UPEN News Number 1 Spring / Summer 2011
Points of interest: • Network members win prestigious grants • Knowledge Exchange activities throughout UPEN • Event information and networking activities • UPEN aims • In the spotlight—Prof Paul Hayes
Inside this issue:
Environment-related activity at the University of Portsmouth
Professor wins prestigious Royal Society recognition An evolutionary biologist who is working against the clock to help understand and classify plants before they become extinct has won a prestigious Royal Society grant. Professor Scott Armbruster, of the School of Biological Sciences, has been awarded a Wolfson Research Merit Award for a project on the evolution of flower diversity. This grant will help fund field trips to Australia and South America to study the floral evolution of selected species, some of which are under threat of extinction. Scott explains: "My work has a real sense of urgency. If I wait too long, key species may become extinct before I find them. Analysis of evolutionary processes helps us understand how we and other species got here, and if that doesn't matter, what does?"
on plant evolutionary processes, about 10 per cent of the tropical species he studied appear to have become extinct. "We are losing 1030,000 species of plants and animals a year, every year. As an evolutionary scientist it’s like trying to find pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that might explain who we are and how life got to be the way it is, while someone’s throwing away the pieces as you work, so you can never get the complete picture." In addition to using the award to travel and study plant species and their pollinators, some of which yet to be discovered by science, Scott will also be able to devote some of the money and effort to DNA sequencing, in order to reconstruct the groups' evolutionary histories. He said: "This grant will also help me raise awareness of the precarious position we are in on this planet. If scientists can engage the public so they understand and are
Architect builds social capital
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Professor Armbruster said that in the 30 years he had been working
Professor looks to freeze extinctions
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‘Green’ KTP success
TEBAG provides clear refreshment
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UPEN L&T activities 2 find a voice Research confer3 ence comes to town Funding opportunities
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University joins Solent Forum
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In the spotlight:
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University staff have won two Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) which stand to help deliver direct positive impacts on the environment. Dr John Williams, School of Civil Engineering and Surveying has won a classic KTP in partnership with Grundon Waste Management Ltd to develop an IT based tool to evaluate the carbon footprint of waste disposal activities and options, to enhance tenders and quotes. David Smith is lead academic with a team from the Department of Strategy and Business Systems and School of Computing that will work on a shorter KTP with
Connexionz UK. The project will include mapping to provide knowledge of emerging and future technologies relevant to public transport systems and to develop a full business development strategy and plan for any technology recommended by the team. Both of these Partnerships have received financial support from the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are three-way projects between an
Professor Scott Armbruster, School of Biological Sciences
fascinated by nature, then they might help do something about saving it."
academic, a business and a recently qualified person (known as the Associate). They provide academics with the opportunity to apply research to real world business projects and aim to help businesses improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base. The programme is funded by the Technology Strategy Board along with the other government funding organisations. If you feel you would like to explore KTPs further, see http://bit.ly/i5s5lE or contact Gill Prosser on ext 2978 or email gill.prosser@port.ac.uk
Have you visited the UPEN website? - www.port.ac.uk/upen
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Architect builds social capital to tackle ‘Carbon IntenCity’ “Presentation on PURE hubs as part of the School of Architecture research seminar series on March 16th, at 14:00.” - carbon intencity
Catherine Teeling from the School of Architecture is leading the University as a partner in a European collaboration that is seeking funds for a project called PURE Hubs.
Ian Nelson from Sunnyfields Farm, Southampton delivered a presentation outlining the entrepreneurial activities that surround the farm.
The team intends to setup active centres for “Pioneers in Urban Rural Entrepreneurship” and to monitor their success as generators for Urban-Rural economic and social resilience. It is hoped that PURE hubs will work by reconnecting the relationship between the needs of Catherine Teeling, School of Architecture with urban social and economic wellcollaborators from Wageningen University and the being with rural practice. South Netherlands Farmers Organisation
As part of the planning for this event, Catherine recently hosted some of the other partners from the Netherlands and Belgium here in Portsmouth. As part of the meeting,
Examples included farm shops and farmers markets; food and music events, live food theatres and wholesale supply.
Our European partners were most enthused by the concept, and judged it an excellent example of some of the ideas encapsulated by “PURE hubs”. Catherine will be making a presentation on PURE hubs as part of the School of Architecture research seminar series on March 16th, at 14:00. More details to follow. ALL are welcome to attend. Catherine is also heading up two other funded EU projects for which we are lead partner. Strategies for Low Carbon Settlements (SILCS) http://bit.ly/eRR3Xn and Transport Carbon IntenCities (TraCit) http://bit.ly/eCXPFk.
