Great Western Research

CURRENT STUDENTSHIP PROJECTS

The project titles listed below are the PhD studentships approved for funding by GWR, which are currently running.

If you would like more information on any of these research projects, please contact the lead academic at the lead HEI given below.

Please ignore the " magnifying glass" icon in the last column, as this function has now been disabled

ID Theme Project Lead HEI Industry Partner Lead academic    29   Applied Mathematics   New data collection techniques for enhanced estuarine flow and dispersion modelling   Bristol   The Environment Agency of England and Wales   Professor Paul Bates        118   Applied Mathematics   Long range inert tracer experiments and NAME dispersion modelling   Bristol   Meteorological Office   Dr Dudley E Shallcross        139   Applied Mathematics   Numerical Methods for Weather and Climate Models I: Coupling resolved scales to subgrid models   Exeter   Met Office   Prof John Thuburn        151   Applied Mathematics   Numerical Methods for Weather and Climate Models II : Elliptic Solvers   Bath   MET Office   Dr. R. Scheichl        161   Applied Mathematics   Modelling and stability analysis of lasers coupled to periodic nano-structures   Exeter   Bookham   Professor Peter Ashwin        235   Applied Mathematics   Analysis and numerical modelling of catchment connectivity and river response to environmental forcing   Exeter   Environment Agency   Dr Andrew Nicholas        236   Applied Mathematics   Coastal defences and biodiversity: examining the interplay between engineering design and ecological response   Exeter   Environment Agency   Dr Jasper Knight        250   Applied Mathematics   Dynamics of semiconductor lasers involving nanostructures   Bristol   Bookham Technology PLC   Professor Bernd Krauskopf        265   Applied Mathematics   Generic process control of biogas plants   Exeter   Electrolab Ltd.,   Professor Stuart Townley        270   Applied Mathematics   Representation of the mesosphere in the Met Office data assimilation system   Exeter   Met Office   Prof. John Thuburn        272   Applied Mathematics   Probabilistic modelling of customer behaviour using nature-inspired hybrid optimisation techniques   Bournemouth   British Telecom Group CTO   Prof. Bogdan Gabrys        319   Applied Mathematics   Novel Algorithms for Single End Fault Detection and Location on Low Voltage Underground Cables   UWE   Seba UK   Dr Hassan Nouri        358   Applied Mathematics   Resource Assessment Tool for Tidal Power Generation: Inter Array Modelling   Bristol   Garrad Hassan and Partners Limited   Prof. Alan R. Champneys        363   Applied Mathematics   Sun-Glint Correction of Marine Satellite Imagery by Radiative Transfer Model Inversion   Exeter   ARGANS Limited (Applied Research in Geomatics, Atmosphere, Nature and Space)   Prof. Peter Mumby        367   Applied Mathematics   Mathematical Modelling of Personal Rapid Transit Operations   Bristol   Advanced Transport Systems Ltd   Dr R. Eddie Wilson        158   Creative Arts   Quality Improvement of Film Media   Bristol   Granada-ITV   Dr Majid Mirmehdi        193   Creative Arts   Art and Heritage and the Context of Urban Renewal   UWE   Bristol Alliance   Claire Doherty        206   Creative Arts   Animator Controlled Behavioural Modelling and Animation   Bournemouth   422 Ltd   Jian Jun Zhang        254   Creative Arts   Stand & Stare: Curating & Commissioning contemporary art in a rural context   Gloucestershire   Forestry Commission   Professor Andrew Stonyer        256   Creative Arts   360 Degree Integrated Media production   Bath Spa   Touch Productions Ltd   Professor Martin Rieser        284   Creative Arts   The Ivor Gurney Archive   Exeter   Gloucestershire Archives (Gloucestershire County Council Libraries, Information and Archives)   Professor Tim Kendall (t.kendall@ex.ac.uk)        299   Creative Arts   The