The Team- Universities and Depts
Lancaster’s School of Computing and Communications is the project leader and is internationally recognized for its work in software and systems engineering, ubiquitous computing, middleware and networking. In the 2008 RAE, 80% of its research was judged to be internationally excellent, and league tables based on the RAE consistently rank the department in the top ten across the UK. The department is based in Infolab21, a £15m research, development, and innovation centre offering state-of-the-art facilities for research and training. It has strong international and industrial research links with NatWest bank, Xerox, IBM, BT, Computer Associates, SICS, GMD, GPT/Marconi, Digital, NCR, Phillips, Thompson, TNO, Division and BICC.
Brunel’s School of Engineering and Design (SED) is renowned for its fundamental and applied research in many areas including electronic and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, design/engineering management, human-centred design, computer aided design, and environmentally sensitive design. In the 2008 RAE, 49% of academics were officially ranked as internationally excellent and 95% of academics in the School achieved the international standard. The facilities and equipment at Brunel University are among the finest of any engineering and design school in the country. The School is a co-host of Design Plus, a London-based business and knowledge transfer network.
Coventry University was selected by HEFCE in 2008 as one of eight HEIs (from 129) demonstrating excellent practice. The University Strategy was commended for its innovative approach to managing and developing strategic partnerships. It has been working with Coventry City Council on a number of digital economy initiatives concerned with regeneration of the urban environment. Central to all these multidisciplinary applications is a commitment from technology providers and user groups to work together to create more inclusive, sustainable environments, especially for those groups whose voices are not currently heard.
The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE) at the University of Manchester is one of the largest Engineering schools in Europe. It ranks in the top ten in the UK in the recent RAE results. The school serves a diverse range of industry sectors including aerospace, civil, process industries, medical, nano-engineering, environment, transport and nuclear. The Extreme loading and design group investigates the safety of society in the event of accidents, natural disasters and terrorist attacks; its project management team looks at the life of buildings and infrastructure from design to operation and ongoing adaptation to the requirements of society.
