Impact
The Centre's research progamme informs and influences policy in the areas of environmental science, cultural heritage and the content industries, including:
Freshwater biology and environmental science
The Centre’s research programme in digital libraries and research infrastructures has both informed and influenced policy in the area of freshwater hydrology, and more broadly in environmental science, by virtue of its collaboration with the Freshwater Biological Association.
The collaboration between CeRch and the FBA in projects such as the Freshwater Information Sharing network (FISHNet) (JISC) and the Demonstration Test Catchment (DTC) Archive (DEFRA) has improved the quality of information and advice available to government and regulatory authorities, leading ultimately to improved environmental standards and increased ability to comply with the EU’s Water Framework Directive.
Also of relevance to our impact in the area of the environment is collaborative work the Centre is undertaking with the Met Office on historic weather records.
Visualisation and cultural heritage
The Centre has developed a highly innovative research programme that spans the fields of digital cultural heritage, including visualisation and digital archival work, demonstrated through projects such as the Motion in Place Platform (MiPP), the East London Theatre Archive and Clustering and Enhancing Digital Archives for Research (CEDAR).
Influencing policy and management of digital content and media
The Centre conducs a research programme which has had demonstrable impacts in the management of digital assets, in the engagement of wider constituencies via digital media, including mass communication, and in influencing European thinking on curricula for data curation. The programme has not only disseminated best practice throughout the academic sector but has also facilitated and influenced practice in the public sector, including the BBC.