Leading the Way
We believe that universities have a responsibility to look ahead to important new problems and to offer intellectual leadership to society in response to them. We expect our staff to be leaders both in their fields and in the governance of the University and we encourage our students to think how they too can shape the world both now and into the future.
Student volunteering is flourishing
Our volunteering programme SheffieldVolunteering is one of the largest of its kind in the UK and a model of best practice. It gives students the chance to work with individuals and groups in the local community such as the homeless, refugees, young people and the elderly.
In the Students' Union Activities Awards for 2009–10, the Best SheffieldVolunteering Project of the Year Award went to Flourish. Students taking part in Flourish spend one afternoon a week working with people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, resulting in difficulties such as memory loss and speech problems.
Flourish has attracted volunteers from across the student population. It’s particularly popular with students from departments such as Psychology and Human Communication Sciences, who get the added benefit of work experience related to their subjects.
Enhancing health services
Experts in our Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health continue to push the boundaries of health research, developing new tools and techniques to help reduce the cost and improve the effectiveness of healthcare in the UK.
One example of this is FRAX®. This is an online calculator that helps doctors assess whether or not a patient may be affected by an osteoporotic fracture later in life. It was developed for the World Health Organisation (WHO) by a team of Sheffield scientists led by Emeritus Professor John Kanis.
The calculator, which can also be used by patients, takes into account factors such as age, sex, body mass index and parental history of hip fracture to predict the risk.
Where risk is identified, doctors and patients can take preventive measures. Fewer people suffer and the burden on health services is reduced.
The calculator is already available in several different languages, and has also been developed as an iPhone application.
Powering the global energy market
The pioneering Sheffield-Siemens Wind Power Research Centre is the first of its kind in the UK. It brings together world-class academics, researchers and experts from industry to develop wind turbine generators for wind power systems, on and offshore.
The University was chosen by Siemens on the strength of the theoretical and applied research conducted in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering. The centre specialises in the technology, architecture and design of wind turbine generators to generate electrical energy for the global market.
"Partnerships such as this are essential to maintain our leading position in producing more efficient and reliable wind turbine technologies. Our constant dialogue with the University ́s experts will translate into real world solutions with benefits to both the wind industry and the environment."
Christoph Ehlers,
Managing Director Siemens Wind Power in the UK
Influencing policy through research
The School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) is the UK's most powerful department for health services research. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, 90 per cent of the work assessed in ScHARR was rated internationally recognised, internationally excellent or world-leading.
The school's health services research includes emergency and urgent care, public health, primary and community care and mental health. This work is taken up by both healthcare providers and policy makers seeking ways to improve care and use resources more efficiently.
ScHARR employs around 200 staff and attracts over £6 million per year in external funding. Research themes include health inequalities, alcohol policy, patient safety and quality improvement, healthcare for an ageing population and obesity research - some of the biggest challenges facing healthcare today and in the future.