Research in real life How Universities have contributed in the fight against Covid 19. Aims

- To understand the contribution students, academics and staff in Universities have made in the battle against Covid 19.

- To understand the different types of research being conducted.

- To understand why Universities are important in this pandemic. #WeAreTogether

#WeAreTogether is a campaign that highlights the incredible work Universities are doing in the fight against Coronavirus.

Universities across the UK (and the world) are carrying out unprecedented work to fight Covid 19, whether that be via staff, research or manufacturing equipment. This movement is like no other documented and so the #WeAreTogether campaign showcases how everyone in society is benefiting from our Universities. #WeAreTogether Tweets Oxford University heads up research on Covid 19

Where would we be without our Universities?

Oxford University is leading the way in pioneering research against the virus. Here are a few examples of their research. University contribution

Universities including staff, academics and students have been hugely beneficial in the fight against Coronavirus. 1) Research, vaccines & testing What would the battle have looked like without our Universities? Considering the significant impact they have had so far? 2) Resources & people power

It’s highly likely that a report will be released in years to come that investigates the true input 3) Supporting through the crisis (students & the of our Universities. community

To get an idea as to the types of offerings the Higher Horizons partner Universities have contributed, we have broken down just a fraction of their support into 3 categories: - Research, vaccines & testing Keele University

Researchers have volunteered to help the UK’s effort to increase coronavirus testing.

• Keele students community have joined a team of highly qualified experts driving the UK’s effort to increase coronavirus testing at the new Lighthouse Lab at Alderley Park in Cheshire, led by Medicines Discovery Catapult, where they test tens of thousands of samples for Covid-19 infection.

More information can be found here: https://www.keele.ac.uk/pharmacy- bioengineering/aboutus/news/2020/may/ Keele University

Biomedical engineers are leading a project to unite engineers from across the world to help mass production of ventilators and testing surgical masks.

• Professor Ogrodnik said: “As institutions we have access to some of the best engineering design minds in the world, some of whom are at home with time on their hands. We are suggesting that they could supply some of their spare time to focussing on solving the problems deriving from the More information can be found here: Covid-19 outbreak.” https://www.keele.ac.uk/discover/news/2020/april/keele-supports- national/effort-against-coronavirus.php Somerville College (Oxford University)

Has published guidance for clinicians helping patients with covid-related anxiety, and advice on managing patients with diabetes during the pandemic.

• Routine care of diabetes will be significantly disrupted. Interventions to improve self-education for diabetes may be limited but text-message interventions and self- More information can be found here: monitoring of blood https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/news/coronavirus-somerville-medics-stepping-up/ glucose are the most promising strategies. Somerville College (Oxford University)

They have also helped carry out a COVID19 vaccine trial.

• A fifth-year student who also teaches pre-clinical Somerville students, has been helping carry out a COVID19 vaccine trial and to coordinate to Oxford’s Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, assisting tutor and Somerville alumna Dr Liz Morris. More information can be found here: https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/news/coronavirus-somerville-medics-stepping-up/ Staffordshire University

75 students, all training to become Biomedical Scientists through a Degree Apprenticeship, are supporting with COVID-19 testing.

• The students are based in hospitals as far as Hull and Plymouth, including several working in the laboratories serving St Thomas’ Hospital in London where the Prime Minister was receiving treatment. At the Royal Stoke Hospital, 10 students are working in laboratories undertaking COVID-19 testing and supporting clinical services across the Trust. More information can be found via this link: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/news/2020/04/degree- apprentices-join-covid-19-testing-frontline Staffordshire University

A Professor at the University has played a pivotal role in designing a field ventilator to save lives in developing countries

• Professor Nachi Chockalingam said: “This is a rapidly escalating situation and there is an urgent need for ventilators in low and middle income countries (LMIC). We know from our work with clinical partners from various regions that there will be a much greater need over the coming weeks and months due to the More information can be found via this link: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/news/2020/04/field-ventilators- rapid spread. developed-to-treat-covid-19-patients-in-developing-countries Harper Adams University

Research has begun into a drone spraying trial – this would involve specialists using drones to spray disinfectant in Covid 19 infected hotspots.

• Agricultural spray drones have been in use for a number of years in countries such as China, India, and the USA. While European regulations prohibit their use, Harper Adams University has been conducting trials, in association with government authorities and other partners, to enable their use for crop protection and weed control within the UK.

More information can be found here: https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/203486/could-spray- drones-be-used-to-tackle-covid19-infection-hotspots Resources & people power Chester University

Dietetics students have volunteered to support the NHS.

• Sian O’Dell, final year Nutrition and Dietetics student at the University of Chester, said: The power of food and nutrition in all of our lives is essential for our health and can significantly aid patient recovery. Dietitians are an extremely important part of the patient care process.” More information can be found here: https://www1.chester.ac.uk/news/dietetics-students-answer- %E2%80%98call-arms%E2%80%99-against-covid-19 Chester University

Staff have been involved in projects to produce protective face shields using 3D printers for NHS & social care workers.

