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RoSPA Press Office : Press ReleaseJune 26, 2009 Innovative research projects looking into the scale and impact of child injuries in Nepal, the threat posed by cold water immersion and the effectiveness of a learner-driver coaching programme have been announced as the first recipients of funding awarded through a major scholarship scheme. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents established the scholarship scheme after BNFL (British Nuclear Fuels) donated £500,000 to fund research that will have a significant impact on improving safety in the UK and around the world. Thirty-two research proposals addressing key themes in road, home, work, water and leisure safety, safety education and risk communication were received in response to the first call for applications. PhD student Puspa Raj Pant, working under the supervision of Professor Elizabeth Towner, of the Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, University of the West of England, will receive £65,000 for a three-year study into the scale and impact of child injuries in Nepal. An award of £20,000 will be made to Professor Mike Tipton and Dr Martin Barwood of the University of Portsmouth for research aimed at reducing injuries in water and leisure activities through a better understanding of cold water immersion. A project evaluating Staffordshire County Council’s Young Drivers Coaching Programme, conducted by Irene Williamson of Staffordshire County Council and Dr Helen Wells of Keele University, will also receive £20,000. The RoSPA/BNFL Scholarship Scheme is believed to be one of the biggest accident-prevention scholarships ever funded. BNFL won many top awards from RoSPA for its commitment to health and safety and, now that nuclear power management has moved into the private sector, the scholarship will ensure its name lives on as a safety champion. Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA chief executive, said: “We were thrilled with the quality and diversity of applications received during this, the inaugural year of the RoSPA/BNFL Scholarship Scheme. “We are confident that the first set of research to receive awards through the scheme will produce results that will directly contribute to our mission, which is to save lives and reduce injuries. “We are immensely grateful to BNFL for leaving such a wonderful legacy.” It is envisaged that the RoSPA/BNFL Scholarship Scheme will run for 10 years, and up to three projects will be awarded grants annually. The researcher who produces the best work each year will receive a further cash prize as an added incentive for excellence. Information about applying for the 2010 round of awards will be available from November at www.rospa.com/occupationalsafety/occupational_health/bnfl_rospa_scholarship.htm Click here for more details of the three successful projects.
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