Page 24 - Eclipse - Autumn 2015

Research News Research news
Huge success for the RVC on the REF
The results of the REF2014 (Research Excellence Framework), published on 18 December 2014, con rms RVC’s unique status in veterinary research. The proportion of the RVC’s research rated as internationally world leading (4*) or excellent (3*) increased to 79% in the REF2014 from 55% six years ago (RAE 2008).
In maintaining a large critical mass and inclusive approach to supporting both clinical and veterinary research, the College has sustained its position as third for its Unit of Assessment in the power weighting (out of 29 institutions). It is this weighting (quality multiplied by volume) that determines future research funding.
The REF2014 marked the rst time that long-term impact of research was judged alongside academic excellence. Over 63% of RVC’s impact return was scored as
4* which suggests that 5 of the 11 case studies submitted were gauged to have “outstanding reach and signi cance” more than any other HEFCE funded vet school.
All impact case studies submitted by the RVC generated impacts that have supported the advancement of veterinary science. The studies covered the broad
range of research conducted at the RVC demonstrating impacts spanning commercial and economic value; health and welfare advances with both veterinary and medical applications; social impact through public engagement; and developments in government policies and professional clinical practices of both national and international signi cance.
Professor Jonathan Elliott, Vice-Principal for Research & Innovation (pictured right) said of the results; “We are delighted with the progress of research at the RVC over the last six years - the high quality pro le we have achieved shows our recruitment and development
strategies have been very effective, with 82% of our REF eligible staff being included in our return. Fifty seven of the 112 academics (51%) in our return hold a veterinary quali cation ensuring veterinary knowledge and skills are informing our research and our veterinary students have excellent role models to inspire them to consider research as a career.”
Principal Professor Stuart Reid added: “We stated
in our submission that the RVC is a small, specialist institution with a critical mass of high-quality, forward- thinking scientists working in some of the most signi cant areas of our discipline. By focusing on
these strengths coupled with our enthusiasm to work collaboratively with researchers locally, nationally and internationally we have put our research mission in a strong and sustainable position. Our results clearly bear this out.”
The RVC walking with Giraffes
Scientists from the RVC’s Structure and Motion Laboratory are carrying
out a series of high-tech observations on the giraffes at Whipsnade Zoo to uncover the secrets behind giraffes’ unique movement and walk.
Using state-of-the-art equipment the team will closely monitor and record the step pattern and limb movement of the giraffes, cataloguing every movement they make. The RVC
scientists will be burying force-sensitive plates in the giraffes’ paddock and then will guide them across. As well as recording the force data, the giraffes will also be lmed by a set of GoPro cameras, digitally recording their unique movement.
The data collated will measure how much force
is produced by each limb when it strikes the ground, and when it pushes off again. Once the information
has been collected at the zoo, the movements will then be digitised using motion analysis software, and these data will used to paint a detailed picture of how a giraffe moves.