Impact case studies

The Oxford Impacts series celebrates the range of impacts the University has on the world of policy, health, business and culture. All of this is enabled by the world-leading research of Oxford academics. This set of case studies showcases academic research, across a range of subjects, that has had an impact on the world.

If you know of some impact from Oxford research which we should showcase please contact the Innovation and Engagement Team.

reconstruction of Palmyra’s Arch

Whose Heritage, Whose Reconstruction?

Dr Judith McKenzie’s convictions about the ‘intangible heritage’ vested in historic sites by those who live among them are shared by other Oxford academics.

SOPHIA Team University of Oxford

SOPHIA: Helping private companies reduce poverty

Researches from the University of Oxford are developing ways to help businesses tackle poverty across the world.

Powis Castle

The National Trust Partnership: Connecting cutting-edge Oxford University research with the National Trust’s places and collections

A look into the collaborative partnership between the National Trust and Oxford University research.

bluetooth logo

Identifying and fixing critical design flaws in Bluetooth

Oxford University research uncovered critical flaws in the Bluetooth standard implemented in billions of devices worldwide.

Side view of Palmyra’s Monumental Arch

Lighthouse in a Storm

One timely innovation by Oxford University is offering a second life for historic monuments and other heritage sites destroyed in current conflicts in the Middle East and beyond.

EAMENA aerial shot

Archaeology from Above

The vast scope of EAMENA – Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa – belies its origins in a smaller venture to document the ancient heritage of Jordan from above.

Aleppo, Umayyad (Great) Mosque courtyard

Why Oxford archaeologists dream of seeing the Palmyra Arch rebuilt by Syrians.

As Islamist militants are driven finally out of their captured strongholds, Oxford archaeologists have urged that the restoration of damaged historic sites be made a priority.

MB Wellcome exhibition

Misbehaving Bodies: challenging perceptions of illness, death, and disability

The Misbehaving Bodies exhibition brought together the work of two artists of different generations, Oxford University’s Oreet Ashery and feminist artist Jo Spence, who died with cancer in 1992.

Mosquito on net

Combating drug-resistant malaria

Oxford University research has contributed to strategies to eliminate malaria in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, helping to prevent the spread of drug-resistant malaria and improving health provision and outcomes for remote communities.

Image of gPen app being used to enter a Chinese character

Rough Paths: gaining insights and building solutions

Researchers in the Department of Mathematical Science are using the mathematics of ‘rough paths’ and signatures to enhance the analysis of complex streams of data – helping to identify practical solutions to real-world challenges.

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