Cooke & Arkwright
News
New public research centre for Cardiff University
14/07/09
In a property deal brokered by Cooke & Arkwright, Cardiff University has leased 11,200 sq ft at Museum Place, Cardiff, from Norton Evans Ltd. This follows closely on an earlier deal in which it acquired 14,500 sq ft at Deri House in Park Grove, representing two of the largest office deals in Cardiff this year.
The University is to base its new Research Centre of Excellence: the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer) at Museum Place. It will also be home to the Cardiff Institute of Society, Health and Ethics (CISHE) - under whose umbrella DECIPHer will operate.
Andrew Gardner of Cooke & Arkwright, who acted on behalf of the University said, “Museum Place is very close to Park Place, where the Social Sciences were spread between several addresses. The University appreciated the opportunity that the new premises presented. Apart from general decoration, there is nothing major to be done and as a result they will be able to take occupation relatively quickly. It forms part of the University’s strategy to consolidate disciplines within suitable premises when feasible, within close proximity to the main University buildings.”
DECIPHer, a major inter-disciplinary centre led by Cardiff University in collaboration with Bristol and Swansea Universities, was launched on 13th May and will receive £5m funding over five years. DECIPHer will bring together leading experts from a range of disciplines to help improve the health and well being of children and young people through public health improvement research.
Professor Laurence Moore is the Director of CISHE who leads DECIPHer. He said that operating under one roof would aid the progression of the research functions. “CISHE is a multi-disciplinary research centre with strong links with the Schools of Medicine and Law,” he said. “Its focus is on determining the general health and well-being of the population, and developing interventions and policies to improve public health. DECIPHer is a separately funded strategic partnership with the University of Bristol and Swansea University. It will focus on ways of preventing poor health in children and young people and tackling key issues relating to diet and nutrition; physical activity; alcohol, tobacco and drugs; sexual health; and emotional well-being.”
Around 65 study places for post-graduate PHD students and a special unit to provide training for Head Teachers in Wales will also be accommodated within part of the building when the university takes occupancy in June. Premises on Senghennydd Road vacated by the School of Social Sciences as part of this move will allow a significant expansion of the School of Mathematics.
Pictured is Dr Jeremy Segrott, a Research Fellow with DECIPHer. As part of DECIPHer’s programme of work he is undertaking research on the prevention of alcohol misuse by young people, including the role played by families and parents.
Pictured, l to r: Dr Jeremy Segrott, Cardiff University DECIPHer; Andrew Gardner, Cooke & Arkwright; John James, Fletcher Morgan, who acted for the landlord, Norton Evans