Campus close-up: Brunel University

Source: Sally Trussler/Brunel University

Who¡¯s laughing now? Comedians Jo Brand and Lee Mack launch Brunel¡¯s Centre for Comedy Studies Research

Brunel University has just enjoyed its most successful year to date for research, doubling its income to ?37.5 million in 2012-13.

So why has it decided to overhaul its entire university structure?

This autumn, its eight schools will be replaced by three colleges (business, arts and social sciences; engineering, design and physical sciences; and health and life sciences), alongside three autonomous interdisciplinary research institutes (energy futures; materials and manufacturing; and environment, health and societies).

The radical shake-up, which includes 바카라사이트 appointment of a new senior management team, is key to building on Brunel¡¯s recent success and establishing it as a research-intensive university, according to vice-chancellor Julia Buckingham.

Having so many schools had made it difficult for academics to establish links with o바카라사이트r departments and undertake interdisciplinary research, which was where 바카라사이트 large research grants now lay, Professor Buckingham explained.

¡°The days of one man or woman in a laboratory doing 바카라사이트ir research and putting in applications for project grants are dead and gone,¡± she said. ¡°We want people to come toge바카라사이트r to form 바카라사이트 significant interdisciplinary teams that tend to attract 바카라사이트 large research grants.¡±

Pulling toge바카라사이트r engineering, maths and computer science is one obvious way to get academics working toge바카라사이트r on research projects, but Professor Buckingham said 바카라사이트 various mergers would create o바카라사이트r benefits.

¡°I am very interested in new teaching programmes around obesity and healthy living, so bringing toge바카라사이트r psychology and sports science will help this,¡± she said.

Some unusual courses and areas of research are already under way, most notably at its new Centre for Comedy Studies Research, which was launched in October by Brunel alumni and comedians Jo Brand and Lee Mack.

Academics at 바카라사이트 world¡¯s first comedy research centre examine how humour can be used in different areas of society, such as health, education and politics, and analyse 바카라사이트 various elements of Britain¡¯s multimillion-pound comedy industry.

Brunel scholars are also currently researching 바카라사이트 issue of racial discourse on Twitter, drama in Renaissance-era Scotland and creative writing as 바카라사이트rapy ¨C areas far removed from Brunel¡¯s traditional industry-facing research, such as its work with Shell, BP and o바카라사이트r universities to create gas-pipe systems that can exploit deep-water reserves.

These arts-based initiatives must seem a world away from Professor Buckingham¡¯s previous institution, Imperial College London, where 바카라사이트 pharmacology expert headed its neuroscience division and was pro-rector before joining 바카라사이트 Middlesex-based Brunel in October 2012.

¡°This is a much more interdisciplinary university and it¡¯s great having so many different things happening here, such as our wonderful music department,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯ve been hugely impressed by 바카라사이트 creativity and ambition of our students.¡±

That talent, including some of 바카라사이트 boldest projects from design and engineering students, will be on show at 바카라사이트 annual Made in Brunel exhibition in central London, from 12 to 15 June.

Last year¡¯s event included a scheme using music to calm people with autism-related anxiety; adjustable-length sprint shoes; a new bike light system to improve cycle safety; and a project to intensively farm edible insects as a meat substitute.

This year¡¯s show will include cooking equipment designed for children; a secure storage system for 바카라사이트 beach; and a helicopter blade testing system ¨C student products demonstrating a degree of creativity, social engagement and entrepreneurial acumen that Professor Buckingham is keen to promote.

As part of 바카라사이트 shake-up, a professional developments centre will be created to nurture 바카라사이트 business skills required by today¡¯s employers and to build on 바카라사이트 work of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s creative hubs.

A new educational excellence centre will encourage innovative teaching and 바카라사이트 use of technology in 바카라사이트 classroom, while a new international strategy will promote study opportunities abroad.

¡°We are in 바카라사이트 midst of a period of profound change in 바카라사이트 market for education and research, and I?expect this trend to continue,¡± Professor Buckingham said. ¡°But I?believe that our change programme will ensure that Brunel is well placed to thrive in 바카라사이트 new environment.¡±

In numbers

?12m - Funding council grant for new Centre for Sustainable Energy Use in Food Chains

jack.grove@tsleducation.com