EDITORIAL CONTENTS
Science and learning – the well of optimism
As the months have passed , references to ‘ our changed world ’ have almost become clichéd , such has been the long duration of the COVID-19 pandemic . Few people remain untouched by its disruption and tragedies . Without discounting the enormity of the health crisis , there has , in the main , been a positive ‘ sleeves up ’ response by people , institutions and industries . The higher education sector in particular has risen to the challenge , keenly aware of its responsibility to equip society to manage the health , social and economic challenges now and into the future . For the University of Portsmouth , knowledge creation and problem solving are our raison d ’ etre and a pandemic brings this into even sharper focus . Our research teams were on the front foot at the very beginning , applying their skills to support the health and wellbeing of people and businesses . This has been a natural extension of our ongoing research and education activities , which we continue to profile in this latest issue of SOLVE magazine .
Our mission is to create , share and apply knowledge to make a difference . We are proud to shine light on the groundbreaking achievements of our people and , by extension , the Portsmouth community , which stands globally as a centre of excellence in so many fields of endeavour .
Some of the research covered in this issue spans the full breadth of knowledge pursuit , from the frontier of astrophysics delivering new insights into the cosmos and our place in it and the use of space tools – satellites – for delivering fast , effective disaster response in developing countries , to fundamental human needs ; science that tangibly supports physical and mental wellbeing . You will meet in these pages extraordinary people whose ingenuity and services to humanity are inspiring – restoring physical mobility and its attendant mental wellbeing to lives upended by accident or disease ; creatively using theatre to help returned service men and women manage the emotional wounds inflicted in today ’ s conflict zones ; even using new insights and methods to solve crime .
The University of Portsmouth also has a strong presence , internationally , in environmental science ; our research into reducing plastic waste is a benchmark for this worldwide effort . Similarly , resources sustainability is at the core of our research into less obvious , but just as damaging , activity such as the colossal waste in the world ’ s fashion industries .
And did you know that , despite assumptions arising from the sinking of the Titanic , hypothermia rarely causes drowning ? Given Portsmouth ’ s maritime history , it is as apt as it is meritorious that busting this myth has led to scores of lives now being saved around our shores every year .
As we ponder an uncertain future , I hope this glimpse into the University and of its people will remind us that learning does not stop . It is why the future offers hope and why science and education are the fount of optimism .
Professor Graham Galbraith Vice-Chancellor University of Portsmouth
03 |
HEALTH AND |
WELLBEING |
03 |
The mechanics of wellness |
04 |
Virus versus human ingenuity |
07 |
From frontlines to footlights |
08 |
Lifesaver in a lab coat |
10 |
Reaching out to children in limbo |
12 |
Slacktivism flexes its political |
muscle |
14 |
SPACE |
15 |
How I wonder what you are |
18 |
Model of light |
20 |
Space technology helping |
Earthlings to survive |
22 |
Messages from time |
COVER PHOTO : 123RF
ENQUIRIES Research and Innovation Services RIS @ port . ac . uk
PRODUCTION Written , edited , and designed by the University of Portsmouth and Coretext ( coretext . com . au )
Copyright University of Portsmouth , all rights reserved Read articles online and find out more information at www . port . ac . uk / solve
The information in this publication is correct at the time of going to print , January 2021 . Views and opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily represent the corporate view of the University of Portsmouth .
University of Portsmouth Issue 02 2021
Published regularly by the University of Portsmouth , Marketing , Advancement and Communications Department , Mercantile House , Hampshire Terrace , Portsmouth , PO1 2EG , UK
SOLVE ISBN : 978 1 86137 675 6 ( Print ); ISBN : 978 1 86137 676 3 ( Online )
SOLVE is printed using vegetable-based inks on paper from sustainable , renewable sources and is fully recyclable . That includes the material used to laminate the covers , which is made from plant cellulose , not plastic . All better for the planet – and that ’ s good for all of us .
24 SUSTAINABILITY 24 From rags to environmental riches
25 Pandemic spills into ocean health
26 |
RISK AND SECURITY |
26 |
Data detective puts information |
to work |
28 |
The science of questions that cut |
to the chase |
30 |
Justice takes a memory trip |
32 |
Lessening the risk of nature ’ s fury |
34 |
Criminals open up to |
a VR show-and-tell |
The University of Portsmouth , like all universities and research institutions , is responding decisively to the coronavirus pandemic . As far as possible , research and teaching have been moved online to limit the disruption to people ’ s work and studies . As we meet this unprecedented challenge we are mindful that our responsibility to the future has never been greater . Research and education will be two crucial bulwarks as the world returns communities and economies to health with confidence .
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ISSUE 02 / 2021