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Her Majesty rewards Cardiff research on violence

19 February 2010

Pioneering Cardiff University research, which has transformed local, national and international policy on violence, was recognised by Her Majesty the Queen this morning (Friday, January 19).

Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh presented the Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Grant, and Professor Jonathan Shepherd with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education. Professor Shepherd is director of the University’s Violence and Society Research Group, which won the award for its pioneering work on late-night violence in city centres.

The Research Group is a cross-disciplinary team including academics from the University’s Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Business and Psychology. Achievements since it was formed in 1996 include:

  • The creation of the Cardiff Community Safety Partnership with the police, NHS, local government and others. Based on research by the Group, the Partnership uses data from hospital casualty units to identify trouble hot-spots, making Cardiff the safest city of its size in the UK. This model has now been widely adopted across the country.
  • The establishment of a new National Violence Survey Network. Based on data from a representative sample of UK hospitals, the network has revealed a trend of falling violence since 2000.
  • New programmes of care for violence victims at every stage of their treatment, including a new service for post traumatic stress
  • Identifying a link between increased risk of violence and cheaper drink prices. Other factors which have been studied include crowd movement and CCTV coverage.
  • Research on "glassing" injuries which has led to the introduction of toughened glass and plastic vessels in pubs and nightclubs. This has been linked to a 70 per cent fall in glass assaults.
  • International policy development on violence prevention for the World Health Organisation.
  • Research leading to the creation of the Universities’ Police Science Institute – a collaboration between Cardiff University, Glamorgan University and South Wales Police, which combines practical policing research with police training

Since the Prize winners were announced in November, the Group has continued to have an impact. It has published a new study showing delinquent boys are more likely to suffer death or disability by middle age. The Design Council has unveiled a new type of shatter-proof glass, which is the next stage of the Group’s research in this field. There have been tributes to the Group’s work from senior figures in national and local Government, the police and the NHS.

Professor Shepherd said: "The Queen’s Anniversary Prize has been invaluable in increasing interest in our continuing work on city centre crime and its consequences. Meeting Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh this morning was a great privilege and a tremendous reward for our efforts over the last 14 years. This is an achievement for everyone who has ever contributed to the Group and for our many local, national and international partners."

Professor Shepherd, Dr Grant and other University representatives also attended a celebratory banquet for all the Prize winners at the Guildhall last night (Thursday, February 18)

ENDS

Notes to editors

Professor Shepherd is available at Cardiff University on the morning of February 18 for interview under embargo, for use after the presentation ceremony on February 19

To arrange interviews or to obtain footage and pictures of the ceremony, please contact:

Professor Jonathan Shepherd

School of Dentistry

Telephone 029 20 742 442 or 20 744 215

Mobile 07779 490022

Email: ShepherdJP@cardiff.ac.uk

Stephen Rouse

Public Relations Office,

Cardiff University

T: 029 20 875 596

Mobile 07976 513386

e-mail: RouseS@cardiff.ac.uk

Lowri Jones

Public Relations Office,

Cardiff University

T: 029 20 870 995,

e-mail: joneslc3@cardiff.ac.uk

Cardiff University

Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain’s leading teaching and research universities. Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, the University today combines impressive modern facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research. The University’s breadth of expertise in research and research-led teaching encompasses: the humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences; engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and a longstanding commitment to lifelong learning. The University has just established the Universities Police Science Institute, a joint venture with South Wales Police and the University of Glamorgan, which will be the first institute in England and Wales dedicated to addressing issues facing modern police forces. Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of Britain’s leading research universities.

The University website is at: www.cardiff.ac.uk .

The Violence and Society Research Group website is at www.cardiff.ac.uk/vrg . Further information and a video about the Group’s Prize can be found at www.cardiff.ac.uk.qap

The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes

The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education are separate from but sit alongside the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in the National Honours System. They were founded and are administered by an independent charity, The Royal Anniversary Trust. The Prizes are awarded every two years. They were first awarded in 1994 and originated out of the commemorations for the 40th Anniversary of the Queen’s reign. Around 20 prizes are awarded in each round. To date, 170 awards have been made in the eight rounds.

Cardiff University and the Queen’s Aniversary Prizes

The Violence and Society Research Group is the fourth member of the University to receive an Anniversary Prize. The other three are:

  • Institute of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine. Set up in 1987, the Institute won a 2007 Queen’s Anniversary Prize for work identifying genetic causes of diseases and developing new diagnostic tests and treatments for them, brining benefits for patients and their families.
  • Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC). Established in 1996, the MEC won a 2000 Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its contribution to the economy, particularly its innovativel programme of support for firms using its research expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and practical technology transfer.
  • Professor Tony Campbell (School of Medicine). Professor Campbell won a 1998 Queen’s Anniversary Prize for his pioneering use of chemiluminescence in clinical settings, which has revolutionised biomedical research and clinical diagnosis, leading to improvements in healthcare around the world.