C3 Centre engages in research that reflects the search for new conceptual and critical insights into practices used by individual artists, collectives and creative thinkers who are passionate about engaging, interacting and co-creating with local, national and global societies, cultures and communities. Focus is on the areas of the Creative Industry and Creative Communities that make Staffordshire University impactful through its creative engagements. Our research has national and international significance in its application of creative and cultural insights into the local and regional regeneration, the economy, and wellbeing agendas.
Professor Carola Boehm – Director profile
Experienced creative and science interdisciplinarian Carola holds academic qualifications and professional memberships and fellowships for institutes around the globe. As Director of the C3 Centre, Carola brings her experience and research interests in the facilitation of interdisciplinary processes within higher education, more specifically within science and the arts. Carola also brings over 10 years of research expertise surrounding music technology and music technology education, where she was involved in the development of music information systems, MPEG7, music data structures and metadata.
SCoLPP is committed to developing evidence-informed pedagogic practice which connects learning and teaching to enhanced social mobility. Research themes include: examining pedagogical possibilities and evaluating the emancipatory nature of learning; developing evidenceinformed evaluation methodologies for capturing the socio-cultural impact of effective learning approaches; translating evidence-informed learning into thoughtleading participatory practice and collaborative enquiry.
Professor Stella Jones-Devitt – Director profile
Stella Jones-Devitt is Professor of Critical Pedagogy at Staffordshire University and Director of SCoLPP (Staffordshire Centre of Learning and Pedagogic Practice) pedagogic research centre. Stella has significant experience and expertise in leading, designing and implementing evaluation research. She is a National Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of the HEA and has acted as a national Ambassador for Teaching Excellence in the UK. Her academic interests include exploring and applying innovative evaluation methodologies, flexible pedagogies and applied critical thinking. Within the confines of marketised H.E., she has a keen interest in understanding more about whose voices don’t get heard and why.
Centre for Crime, Justice and Security
The Centre for Crime, Justice and Security aims for the promotion, development and implementation of justice in all of its forms. Work primarily focusses on criminal justice but also in terms of how social justice impacts and is impacted by criminal justice practices. The work we do with local, national and international communities aims to enrich and transform lives and to positively impact on policy and practice in wider social and criminal justice environments.
Dr Claire Gwinnett – Director profile
Professor in Forensic and Environmental Science and Director of the Centre for Crime Justice and Security Dr Claire Gwinnett is a leading research figurehead in the field of trace evidence and microplastic analysis. Academically, Claire completed her PhD at Staffordshire University, focusing her thesis on The Use of Inexperienced Personnel in the Production of a Synthetic Fibres Database. Since then, she has led and worked on national and international research projects focussing on trace evidence, forensic databases, quality standards in forensic science and microplastic pollution. She conducts casework in hairs and fibres, particularly specialising in wildlife crimes and provides consultancy in validation studies for ISO accreditation for UK police forces. Prof Gwinnett is also the lead for the International Forensic Fibres and Microplastics Research Group that collaborates with organisations in 22 countries.
Centre for Smart Systems, AI and Cyber Security
The Centre for Smart Systems, AI and Cyber Security focuses research on three areas that are critical for the constant development of technology and infrastructure in 21st Century emerging industries. Smart systems research focuses on the embedding of technology and the Internet of Things into modern living and working environments. AI research covers a variety of different applied and theoretical modes, including machine learning and the integration of AI into areas like surveillance, predictive analysis for health and climate data, computational intelligence, smart cities, security engineering, and much more. As the third area, Cyber Security research develops the governance and protection of systems within business and personal environments.
Elhadj Benkhelifa – Director profile
Elhadj Benkhelifa is a Professor of Computer Science and the Founding Director of the Centre for Smart Systems, AI and Cyber Security. A successful research and academic professional, Elhadj focuses his research on cloud computing and applications, Service Computing, Cyber Security, Data (Governance, Semantics, analytics, Social Networks), Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering methods. Elhadj is an international speaker who has co/edited both conference proceedings and numerous special editions of Scientific Journals. He has led a number of collaborative projects and chaired many prominent IEEE conferences. Elhadj is Senior Member of IEEE, co-founder of the IEEE UK&I Section’s Education & STEM Office, Member of the West Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre’s Advisory Board, a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy and Prince2 Practitioner.
The Staffordshire Centre for Sustainable and Renewable Engineering is born from our commitment to make a better and lasting environment for future generations. The centre aims to consistently carry out world-leading theoretical and applied research and knowledge exchange to address complex real-world engineering challenges to improve peoples’ lives and the environment they live in, improving life satisfaction, productivity, and sustainability, in areas like renewable and low carbon energy, sustainability manufacturing, and sustainable transport.
Professor Torfeh Sadat-Shafai – Director profile
Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and internationally renowned academic, Torfeh leads the Staffordshire Centre for Sustainable and Renewable Engineering. Building on his PhD contributions to the Electronic Properties of Thin Films of Lead Phthalocyanine at Keele University, Torfeh continues to lead research teams and push the field of photovoltaics, contributing both sector-changing publications and examples of innovative experimental physics that focus on improving the future of sustainable and functional materials and renewable engineering techniques.
The Centre for Digital Entertainment and the Media Industries (DEMI) straddles Media, Performance and Communication and Games and Visual Effects and responds to an increased sense of digital media convergence across the sector. The Centre was developed to establish a rigorous research base for the study of the media and interactive entertainment industries while ensuring that the media industries are a key driver for economic growth and prosperity in our region.
Dr Mark Mckenna – Director profile
Dr Mark McKenna is an Associate Professor in Film and Media Industries. His research is primarily interested in the industrial function of myth and the economic and cultural value of these narratives to the industry itself. Mark has published widely, including three books devoted on horror cinema, as well as contributions to journals and research that has significantly forwarded his field. As well as leading the Centre for Research in the Digital Entertainment and Media Industries as Director, Mark is currently working on his third monograph that explores the mythic persona of director John Milius and considers how this semi-autobiographical ‘surf movie’ contributes to dominant myths about the director.