• The printers are now being run by the Faculty of Science & Engineering to produce the much needed durable and reusable face visors for staff on the frontline. To date over 500 face visors have been produced for Chester Hospital and Aintree University Hospital.

More information can be found here: https://www1.chester.ac.uk/news/producing-face- visors-frontline-healthcare-workers Chester University

Staff from Science & Engineering have provided a key ingredient for hand sanitiser.

• Director of Weetwood Ales, Phil McLaughlin said: “We were struggling to source hydrogen peroxide to distribute our hand sanitizer. That’s when we approached the University of Chester on the off chance that they had any stock in their laboratories. We were thrilled at how quickly they responded.

More information can be found here: https://www1.chester.ac.uk/news/support-distillery-producing- hand-sanitiser-frontline-health-workers Reaseheath College

Using a 3D printer Reaseheath have produced attachments which make surgical facemasks more comfortable to wear.

• Andy Gould, has programmed his department’s 3D printer to make adjustable plastic clips which fit round the back of the head and have fixings for the elastic loops of the face mask. The design takes the pressure away from the back of the wearer’s ears while continuing to hold the mask securely.

• Hundreds of the clips have been distributed across Cheshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire. They are so popular that there is More information can be found here: a current waiting list for over 300 https://www.reaseheath.ac.uk/staffs-efforts-make-a-difference- to-frontline-nhs/ University of Derby

Have donated of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to hospitals that was developed at the University's Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering

• Goggles, gloves, surgical masks, protective suits and cleaning materials would ordinarily have been used by nursing, allied healthcare, biomedical and forensic students, in the University’s labs.

More information can be found here: https://www.derby.ac.uk/news/2020/university-donates- ppe-to-derby-and-burton-hospitals/ Keele University

Keele have donated PPE from its teaching laboratories to the frontline workers.

• “Professor Horrocks said: “We hope that the stocks held at Keele University can be donated to those working in the charitable sector who are providing care as well as schools providing emergency childcare cover.”

More information can be found here: https://www.keele.ac.uk/discover/news/2020/march/lab- supplies/equipment-healthcare-workers-coronavirus.php Keele University

Keele Pharmacy academics are making hand sanitiser on campus

• Academics & technicians from the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering have offered their expertise and the University’s laboratories to produce more hand sanitiser. Using a World Health Organisation approved formula, the team will produce sanitiser to support the needs of the local University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust.

More information can be found here: https://www.keele.ac.uk/coronavirus/response/ourcontributions/pharma cy-laboratories/pharmacy-hand-sanitiser-coronavirus.php Shrewsbury College

Staff have provided hundreds of items of PPE.

• Dr. Martin from Severn Fields Medical Practice said: “I would like to thank the College for the equipment for frontline staff. This has been invaluable at a time when such PPE is in short supply and has enabled medical staff to continue to provide the level of care to our patients.”

More information can be found here: https://www.scg.ac.uk/news/1506-college-supports-the-local- community-during-covid-19-crisis Staffordshire University

Paramedic Nursing students have been working with West Midlands Ambulance Service in vehicle preparatory roles.

• West Midlands ambulance service have been working with its local university partners - Staffordshire, Coventry, Worcester, Wolverhampton and Birmingham City to recruit around 200 third year paramedic students. • These students who are just weeks away from qualifying have spent thousands of hours on ambulances.

More information can be found here: https://bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/news/student-paramedics-and- volunteers-enable-west-midlands-ambulance-service-to-double-its- crews-at-bromsgrove-hub-18312/ Staffordshire University

Visor parts, 3D printed by the University’s Smart Zone, are being distributed via the 3DCrowdUK project.

• LEP chairman Alun Rogers said: It is fantastic to see the university using its skills and expertise in this way to support the national effort during the coronavirus crisis. We’re proud of our universities and colleges for what they deliver in terms of providing essential innovative skills.

More information can be found here: https://www.stokestaffslep.org.uk/staffordshire- university-technicians-help-3d-print-face-shields/ Warrington & Vale Royal College

Health & Social Care students are working on the frontline in a variety of care settings, providing vital help and support.

• Level 3 Health & Social Care and HNC (Higher National Certificate) Healthcare Practice students are working on the frontline in a variety of care settings across the local area, providing vital help and support.

More information can be found at: https://www.wvr.ac.uk/college-shows-appreciation-for- students-on-the-frontline/ Supporting through the crisis (students and community) University of Derby

Supplies of Ipads are helping keep hospital patients in touch with families

• A total of 25 iPads have been delivered to Chesterfield Royal Hospital for patients who are not able to see their loved ones while on the wards. • The hospital’s ICT and infrastructure team will configure the donated devices so that patients can connect to relatives using a variety of apps, including Facetime, Microsoft Teams and Zoom. More information can be found at: https://www.derby.ac.uk/news/2020/university-donates-ipads-to- chesterfield-royal-hospital/ University of Derby

Have donated food to Derby Community Covid Response Team after closing shops and coffee bars onsite.

