{"id":19199,"date":"2016-08-16T15:10:01","date_gmt":"2016-08-16T15:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/taiwan\/?post_type=press-release&p=19199"},"modified":"2017-10-19T07:15:26","modified_gmt":"2017-10-19T11:15:26","slug":"aecom-university-salford-announce-new-research-partnership","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/tw\/press-releases\/aecom-university-salford-announce-new-research-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"AECOM and the University of Salford announce new research partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"

16 August 2016<\/b>: Global infrastructure services firm AECOM and the University of Salford have today launched a new research partnership with the aim of improving understanding of how major infrastructure programmes interact with the natural environment. Given the UK\u2019s ambitious infrastructure pipeline, developing industry\u2019s knowledge of this topic will be increasingly important for future programmes. The organisations will jointly fund environmental research on topics directly applicable to major infrastructure projects. The research areas will be chosen to provide benefits to particular schemes, and to help reduce adverse impacts and improve outcomes for the natural environment on future projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

The partnership has evolved from the environmental consultancy work AECOM is delivering for the Mersey Gateway Project, a major new transport scheme and one of the largest infrastructure projects in the UK. The company is providing specialist environmental advice and monitoring to help manage the impact of the new route on the environment. The work is part of AECOM\u2019s design joint venture with UK consultant Flint & Neill to deliver detailed design consultancy services to the Merseylink consortium, which was awarded a contract to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the scheme for Halton Borough Council.<\/span><\/p>\n

The project includes a new six-lane toll bridge over the River Mersey and part of AECOM\u2019s work has focused on the complex and sensitive estuarine environment. Realising that new research about the impact of infrastructure schemes on such habitats would be beneficial to the project and to industry, AECOM and the University of Salford have formed a partnership to explore opportunities for appropriate research.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the new partnership, AECOM and the University of Salford will co-fund research that could lead to PhD studies and scientific papers. Research areas could include exploring potential issues for wildlife when working in areas with contaminated sediments; predicting disturbance to sensitive species from construction activities; and investigating perceptions of biodiversity within construction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Peter Skinner, Chief Executive \u2013 Environment & Ground Engineering, Europe, Middle East, India and Africa, AECOM, said: \u201cShaping research so that it is applicable to specific projects provides students with opportunities to make a tangible difference to both academia and industry through their learning. Greater collaboration between universities and the private sector will make an important contribution to mitigating the impact of infrastructure on the environment and protecting the natural world. AECOM is proud to be working with the University of Salford on this initiative to increase understanding of the environmental and ecological aspects of infrastructure projects.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Professor Nigel Mellors, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Salford, said: \u201cThis partnership will provide a unique opportunity for both parties. It fits into our aim of focusing our research at real life challenges and to deliver real life impact for society. It will also give our students the chance to get involved in a live project and help them develop key skills for industry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The partnership was signed by AECOM\u2019s Peter Skinner and Professor Nigel Mellors at a special ceremony at the University of Salford, which was attended by representatives from both organisations.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Media Contact:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rachel Brierley<\/span><\/p>\n

Direct: +44 (0)207 8214 166<\/span><\/p>\n

Mobile: +44 (0)7920 533 198<\/span><\/p>\n

About<\/b>\u00a0AECOM<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

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AECOM is built to deliver a better world. We design, build, finance and operate infrastructure assets for governments, businesses and organisations in more than 150 countries. As a fully integrated firm, we connect knowledge and experience across our global network of experts to help clients solve their most complex challenges. From high-performance buildings and infrastructure, to resilient communities and environments, to stable and secure nations, our work is transformative, differentiated and vital. A Fortune 500 firm, AECOM had revenue of approximately $18 billion during fiscal year 2015. See how we deliver what others can only imagine at aecom.com<\/span><\/a> and @AECOM.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-19199","press-release","type-press-release","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/tw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/19199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/tw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/tw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press-release"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/tw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/19199\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/tw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/tw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=19199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}