utilisation of NLP models of mind and of communication in the design of web-based presentations   Marjon   WinningTeam UK Ltd   Dr Peter EH Smee        321   Creative Arts   Network Media Distribution Systems   UWE   Fluffy Logic   Judith Aston        323   ICT   Safety of Human Robot Interaction -Novel concepts   UWE   Avian Technologies   Prof Alan Winfield        355   ICT   Robust Adaptive Algorithms for Relational Data Mining   Bournemouth   Screwfix Direct Ltd   Prof Bogdan Gabrys        357   ICT   Multi-gigabit wireless on multi-core processor   Bristol   ClearSpeed Technology Plc   Dr. Taskin Kocak        360   ICT   Computer-Aided Innovation for ICT   Plymouth   Mr Darrell Mann   Dr Paul Filmore        368   ICT   Game Theoretic Approaches to Achieving Distributed Exploitation of Multiuser Diversity   Bristol   Toshiba Research Europe Limited   Dr Simon Armour        371   ICT   Enhancing social presence within human-robot interaction through the snake-skinned robot arm   Exeter   OC Robotics Ltd   Dr. Mark Paterson        8   Materials   Safety of Critical Engineering Components in Transport and Energy Systems   Bristol   British Energy   Prof David Smith        77   Materials   Nanoparticles and nanocomposites for displays   Exeter   Hewlett-Packard Ltd   J R Sambles        90   Materials   B-stable Composite Materials for Structural Morphing - Bath   Bath   Airbus UK   Chris Bowen        92   Materials   Aeroelastic tailoring using novel composite laminates - Bath   Bath   Airbus UK   Dr H Alicia Kim        110   Materials   Damage monitoring of impacted self-healing CFRP composite laminates under cyclic loading - Bristol   Bristol   Airbus UK   Dr. Ian Bond        112   Materials   Analysis and optimisation of damage tolerant post-buckled composite laminates: Bath   Bath   Airbus UK   Dr Richard BUTLER        117   Materials   Novel Materials for fracture fixation devices   Exeter   CH Medical Ltd   Philippe Young        126   Materials   Analysis and optimisation of damage tolerant postbuckled composite laminates-Bristol   Bristol   Airbus UK   Dr Paul Weaver        127   Materials   Damage monitoring of impacted self-healing CFRP composite laminates under   Bath   Airbus UK   michele meo        129   Materials   New methods for understanding fatigue and damage tolerance of composites - Numerical Modelling   Bristol   Rolls Royce   Dr Stephen Hallett        130   Materials   Bi-stable Composite Materials for Structural Morphing - Bristol   Bristol   Airbus UK   Dr Paul Weaver        132   Materials   New methods for understanding fatigue and damage tolerance of composites - Analytical methods   Bath   Westland Helicopters   Dr Richard Butler        143   Materials   Aeroelastic tailoring using novel composite laminates - Bristol   Bristol   Airbus UK   Dr Paul Weaver        144   Materials   Diamond Glass polyphosphonate cements   Exeter   Kemdent - Associated Dental Products Ltd   Dr Oana Ghita        160   Materials   Research into Laser Transparent Ceramics   UWE   LISTechnology Ltd.   Professor Alan Jocelyn        164   Materials   New methods for understanding fatigue and damage tolerance of composites - Acoustic Emission   Bristol   Rolls Royce   Dr Ian Farrow        170   Materials   Robot Humanoid Hand: Sensors and Actuators in Autonomous Manipulators   UWE   Elumotion Ltd.   Prof Chris Melhuish        175   Materials   Autonomous Sensing: Developing ultra-high efficiency sensing.   