Case studies
Our portfolio of case studies provides real-life examples of what the Solent Enterprise Centres can offer you and your organisation; they illustrate the kind of work we do and the results we can achieve.
Sport, Tourism and Languages
Tourism – Solent Forum
The client: The Solent Forum provides a platform for the delivery of integrated coastal zone management in the Solent region and offers advice on strategic issues that have implications for a wide area.
The project: We are working with the Solent Forum to carry out in-depth research into the recreational use of the Solent, and evaluate the impact on wildlife.
The three-phase project is on-going. Phase one - during which recreational ‘hotspots’ were evaluated - has been completed. Phase two is now under way, with the assessment of the impact of visitor numbers and activities on the survival rates of shorebirds along the Solent. In the final phase, the findings will be collated and analysed to establish the range of recreational activities taking place on the Solent and their impact.
The benefits: The Solent Forum has benefited from Southampton Solent University’s expert academic knowledge and experience in many areas, from wildlife to maritime activity. In addition, the involvement of University students, carrying out research work for the project in support of their studies, has enabled a wide range of detailed research and analysis to be carried out. This has given the Solent Forum a clear understanding of both the river Solent itself and the ways in which it is used.
The results: The results of the project will be available once phase three has been completed, providing all members of the Solent Forum a more in-depth understanding of the Solent and its use.
Sport – Bournemouth AFC
The client: AFC Bournemouth recently made use of the CHESS facilities throughout the build up to, and during, the football season.
The project: Players were put through their paces in a number of scientific tests to gain a detailed examination of their current level of fitness, including VO2max, lumbar strength, leg power, electrocardiograms, lung function, nutrition and body composition tests.
The benefits: AFC Bournemouth was able to access a holistic service offered by the sport science consultancy team. This was designed to provide professional, specific testing and training advice to improve the players’ fitness and general performance.
The experience was supported by current Sport Science students, offering them insight into real life employment. The opportunity to work with the players was welcomed by students: "It’s what I came to Solent to do. This has been a great opportunity," said second-year student James Steele.
The results: Analysis of the players’ strengths and weaknesses proved valuable in helping the team’s coaches to design, prescribe and implement specific and individual training programmes. By adopting this more specific approach it is anticipated that players will elicit an improvement in future fitness testing and perform better on the pitch.
Languages - ACI Normandie partnership
The client: Southampton Solent University has a long-standing relationship with ACI Ecole de Management Normandie through student exchange schemes such as Erasmus. ACI Normandie provides practical training for managers and entrepreneurs at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
The project: We welcomed five French students who took part in an 11-week English programme to improve their language skills and gain awareness of British culture and the higher education system.
The benefits: This English language programme forged a deeper working relationship between the two universities and enabled us to extend the use of our language facilities. In turn, Southampton Solent University students benefited from the opportunity to interact with international peers.
The results: In addition to developing the relationship between ACI Normandie and the University, the current offer may expand to other programmes both in Southampton and Normandy. It contributed to the international culture on campus, while allowing international students to experience the University at first hand.
Normandy Case Study|
Nigerian Case Study|
Innsbruck Case Study|
Chinese Teacher Training|
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships 
"I am writing to you to express my sincere thanks with all your support on this and to say how delighted I am that we have been successful in obtaining the KTP. This will make such a difference to us, having access to one of your professors, guidance and support on issues we are currently facing, will mean we can ensure we are delivering the right solutions to those communities in greatest need. It will also help with identifying, new income streams, which will be vital for our continued presence in Hampshire. It will also provide the associate with a unique development opportunity of working with a charity with access to business and community groups with guidance from myself and a highly regarded professor. Serkan has been a delight to work with, and I am very grateful for his unfailing support on this, always professional and has always delivered exactly as promised. "
Patricia Smith, Business in the Community
BITC KTP Case Study
Solent Productions
Over the past year we have undertaken some 150 filming and editing projects for a broad range of commercial and non-profit-making organisations. Challenges have ranged from filming and editing short interviews to be broadcast the same evening on BBC South Today, to a crew of 35 students being commissioned to produce seven documentaries for Glastonbury Film Festivals Ltd.
In addition to assisting external clients, Solent Productions is responsible for filming and producing material of the many exciting events that take place at the University.
Solent Productions|
Business and Professional Development Centre
Marwell Wildlife
A leadership and management development programme was created in partnership with the Head of HR and the Training Manager at Marwell Wildlife. The programme was designed to support 29 team leaders and managers with various levels of experience in making the successful transition to leading and managing teams.
The move from being ‘in the team’ to leading or managing the team is difficult for many people. The changes in one’s roles, relationships and responsibilities can be supported by understanding and working through the differences that moving into management create.
We delivered a series of interactive workshops designed to facilitate the transition to leading and managing other people, and highlight the difference between leading and managing a team.
British Army’s Adjutant General’s Corps
The Business School, in partnership with the British Army’s Adjutant General's Corps, has launched two new business courses specially designed to help soldiers at all levels develop their skills and channel them back into the Army.
The Foundation and Master’s degrees in Business Studies give soldiers and officers with the British Army’s Adjutant General’s Corps the opportunity to progress their careers or get an academic qualification for when they leave the Army. The flexibility of the course means that soldiers are able to fit their studies around their work anywhere in the world.
These programmes are aimed at developing the management skills of soldiers and officers in a range of transferable skills and key business and management functions, such as marketing, human resources, finance, risk, project and e-management. These skills can then be applied within the working environment.
This flexible programme is delivered using a combination of blended learning (through Southampton Solent University’s Virtual Learning Environment) and workshops to enable the students to access their learning 24/7, and minimise disruption in the workplace.
Colonel Jon Ward, Chief of Staff of the Directorate of Staff and Personnel Support, comments: “As an organisation we encourage and assist our soldiers and officers to develop themselves, and our partnership with Southampton Solent University is an excellent opportunity for our people. I am encouraged by the steps that the Business School has taken to meet our needs and the way that the courses are developing.”