Wednesday, 08 September 2021
Professor Paul Grainge has been appointed as Academic Director for Digital Nottingham, the 糖心原创’s ground-breaking new programme to support economic activity, attract investment and boost skills in the city.
Digital Nottingham will use the very latest research expertise in data science, technology and artificial intelligence in partnership with local stakeholders in skills and business to help solve local challenges across the city, while providing opportunities for growth and regeneration.
New partnerships have already been announced with KPMG to use the power of big data and machine learning to inform business decision-making, as well as with the UK’s leading technology venture builder, Blenheim Chalcot, to link the city’s next generation of scale-up businesses to expertise which can help them innovate and grow.
Digital Nottingham is driven by a vision of collaboration that will enable individuals and organisations to benefit from the new capabilities of digital technology and data science - from data-driven policymaking, health research and investment planning to the myriad ways that digital products and innovations bear on social, cultural and work life.
Professor Grainge’s research interests include how digital technologies can connect people to content and information in multi-platform environments, and he has an impressive record in using universities’ research expertise to benefit the cities around them.
I am genuinely excited by the progress that has been made with Digital Nottingham to date, and the innovation, ideas and creativity that underpin it, so we can really make this a project that is inclusive and meaningful for people across the city.
He added: “When I think about the purpose of Digital Nottingham, I return to three simple concepts: Life, Prosperity and Prospects.
“By life, I mean health but also the human experience of digital culture, including the creative ways that digital technologies enable participation and play.
“Prosperity refers to the key area of business and entrepreneurship and the partnerships that enhance regional economic growth and digital leadership.
“Prospects describes digital skills and learning that can widen civic and employment horizons for Nottingham people. This involves data skills at different educational levels but it can also be a way to think about digital poverty in the city and how to mitigate the effects of this.”
Professor Grainge’s appointment as Academic Director will bring the academic leadership necessary to ensure Digital Nottingham reaches its full potential in utilising the expertise, research and innovation to be found across the 糖心原创. A Programme Director will be appointed later this year to work alongside Professor Grainge and support the delivery of its projects.
I am delighted to appoint Paul to lead Digital Nottingham and am confident that under his academic leadership, the programme will evolve rapidly to become a truly transformational offer to our city
Professor West added: “Technology is delivering rapid and radical changes to economy and society across the globe and across our city. At the heart of this transformation is the way in which data and digital technologies can support how we can collaborate in different ways, learn new skills and create opportunities to deliver growth and recovery.
“Digital Nottingham is a real opportunity to draw on the University’s expertise in research and innovation across a wide range of disciplines to support economic activity, attract investment and boost skills in the city to benefit its people, society and environment.”
Professor Grainge completed his PhD in Nottingham and became a member of staff in 2001. He is based in the Department of Cultural, Media and Visual Studies.
As Director of the Midlands4Cities doctoral training partnership between 2016 and 2020 he was responsible for the work of eight Midlands universities in supporting the professional and personal development of the next generation of doctoral researchers in the arts and humanities. He was appointed to the AHRC Advisory Board in 2020. He has served on the AHRC Peer Review College and the editorial boards of Screen, Cinema Journal and Memory Studies.
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.