Bristol   BAE Systems / Rolls Royce / Seeking SMEs   Dr. Bernard Stark        179   Materials   Molecular organisation at particle-polymer interfaces in nano- and micro- composites   Bristol   Imerys Minerals   Professor G C Allen        189   Materials   Novel Materials for fracture fixation devices   Exeter   Simpleware Ltd   Philippe Young        202   Materials   Engineering adhesion using nanomaterials and novel architecture polymers   Bristol   Revolymer Ltd   Professor Terence Cosgrove        223   Materials   Biomimetic engineering of structural white through anisotropic scatter in nanoscopic matter   Exeter   Imerys Minerals Ltd   Dr Peter Vukusic        228   Materials   Electrochemical Phosphate and Nitrate Biosensors   UWE   Atlas Genetics   Professor John Hart        238   Materials   Taking metamaterials towards the visible   Bath   QinetiQ   Stefan Maier        241   Materials   Design, manufacture and modelling of piezoelectric touch sensor   Bath   Renishaw plc   Chris Bowen        242   Materials   Taking metamaterials towards the visible   Exeter   QinetiQ   Bill Barnes        267   Materials   HIERARCHICAL COMPOSITE STRUCTURES FOR EXTREME DAMAGE TOLERANCE   Bristol   Rolls-Royce   Dr. Ian Bond        273   Materials   Aesthetic nanocomposite archwires   Bristol   The Orthodontic Company & GAC International   Dr A J Ireland        280   Materials   Innovative Technology for the Quality Control of Specular Ceramic Materials using a Specular Photometric Stereo Sensor   UWE   FIMA SI LTD   Dr Melvyn Smith        292   Materials   Developing innovative laminate tubing structures for use within peristaltic pumps.   Bath   Watson-Marlow Ltd   Michele Meo        293   Materials   Novel ceramic/metal functionally graded composites for hip resurfacing   Bristol   Corin Ltd   Dr Bo Su        295   Materials   Process modelling, simulation and optimisation for energy-efficient production   Exeter   British Ceremic Tiles   Professor David Z Zhang        296   Materials   HIERARCHICAL COMPOSITE STRUCTURES FOR EXTREME DAMAGE TOLERANCE   Exeter   Rolls-Royce   Dr Chris Smith        297   Materials   Thermosetting Auxetic Foams for structural integrity, damping and dynamics applications: modelling, manufacturing and testing   Bristol   Rolls-Royce   Dr. Fabrizio Scarpa        318   Materials   Novel Biomaterials: Towards A Cost-Effective Biosensor For The Multiplex Detection of Sexually Transmitted Infections   Bath   Atlas Genetics Ltd.   Dr Christopher G. Frost        320   Materials   Damage tolerance and multi-scale simulation of novel 3D composite materials   Bath   QinetiQ   Michele Meo        325   Materials   3D composites manufacturing and cost modelling and simulation   Plymouth   QinetiQ   Dr Stephen Grove        335   Materials   Vibration Isolation for Rotorcraft using Active Materials   Bath   Westland Helicopters Ltd.   Prof A R Plummer        345   Materials   Diamond Thermionic Converter for Concentrated Solar Power Generation   Bristol   Wind Prospect Ltd   Dr. Neil Fox        346   Materials   Fuel metering using active materials   Bath   Moog Controls Ltd   Prof A R Plummer        352   Materials   Nanoactivated Dental Composite Restorative Materials   Bristol   The Orthodontic Company   Dr A J Ireland        353   Materials   Development of Quantum Tunnelling Composite Sensors   Exeter   Theta Technologies Ltd   Dr A.S.H. Marmier        364   Materials   Formulation of Complex Material Structures for Tailored Mechanical Properties   Exeter   EADS Innovation Works   Professor Ken Evans        365   Materials   Design of Complex Geometrical Sub-structures for Tailored Mechanical Properties   Exeter   EADS Innovation Works   Professor Ken Evans        23   Psychology   Impact of Diving on Cognitive Function   Plymouth   DDRC   Prof Tim Perfect        131   Psychology   Dietary fatty acids and cognition in children   Bristol   Milk Direct Limited   Professor Bruce Hood        152   Psychology   Reflective ability and therapeutic effectiveness in adolescents with emotional and behavioural difficulties   Plymouth   Priory Education Services   Dr Philip Gee        231   Psychology   Consumer Choice in Treating Chlamydia   Bath   Actavis   Dr Marjorie C Weiss        233   Psychology   Optimising Decision Making in Obstetrics Teams   Gloucestershire   United Bristol Healthcare Trust   Dr Graham Edgar        237   Psychology   An investigation into the rationale and practice of juvenile firesetters in the South West Region.   