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Research Spotlight

Here are some of our research projects with major impact on society, culture and the economy. New videos are added here regularly, so keep checking back.

Creating the Staffordshire Hoard replicas

In a joint project between the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC) and Birmingham Museums Trust, craftsmanship meets cutting edge technology to bring museum visitors closer to the famous Staffordshire Hoard than ever before.

As part of the opening of the new Staffordshire Hoard Gallery at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) in October 2014, the team at the JIIC created replicas to enhance visitors' experience of Staffordshire Hoard at the new gallery. Watch the video to find out more.

Sixteen replicas of the most dramatic Staffordshire Hoard objects are needed by Birmingham Museums Trust. To donate, please visit the BMAG website or call +44 (0)121 348 8293. 

The use of vibrations in behavioural change

This innovative 'vibrating suit' demonstrating vibrotactile technology has been developed by Stephen Wanless, Director of the Centre for Posture, Movement and Handling.

The suit has helped health professionals and athletes alike to improve posture and avoid injury.

Creating the Cheapside Hoard replicas

The team at the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC) worked on the Cheapside Hoard to create replicas, so these ancient treasures can become more accessible to museum visitors and even become tactile handling exhibits. The replicas were part of the Cheapside Hoard exhibition at the Museum of London in 2013-14.

Zero carbon retrofit housing

Over the past few years the research carried out by Professor Lubo Jankovic and his team in the Birmingham School of Architecture has made a significant impact on zero carbon retrofit housing.

Following on from experimental research on a unique Birmingham Zero Carbon House, the Retrofit Plus project will showcase how to convert more solid wall houses to zero carbon.

Sustaining Britain's Peatlands

Sustainable Uplands was a collaborative project involving Birmingham City University and several others, to help people adapt to change in the UK's uplands, and find ways of financing the restoration of Peatland habitats.

The research led by the University resulted in the launch of the UK Peatland Code in 2013, to help preserve and restore these habitats that are crucial to our ecosystem.

Influencing the American legal system

Research in the Centre for American Legal Studies (CALS) at Birmingham City University has helped to influence legislation, policy and practice in the USA in areas such as the death penalty and wrongful convictions.

Sarah Cooper of CALS (featured in the video) specialises in research in forensics in relation to wrongful convictions, and particularly those related to forensic science. Research by Jon Yorke of CALS has raised awareness of issues surrounding the death penalty, and informed related policy in the EU.