The latest round of funding from the Wolfson Foundation totals over £17 million.
Major research infrastructure projects include £1.5 million awarded to the University of Birmingham to refurbish a building which will house its Institute for Mental Health. This will create new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers spanning psychology, psychiatry, philosophy, health economics, epidemiology, geography, neuroscience, public health, sport and exercise science and social policy, as well as enhancing co-production by creating dedicated space for the Institute’s Youth Advisory Group.
An award of £500,000 was made to an important and intriguing piece of research technology: a National Engineered Slope Simulator at Loughborough University. This facility will simulate various climate conditions and test soil mechanics on slopes (such as railway cuttings) and will be able to replicate landslides. Landslips and mudslides cause thousands of deaths worldwide, as well as extensive damage to infrastructure, therefore research into causes will enable work to be done to detect early signs and prevent loss of life and destruction.
As organisations increasingly rely on digital communication, both in their response to and recovery from the pandemic, we have been pleased to support a number of capital projects which have demonstrated cutting-edge ideas for their spaces. Examples include:
The Royal College of Music have received a grant of £200,000 for a technical fit-out of performance and recording studios in their major new building
Liverpool City Council’s St George’s Hall has been awarded £50,000 for an imaginative heritage project which will re-create parts of the Hall digitally, using methods such as holograms to engage and educate visitors to this extraordinary neo-classical building.
Theatres are also being ambitious in their use of digital technology to engage audiences. In Coventry, Belgrade Theatre has received £50,000 towards a new performance and education venue. Integrating physical performance spaces and the latest technologies, the new venue will provide a creative and flexible digital space for young people and build on the Theatre’s role during City of Culture 2021.
In North Berwick in Scotland, Leuchie House, which provides breaks for people living with severe long-term health conditions and their families, has received an award of £48,000. This will allow for the development of a flat enabling people with neurological conditions from across Scotland to be assessed and to trial assistive technology.
To see a full list of our awards, please visit What We’ve Funded
