29
November
2017
|
00:00
Europe/London

New Institute for Risk and Regulatory Research

The University of Manchester and The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have today signed an agreement to launch an Institute for Risk and Regulatory Research.

The Thomas Ashton* Institute for Risk and Regulatory Research, which will be based at the University, is a unique partnership that draws on the combined reputations, knowledge and experience of The University of Manchester and the Health and Safety Executive. 

The Institute will act as a hub for risk and regulatory excellence, reaching out globally via its educational activities and acting as an authoritative source of health and safety knowledge and expertise.

Health and Safety practitioners from around the world will benefit from the knowledge and learning opportunities available at the Institute, returning to their own countries with enhanced understanding and competence, which can be used to improve local safety and health.

One of the Institute’s key aims is to take the lessons learned from four decades of incident investigations and research and make them accessible to industry. The work will help ensure that mistakes are not repeated as new technologies and industries emerge. Both partners are keen to bring new technologies to fruition safely and more quickly by addressing safety, health and regulatory barriers before they occur.

President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell
This is an excellent partnership that has the ability to develop, transform and shape Health and Safety research and policy and expertise for years to come. Partnering with such a reputable organisation such as the HSE is testimony to the University’s growing reputation in this area and is a reflection of the research expertise and practitioner-led excellence here at Manchester.
President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell

Professor Neil K. Bourne, Director of The University of Manchester at Harwell, and Co-Director of The Thomas Ashton Institute said: “Ashton is a ground-breaking Institute that will allow the world to transform health and safety, mitigate risk and fortify resilience through world-leading research and innovation, fundamental to industry and national economies.

“The Institute will be formally launched in April 2018, one hundred years since the University and HSE first worked together. It will act as a global focal point, conducting world–class science with international partners to minimise risk, maximise outputs and wellbeing in the workplace.”

HSE Chief Executive, Dr Richard Judge said: "We are excited by the opportunities that establishing this new Institute brings, and by the opportunity to cement and strengthen our long running partnership with the University of Manchester. This directly supports our regulatory activities. In creating an international centre of excellence for risk and regulatory research, we are also providing a focal point for working with others. As part of that, we will invite forward-thinking contributors to work with us on the Institute's future programmes to prevent work-related death, injury and ill health."

The University of Manchester President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, added: “This is an excellent partnership that has the ability to develop, transform and shape Health and Safety research and policy and expertise for years to come. Partnering with such a reputable organisation such as the HSE is testimony to the University’s growing reputation in this area and is a reflection of the research expertise and practitioner-led excellence here at Manchester.”

The Institute will transform industry to deliver a safer, happier workplace and make Ashton a recognised and respected international brand.

Share this page