UWE   AFRS: Avon Fire & Rescue Service (Mr Andrew Colgan)   Dr. Rachel Gillibrand C.Psychol        239   Psychology   Translating theory into practice: Improving the self-care behaviour and health of people with poorly controlled asthma   Exeter   Mid Devon Primary Care Trust   Dr Colin Greaves        244   Psychology   An investigation into socio-cognitive influences on driving behaviour in a sample of professional drivers   Exeter   Devon & Cornwall Safety Camera Partnership   Dr Cris Burgess        245   Psychology   Making Electronic Shared Workspaces that Work   Bristol   Hewlett-Packard (HP)   Professor Jan Noyes        246   Psychology   Developing effective safety culture interventions in the manufacturing sector   Bath   Howmet Limited   Dr Andrew Weyman        247   Psychology   Time Constrained Decision Making   Bristol   GCHQ   Dr. Martin Groen        248   Psychology   Safe and Sustainable Cities: the relationship between the built environment and social behaviour in a Fire Service context.   UWE   Avon Fire & Rescue   Christine Lambert        257   Psychology   Psychological and nutritional determinants of appetite and satiety for confectionery and snack foods   Bristol   Cadbury Schweppes, Somerdale Manufacturing Factory   Professor Peter J. Rogers        268   Psychology   Active workplaces   Bath   Sport England South West   Drs Brosnan and Weyman        274   Psychology   What helps and hinders maintenance of sports club participation   Bath   Sport England South West   Dr Edmund Keogh        275   Psychology   Psychological interventions in palliative care   Exeter   Hospiscare   Dr Edward Watkins        286   Psychology   Mobile contextual data for hands-on learning   Bath   ScienceScope   Dr. Danae Stanton Fraser        291   Psychology   Using Behaviour to Determine Welfare and Enrichment Criteria for Aquatic Environmental Protection Research   Exeter   Brixham Environmental Laboratory - AstraZeneca   Dr Rod W. Wilson & Dr. Lisa Leaver        342   Psychology   Many a slip on the e-shopping trip: why customers abandon purchases on e-commerce sites   Exeter   Aspidistra Software   Professor Stephen Lea        19   Sustainability   Towards Sustainable Communities: Building on Social Capital to Facilitate Regeneration   Exeter   Devon County Council   Professor Michael Winter        27   Sustainability   A decision support system for sustainable management of contaminated land   Exeter   Exeter Environmental Consulting Services   Dr Akbar Javadi        43   Sustainability   Sustainable Lifestyles and Energy Conservation: a social marketing approach   Exeter   Global Action Plan   Dr. Stewart Barr        47   Sustainability   Impact of future sea-level rise on the London-Penzance railway line   Plymouth   Cornwall County Council and Devon County Council   Dr Roland Gehrels        72   Sustainability   Sustainable management of upland peatlands   Plymouth   Exmoor National Park Authority   Dr Ralph Fyfe        116   Sustainability   The Role of Knowledge in Strategic Environmental Assessment in South West England   UWE   Bevan Brittan   Dr Laurence Carmichael        163   Sustainability   An investigation into the moisture performance of non-food-crop-construction materials.   Plymouth   JHA Innovation Ltd   Steve Goodhew        166   Sustainability   Survivability and Tuning of the SPERBOY Wave Energy Converter   Bath   Embley Energy Ltd   Deborah Greaves        171   Sustainability   Integration of climate change and local air quality management at a regional and local level   UWE   e-labs environmental Ltd   Professor James Longhurst        176   Sustainability   Mapping sustainability indicators to create a sustainability atlas for the South West   UWE   Geofutures   Peter Wyatt        182   Sustainability   The Potential Contribution of Utility and