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Many diverse phenomena in the Sun's outer atmospheric layers depend on the dynamic interaction between plasma and topologically complex magnetic fields. This research proposal presents a major three-year assault on what have been termed the fundamental building blocks of this environment - namely plasma loops. These magnetic arches are observed over a wide temperature range (10,000K to millions of degrees), over a range of spatial scales (from our current instrumental resolution of a few arcsecs to sometimes stretching over a substantial portion of the solar disc and appear to exhibit dynamic behaviour down to the order of tens of seconds. It may even be the case that the 'loops' we observe consist of many sub-resolution plasma strands. The research proposed will link sophisticated hydrodynamic (HD) and magnetostatic (MS) modelling of solar atmospheric loops to the very latest space-based solar observations (from SOHO and TRACE) as well as lay important groundwork for future solar missions (SolarB, STEREO, SDO). In particular, the programme aims include (i) the construction for the first time of a fully HD, multi-strand loop model undergoing random heating bursts and the calculation of observables thereof; (ii) testing a range of diagnostic techniques used to calculate the temperature and density structure along loops; (iii) a thorough examination of the nature of cool, transition region loops and (iv) tracking the motions of magnetic flux fragment sources in high time resolution photospheric magnetogram data and analysing the consequence of this activity on the observed overlying magnetic loop canopy via EUV observations.

When human beings are getting older they may lose their ability to move freely in the environment. This decrease in movement ability can be the consequence of biological or psychological factors, or a disease of the neuromuscular system. As people age, there is a natural decrease in muscular strength, flexibility and the ability to maintain balance. Additionally, with aging, people may develop fear of falling or become less confident in their ability to move in unfamiliar surroundings. Finally, there are a number of neuromuscular diseases which become more common later on in life, like Parkinson, dementia, stroke or lower limb amputations impinging on one?s health. It is the aim of the participating scientists to investigate what the consequences are and how individuals cope at different stages in their lives with decreases in their ability to move or when they develop a neuromuscular disease. For example, we aim to investigate movement characteristics (biomechanical analysis) that change with ageing, as well as how these and neuromuscular diseases affect individuals? quality-of-life and general well-being. In addition, we would like to find out how certain factors like physical fitness, disease status, or resilience might influence the development of movement problems. The Network consists of academics from a number of prestigious higher education institutions with diverse backgrounds and expertise including biomechanics, psychology, medical engineering, movement science, and public health. The Network is supported by various health-care providers and community organisations with whom we collaboratively shape the research agenda. We propose to hold a number of joint meetings with all stakeholders to develop the course of the research. Initially, the different institutions involved will work in dyads to explore specific research targets. The overall aim of these dyads is to become familiar with the needs, expertise and scientific approach of all partners. Each dyad meeting will produce a position statement which will then be used to develop a full research programme. We expect working in such a way, novel research methodologies can be developed to investigate changes in movement behaviour as we age or develop a disease. The ultimate aim of the Network is to present healthcare providers with better treatment and intervention options which will help to maintain and/or improve movement ability of individuals as they age which in turn will improve general well-being and quality-of-life and the possibility to live an independent life.

The exclusion of deaf children and young adults from access to school systems in the developing world results in individuals and communities being denied quality education; this not only leads to unemployment, underemployment, low income, and a high risk of poverty, but also represents a needless waste of human talent and potential. To target this problem, this project extends work conducted under a pilot project addressing issues of literacy education with young deaf people in the Global South. Creating, implementing and evaluating our innovative intervention based on the peer teaching of English literacy through sign language-based tutoring, everyday real life texts such as job application forms, and the use of a bespoke online resource, enabled us to generate a sustainable, cost-effective and learner-directed way to foster literacy learning amongst deaf individuals. To reach further target groups and conduct more in-depth research, the present project extends our work to new groups of learners in India, Uganda, Ghana, Rwanda and Nepal, both in primary schools (ca 60 children in India, Ghana, and Uganda) and with young adult learners (ca 100 learners in interventions, plus ca 60 young adults in scoping workshops in Nepal and Rwanda). In the targeted countries, marginalisation begins in schools, since many have no resources for teaching through sign language, even though this is the only fully accessible language to a deaf child. This project intends to examine how we can change some of the dynamics that contribute to this, by involving deaf individuals in the design of new teaching approaches, and by using children and young people's everyday experiences and existing literacy practices as the basis for their learning. Participants in such a programme will not only develop English literacy, but "multiliteracies", i.e. skills in sign languages, technology, written English, gesture, mouthing, and other forms of multimodal communication. Developing a multilingual toolkit is an essential element of multiliteracies. Being 'literate' in the modern world involves a complex set of practices and competencies and engagement with various modes (e.g. face-to-face, digital, remote), increasing one's abilities to act independently. Our emphases on active learning, contextualised assessments and building portfolios to document progress will increase the benefit to deaf learners in terms of their on-going educational and employment capacity. Apart from the actual teaching and interventions, the research also investigates factors in existing systems of educational provisions for deaf learners and how these may systematically undermine and isolate deaf communities and their sign languages. Our analyses will identify the local dynamics of cultural contexts that our programmes and future initiatives need to address and evaluate in order to be sustainable. One challenge we encountered in the pilot was the lack of trained deaf peer tutors. There is a need for investment in local capacity building and for the creation of opportunities and pathways for deaf people to obtain formal qualifications. Therefore, at least four deaf project staff will enrol on an MA programme in Applied Linguistics/TESOL at our partner institution in India. We will develop training in literacy teaching and in research methods for all deaf project staff. We will also develop and adapt appropriate assessment tools and metrics to confirm what learning has taken place and how, with both children and young adults. This includes adapting the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for young deaf adult learners and the 'Language Ladder' for deaf children so that we use locally-valid test criteria. To document progress in more detail and in relation to authentic, real life literacy demands we need to create our own metrics, which we will do by using portfolio based assessments that are learner-centred and closely linked to the local curricula.

This interdisciplinary research network brings together academics, representatives from the creative industries, policy-makers, and activist groups to explore the legacies and possible futures of modern architecture: buildings like Birmingham Central Library, London's South Bank Centre, St Peter's Seminary and Preston Bus Station, whose future is currently being actively debated. In September 2013 Preston Bus Station was granted listed Grade II status following a sustained period of campaigning that involved conservation societies, architectural enthusiasts, local activists, artists, filmmakers and everyday bus users supporting this example of Brutalist architecture. Such widespread public support and interest in post-war modernism (although long the focus of architectural conservation societies) is a recent phenomenon. It took fifteen years of lobbying and campaigning to get Preston Bus Station listed, yet it was only in the last two years that the fate of this municipally owned building became something that garnered national and international attention. This is a reflection of the new and diverse interpretations of modern architecture that are now emerging, and of the novel activist and creative alliances that are being formed to celebrate and campaign for particular buildings and styles. Coming at a moment when post-war architectural modernism is the focus of growing interest, but is still controversial and contested, an examination of the possible futures of this building style is critical and timely. Drawing on the perspectives of academics, professionals and community groups, the network will ask, for example, how is modern architecture valued (economically, socially and politically)? Who is speaking out for this architectural style? What groups and alliances have formed around particular buildings threatened with demolition? What gets knocked down, what gets saved? Who decides - market forces or public opinion? How might modern buildings be adapted and reused if their original purpose is no longer relevant? What does listed status mean for modern buildings? A safe future, or being destined to be mothballed as examples of 'historic interest'? The answers will provide new directions for conservation and regeneration policy, academic debate, and creative practice.