GW4 Crucible Seed Projects

This seed project aims to establish a sustainable GW4 university staff network from different backgrounds and disciplines to better understand poor mental health (MH) in the higher education (HE) community, what is currently being done and further needs. This project will inform future collaborations and applications for funding to scope, develop, implement and evaluate change interventions.

University of Bath: Rachel Paskell (PI), Jeff Lambert

University of Bristol: Myles-Jay Linton, Kate Ash-Irisarri, Kayleigh Easey

Cardiff University: Paula Foscarini-Craggs

University of Exeter: Kate Holmes, Irene Salvo, Chris Sandal-Wilson

 

We aim to understand more about the unique mental health needs of women at key stages of reproductive transition across the life-course. 

University of Bristol: Kate Ash-Irisarri, Kayleigh Easey (Co-PI)

University of Exeter: Siobhan Mitchell (Co-PI)

 

In response to rising rates of mental health difficulties among children and young people, the UK government has recently increased its policy focus and funding for mental health in and through schools (DoH & DfE, 2017). However, it is unclear how schools are responding to this policy agenda given ongoing pressure to deliver academic outputs. This exploratory project brings together colleagues from education, policy studies and history, and from three of the four GW4 institutions to develop interdisciplinary conversations and an intersectoral network focused on mental health in education.

University of Bath: Rachel Wilder (Co-PI)

University of Bristol: Naomi Warne

University of Exeter: Katie Howard (Co-PI), Eleni Dimitrellou, Chris Sandal-Wilson

The proposed project aims at combining synergies and trade-offs of different sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the process of net-zero food system transformation. Taking advantage of the interdisciplinarity of the project team, we seek to improve the knowledge on pathways towards food systems aligning with the principle of Net Zero as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

University of Bath: Yixian Sun

Cardiff University: Pan He (PI)

University of Exeter: Jesse Abrams, Kristin Liabo, Okechukwu Okorie

This innovative project will use co-creation, multi-institutional, interdisciplinary collaboration with GW4 researchers in psychology, geography, environmental biology, earth science and English literature (DS) and young people (aged 16-18) in local schools. We will develop and pilot a workshop exploring eco-emotions, hope and sustainable action.

University of Bath: Elizabeth Marks (PI)

University of Bristol: Ed Atkins

Cardiff University: David Shackleton

University of Exeter: Jesse Abrams, Jo Garrett

EXPO-ENGAGE will conduct pilot interdisciplinary research across GW4 on the impact of participation in air quality citizen science on environmental engagement. This is anticipated to provide a basis for further collaborative bids around air pollution, citizen science and environmental engagement.

University of Bath: Daniel Fosas de Pando, Elizabeth Marks

Cardiff University: Rachel Hale

University of Exeter: Jo Garrett (PI), Siân de Bell, Stuart Walker

We will develop a programme of work focusing on the co-production of knowledge between researchers and farmers to promote prudent antimicrobial usage and desirable disease management practices on farms. We use E. coli prevalence and antimicrobial resistance data aggregated from contemporaneous literature to produce a detailed transmission model of E. coli and antibiotic resistance on the UK cattle farm environment.

University of Bath: Sion Bayliss

University of Bristol: Ross Booton, Jonathan Tyrrell

University of Exeter: Ray Chan (PI)

Innovation for Agriculture: Lisa Morgans

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited life-limiting disease exacerbated by chronic lung infections. People with CF require frequent and aggressive antimicrobial treatments throughout their life. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is therefore of great concern for CF patients and new therapies are urgently needed. This project proposes an ambitious pilot study to investigate a personalised alternative treatment against key bacterial and fungal CF pathogens.

University of Bath: Neil Brown

University of Bristol: Jonathan Tyrrell

Cardiff University: Manon Pritchard, Rebecca Weiser

University of Exeter: Philip Mitchelmore (PI)

Working with stakeholders (especially farmers in South West England & Wales), this project explores the potential of applying game design features (e.g. goal setting, scoring systems) to investigate antibiotic use practices.

University of Bristol: Robert Hughes (Co-PI)

Cardiff University: Nervo Verdezoto

University of Exeter: Matthew Lloyd Jones (Co-PI), Aimee Murray, Max Barnish

In this project, we aim to develop a functional collaboration that combines our expertise in medicinal chemistry, bacteriology, mycology and antibiotic resistance. In particular our goal is to evaluate two classes of compounds for antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity against Staphylococci and Candida. We will begin to examine several aspects of compound activity namely, synergistic antimicrobial activity and their effect on bacterial-fungal communities. Finally, we will undertake preliminary studies of their mode of action.

University of Bath: Maisem Laabei (PI)

University of Bristol: Seána Duggan

Cardiff University: Michaela Serpi

University of Exeter: Dhara Malavia, Mark Stappers