Biology Professor looks to freeze species extinctions
“develop the practical applications of genetic resource
Congratulations to Professor Matt Guille of the School of Biological Sciences, who has recently been awarded a NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) CASE research studentship. CASE awards promote collaboration between the research community and end-users of research - in this case, Zoological Society, London. The project will investigate cryopreservation (cooling to sub zero tem-
peratures) of germ cells, which can contribute to the biobanking (long term storage) of samples from endangered species. This research aims to investigate genomic aspects of cryoinjury (living cells can become damaged during the cryopreservation process) in the spermatozoa of a model species. By better understanding
the fundamental reasons for poor post-thaw survival and fertility, the team hope to develop the practical applications of genetic resource banking and improve its generic success across a wider range of species. Professor Matt Guille School of Biological Sciences
banking and improve its success across a wider range of
In it to win it - funding opportunities applicable to all Below are four funding opportunities with broad appeal to which you are strongly encouraged to apply. In the first instance, please contact Dr David Hutchinson david.hutchinson@port.ac.uk x5079.
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species.” - species extinctions article
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Non-thematic funding, standard research grants, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), http://bit.ly/gmnrJ6 This is an open competition for curiosity-motivated basic, strategic or applied research. Minimum of £25,000 for directly incurred costs. Closing date: 01 Jul and 01 Dec 2011 Intra-European Fellowship (IEF), http://bit.ly/hcQ3S7 Grants enable experienced researchers (with PhD) to undertake career development and advanced training activities by moving from one member state or associated country to another for 12-24 months. Closing date 11 Aug 2011 Non-thematic funding, small grants, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), http://bit.ly/iiD49X This is an open competition for curiosity-motivated basic, strategic or applied research, providing funding for small discrete projects such as proof-of-concept studies, and pump-priming exercises. Up to £65,000 is available at 80 per cent full economic cost. Closing date: 01 Sep 2011 Initial Training Network (ITN), http://bit.ly/dG8Edz A network of organisations (public and private) from 3+ EU MS/Associated Countries applies for funding before recruiting researchers. Projects are based on a joint training programme, focused on the development and broadening of research competencies and complementary skills. Closing date ~ Dec 2011
For details of further funding opportunities please contact Karen Musk karen.musk@port.ac.uk or Jenny Steere jenny.steere@port.ac.uk
EVENT: Applying for Research Funding - Tuesday 15th March - contact: Suzi Edwards x6197
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TEBAG facilities provide refreshing business options The Environmental Biogeochemistry Analysis Group at the University of Portsmouth (TEBAG) was set up in 2010 as a part of the University’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. The group combines extensive in house expertise in Environmental Sciences with state of the art analytical instruments
and methodologies to provide clients with quantitative chemical analysis of environmental samples. Typically these include elemental and chlorophyll a analysis in water and sediment samples, and macronutrient analysis in water samples. The team has established an ISO
9001:2008 accredited analytical facility that provides a professional service to ensure a rewarding working partnership. For more information see www.port.ac.uk/tebag or contact Fay Couceiro tebag@port.ac.uk
A geographic information system (GIS), is any system that captures, stores, analyses, manages, and presents data that are linked to location(s). GISRUK conferences are primarily aimed at the academic community,
attracting delegates from all parts of the UK, together with the European Union and North America and from disciplines including Geography, Computer Science, Architecture, Geology, and Engineering. While not exclusively environment-related, GIS very often has a strong environmental component. Examples of use at the University include mapping habitat loss, designing responses to natural disasters and documenting impacts of climate change on our coasts.
analytical instruments and methodologies to
Major UK research conference comes to town The GISRUK conference series is the UK's national GIS research conference. This year the conference is being co-hosted by the Ordnance Survey and the Department of Geography, from 27th to 29th April 2011 www.port.ac.uk/gisruk2011.
“State of the art
around the undergraduate degree in Geographical Information Science and the MSc in Geographical Information Systems, both hosted by Geography, there are other groups that either utilise GIS or may benefit from doing so. Do you use GIS (or would you like to?). To help build a clear picture of activity in this area, please get in touch with David Hutchinson (see page 4).
provide clients with quantitative chemical analysis of environmental samples.“ - TEBAG article
While a large proportion of the GIS expertise at the University centres
UPEN Learning and Teaching activities find a voice One of the roles of UPEN is to better coordinate relevant learning and teaching activities. Given the enormous amount of activity in this area it is hard to know where to begin and how to make a constructive difference. However, start we must.
forum through the UPEN intranet pages, found on the menu at www.port.ac.uk/upen. Once you are logged into the intranet, you will see the L&T forum on the right-hand side of the page.
We are trialing a learning and teaching forum to enable wide scale comment on these ideas to see if we can take any forward. You can access the
Investigating the consolidation of teaching content across departments (e.g. lectures delivered by many
Examples of ideas that have met with positive favour include:
individuals on environmental change or sustainability); Introduction of a “sustainability 101” unit for all first year undergraduates (or to at least look seriously at integrating education for sustainable development across the University curricula); and a problem-based learning unit where students work in interdisciplinary teams to develop solutions to large scale environmental challenges (e.g. transition to a low carbon society).