• Reverend of St Alkmund’s Church, who is part of the response team, said: “This donation will be part of our ongoing initiative to feed the city’s most vulnerable people, and we are extremely grateful.”

• Derby Union said: “As a Union it is great to know that in such challenging times a small gesture More information can be found at: can help support such a large https://www.derby.ac.uk/news/2020/derby-union-of-students- amount of people.” donates-food-to-care-packages-for-citys-vulnerable-residents/ Keele University

A Keele student has collected 3,300 donation of essential toiletries to help vulnerable people across Staffordshire

• A final year Children’s Nursing student set up donation points across the campus which she collected every month and donated to local charities including the Gingerbread centre, Arch (women’s refuge centre) and local Trussell Trust foodbanks. To ensure the scheme is sustainable, donors are encouraged to give unwanted gifts and items that would expire before individuals could use them. More information can be found at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/discover/news/2020/april/student- donates/essential-toiletries.php Keele University

Keele have published a tips sheet for people coping with musculoskeletal pain and other long term conditions during the Covid-19 outbreak

• Experts were concerned that during these times of shielding and self- isolation, people musculoskeletal conditions – including arthritis and back pain will be staying at home and worrying about their joint pain symptoms getting worse and so have published a new tips sheet using the latest evidence. More information can be found at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/health/facultynews/2020/may/exp ert-top-tips/during-covid19-lockdown.php Staffordshire University

The School of Health and Social Care have created online learning resources to support nurses returning to the NHS

• The resources that explain common procedures such as catheterisation, taking bloods, drug calculations, moving and handling patients, plus potentially life- saving resuscitation procedures for Covid 19 infected patients – have already been shared with a number of regional NHS Trusts, whose numbers are set to be boosted by final-year nursing students and . retired NHS nurses.

More information can be found at: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/news/2020/04/uni-creates-online- resource-to-help-nurses-moving-to-nhs-frontline Staffordshire University

A student who founded the Better Together Community Support group, has helped deliver emergency food to families in need

• A community group has had Founded only in March 2019 Better Together Community group was helping around 10 families each week and has now had a 400% increase in the number of families asking for emergency food parcels. • Third year student Birgit says “"We have lots of offers from people willing . to help us with deliveries, people are More information can be found at: incredibly generous.” https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/meet- university-student-who-now-4073174 Warrington &Vale Royal College

A student for volunteering to run an online music group for members – ‘ukulele for beginners’.

• Health & Social Care student Ethan recently completed work experience at Making Space Health & Social Care Services, a national charity providing specialist care and support to people in their own homes has been praised by the charity for running an online music group for More information can be found at: people in their own homes, https://www.wvr.ac.uk/college-shows-appreciation-for- combatting loneliness. students-on-the-frontline/

Research opportunities

Dissertation

As well as teaching, Universities are a hub for research. This will vary depending on the Subject degree you choose. focused

The next few pages will take you through each one of these bubbles – showing the opportunities to engage in Extra Curricular research at University.

Postgraduate Dissertation

What is a dissertation and why do you do it? A dissertation is a piece of written work, that usually involves some kind of research project that you have chosen and conducted yourself. It shows that a student is capable of identifying and researching an area of interest and can demonstrate transferable skills such as resilience, communication, ICT skills and write an argument using a range of research methods.

When can you expect to do one? Not all subjects work in the same way, but generally you tend to start your dissertation in final year (which for most will be third year) and submit it in May.

Different types of dissertations for different subjects Dissertations can take different forms depending on the course. On the following slide, click on the Higher Horizons staff to see what their dissertation looked like. To make the speech bubble disappear click their face again. What did the Keele Higher Horizon team do for their dissertations?

“I studied History at University of “For my degree I combined 2 “My degree was Melissa Nottingham and in my third subjects into what is called a dual different to the majority year I had to hand in a 12,000 honours – Arabic and International and so it meant my word essay. I chose a subject relations, because of this I had a dissertation took another that included doing my own smaller dissertation of 8,000 words. A form too. I studied research outside of what was course that involves languages, Chemistry at University of Hinna taught in seminars.” may require you to complete a Leeds, but I did an variety of assignments for example integrated Masters. This speaking and listening in real life means my post scenarios.” graduate degree (see slide16) was Alex incorporated into the “I studied Events Management at Sheffield course and so I did a Hallam University – I had practical elements of year long research my course and so I had a 8,000 word dissertation project in a lab which I like Hinna. If you didn’t know what a dissertation then had to write a was before this presentation, then don’t worry! I 15,000 report/thesis for at Alice didn’t know what one was until final year of Uni the end.” and so I asked my lecturer for help.”

“I studied Education at Staffordshire University. My dissertation was different to the usual set up. I had an Action Research project for the entirety of my Sally course, which involved my sessions being observed in a practical setting. In my final year I submitted my Action Research project which incorporated assignments throughout the year combined with the research theory.”