Assoc Prof David Cooper, (left) head of the Dept of Sociology, has been awarded a New Century Scholarship to work on how universities, government and industry can work together to advance economic and social prosperity.

Cooper joins 29 other scholars around the world to work on a year-long project.

The programme involves three one-week meetings in Washington and Berlin, and two months of research in the US.

It offers a collaborative model for scholarly exchange that encourages the formation of new global networks and pursues the development of collaborative activities with a long-term regional and global impact.

This year's theme is The University as Innovation Driver and Knowledge Centre, and Cooper will focus on university research relationships with the wider community.

He will look specifically at local government, and how the university is linked to trade unions and women's and youth organisations, among others.