University joins Solent Forum - call to action The University has recently become an “academic member” of the Solent Forum, which provides a platform to deliver Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Solent sub-region of the South East. The Forum operates at a strategic coastal management level, providing a network for closer working relationships, information dissemination and discussion of topical coastal issues.
University staff have been involved with Forum activity since it was established in 1992, however regional universities have been asked to formalise their involvement. Solent Forum Manager , Karen McHugh said "We are very pleased to welcome UoP as Solent Forum member. We hope to work closely with UoP staff within our Nature Conservation Group. We will offer students the opportunity to participate in our Student Bursary Scheme and will provide lecture support on
Integrated Coastal Management". We look forward to working together through this network to maximise research, knowledge exchange and partnership opportunities with other Solent Forum members. If your expertise overlaps with the interests of the Forum, please inform David Hutchinson. You can find more details at www.solentforum.org. Of particular note, is a list of research questions that Forum members would like answers to http://bit.ly/hbgejI - perhaps you already have some?
Related links section on UPEN website
Look for the Learning & Teaching Forum on our intranet pages.
“We hope to work closely with UoP staff ...we will offer students the opportunity to participate in our Student Bursary Scheme“ - Karen McHugh, Solent Forum Manager
CONTACT:
UPEN will:
Dr David Hutchinson Environment Facilitator
• Promote and facilitate excellence
University of Portsmouth Faculty of Science office St Michael’s Building White Swan Road Portsmouth PO1 2DT Phone: 02392 845079 E-mail: environment@port.ac.uk
www.port.ac.uk/upen
in environment-related learning and teaching and research and knowledge transfer, across all areas of the University. • Strengthen environment-related collaborations
within the University community and help to develop new links between academics, businesses and communities at local, national and international levels. • Support efforts to improve the environmental performance of the
In the spotlight:
University.
Professor Paul Hayes is Dean of Science and Director of UPEN. He has been working at the University since September 2008, prior to which he was head of Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol. He’s no stranger to this part of the world however, having been brought up in Eastleigh. We asked him a few questions...
of feral peacocks that do their very best to consume everything that we plant. I like to read for pleasure, and I know this is sad, but I also spend time hunting out old books about various aspects of marine and microbiology, but not using the internet, the use of which strikes me as cheating.
What is your specialist teaching/research area?
The British Phycological Society draws its membership from around the world and exists to promote the study of algae. My role is to oversee and direct the work of the Society and to represent phycology within such bodies as the Federation of European Microbiological Societies.
Since embarking on my PhD in Marine Biology my interests have always been in how microscopic algae are adapted to survive in aquatic ecosystems. Much of my time has been spent in just two areas. The first of these relates to how some organisms can generate gas filled spaces within their cells. These gas filled spaces make the cells float, which is important if you live in a deep lake or the ocean and are dependent on light to fuel your growth. The second area concerns the importance of competition between microalgae and the viruses that infect them. Also, the role these viruses play in transferring genetic information within host populations: maintaining genetic diversity and generating novel gene combinations is important in providing resilience under changing environmental conditions. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? When I am in Portsmouth I don’t seem to have much of this, but at weekends I spend time in the garden, which is rather high maintenance, thinking about the best way to get rid of the multitude
You are president of the British Phycological Society – what does that mean / involve?
How will human induced environmental change affect your discipline? Algae, particularly microscopic forms in the oceans, have a major role in buffering the global ecosystem against fluctuating environmental conditions. In addition to their importance in global ecosystems, there are also major interests and investments targeting the use of algae as a potential source of biofuel, although it remains to be seen if the sometimes over-hyped potential is realised. Climate change and human population growth will also impact on supplies of freshwater, both for drinking and for agriculture. As the pressures on water supply increase we will need to get much smarter in preventing and/or controlling the growth of algae, including some rather toxic species, in lakes and reservoirs. My hope is that because of these factors, interest in phycology
will grow - maybe Google will even stop asking “did you mean Psychology?”. You are trapped in a lift with the Vice Chancellor. You have 30 seconds to get to the 30th floor – what are you going to say? UPEN is starting to make a real difference in raising the profile of Portsmouth as a centre for excellence in environmental teaching and research, and is a great model for how to promote collaboration across departments and faculties. The idea of a facilitated network seems to work well and is generating new income for the University. Can we start to think about how to mainstream the support for the network and thus ensure its future?
February saw the posthumous publication of: Economic management of marine living resources by Professor David Whitmarsh. As a founding member of the UPEN steering group, David was highly supportive of the aims and objectives of this network, having helped to write them. Described as ‘a world authority on the economics of fisheries’ by Times Higher Education, David was the Professor of Marine Resource Management here at the University, where he was part of CEMARE, within the Department of Economics. http://bit.ly/fW5MuN
Information about events including a major event themed around impacts of climate on the Solent area.
www.port.ac.uk/upenevents