Professor Karen Burland awarded Research England funding

A team of researchers have received funding from the Research England Policy Support Fund

Several researchers from the University, including Professor Karen Burland (School of Music), along with co-investigators Professor David Hodgson (School of Earth and Environment), Professor Catherine Noakes (School of Civil Engineering) and Professor Maria Lonsdale (School of Design) have received funding from the Research England Policy Support Fund to communicate airborne virus transmission risks to UK Government and performance organisations.

The project will combine visualisations of exhaled breath with observation data from musicians and healthcare workers into accessible films to inform, support and promote policies in health and cultural settings. The films will be used to inform musical and performance organisations about warm-up, rehearsal and cleaning procedures for instrumentalists, and consider activities involving the voice (singing, acting).

Results from the research will also raise awareness of the benefits of wearing facemasks and inform good practice within healthcare settings.