Leisure Cycling to the Sustainable Development of Integrated Transport and Tourism in   UWE   Great Western Trains Company Limited - First Great Western   Dr Graham P Parkhurst        198   Sustainability   A critical evaluation of community rail policy and practice on rural railways in the South West   Plymouth   First Great Western   Clive Charlton        208   Sustainability   Biomass Production and Use in the South West - Resource Assessment and Environmental Impacts   Bath   BICAL Ltd. - subject to Board confirmation   Professor Geoffrey Hammond        221   Sustainability   Utilisation of shellfish waste   Bristol   Seafish Industry Authority   Prof Geoff Allen        229   Sustainability   Sustainable management of minewater pollution from headwaters to estuaries   Plymouth   Environment Agency   Dr. Charlotte Braungardt        240   Sustainability   Developing Wood Fuel in the South West: Opportunities and Constraints   Exeter   Clinton Devon Estates   Professor Michael Winter        249   Sustainability   Towards a partnership approach in environmental governance: the case of carbon offset programmes   Plymouth   Moor Trees (www.moortrees.org)   Professor Geoff Wilson        261   Sustainability   Developing the use and understanding of biotic supplements in Homarid lobster culture to facilitate sustainable development   Plymouth   The National Lobster Hatchery (NLH)   Dr Simon Davies (reader in aquatic animal nutrition)        264   Sustainability   Policy and practice for sustainable carbon management of moorlands   Plymouth   Duchy of Cornwall   Professor Dan Charman        276   Sustainability   Developing sustainable masonry walling   Bath   Ibstock Brick Ltd   Prof. Pete Walker        277   Sustainability   Climate Change and the Tourism Industry in Cornwall: an environmental behaviour perspective.   Exeter   CoaST   Professor Gareth Shaw        281   Sustainability   Building Sustainable Communities in the South West’s Coastal Towns   Exeter   North Devon District Council   Professor M Goodwin        283   Sustainability   Development of sustainable binders for masonry construction optimised for carbon sequestration   Bristol   Castle Cement Limited   Prof Geoffrey Allen        303   Sustainability   Sustainable Agriculture - Biological control of crop plant diseases as a credible alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides   Exeter   Manor Fresh (Mack Multiples)   Dr Christopher R. Thornton        315   Sustainability   (Photo)Electrochemical Routes to CO2 Reduction   Bath   Johnson Matthey PLC   Professor Laurie Peter        317   Sustainability   Ecological footprinting for the Greater Bristol city-region.   UWE   Hewlett-Packard   Prof Colin Fudge        322   Sustainability   Microbial Fuel Cells for water treatment applications   UWE   Wessex Water Services Limited   Professor John Greenman        324   Sustainability   Implications of Free Senior Citizens’ Bus Travel for the Sustainability Contribution of Bus Networks in the South West   UWE   Stagecoach Devon   Dr Graham P Parkhurst        326   Sustainability   Fashioning sustainable supply chains   Bath   New Look Retailers   Dr Helen Walker        327   Sustainability   Sustainable SMEs: a supply chain perspective   Bath   Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)   Dr Helen Walker        333   Sustainability   The Sustainability of Salmon as a Resource in the South West of England   Exeter   Tamar Consulting   Dr Jamie Stevens        351   Sustainability   Development of a Resource Assessment Tool for Tidal Power Generation Devices: Regional Modelling   Plymouth   International Power plc   Dr. Daniel C. Conley        354   Sustainability   Enhanced energy efficiency in industrial waste water recycling systems   Bath   MecWash Systems Limited   Dr Tom Arnot        366   Sustainability   INDUSTRIAL ENERGY USE AND IMPROVEMENT POTENTIAL   Bath   EDF   Prof. Geoffrey Hammond