THE University of South Wales (USW) has doubled the amount of its research rated as world leading according to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) results.

The university, which has a campus is Newport city centre, can now boast that half of its research is of world leading or internationally excellent standard.

The REF 2014 results show USW's research across the range of the creative industries is ranked top in the UK for its impact while research in social policy and criminology is ranked 8th in the UK and top in Wales.

USW is 15th overall in the UK for world leading research in sports and exercise science.

Professor Helen Langton, deputy vice chancellor for academic development, said: "This is an excellent result for the University of South Wales, and a credit to our talented and dedicated researchers.

“It demonstrates that, in terms of the volume and the quality of our research, USW is more than holding its own, and has maintained its position as one of Wales’ five major research active universities.

“Our applied research and engagement is reflected in our strong performance in the impact of our work by solving practical problems affecting society, culture and the economy.

“At the university we are particularly proud of the recognition we have achieved in relation to our work in social policy and criminology, sports and exercise science, and the creative industries.”

Research considered world leading according to the latest results includes professor Fiona Brookman’s research into the nature and circumstances of homicide and homicide investigation.

Her research is featured in the Murder Investigation Manual, which is regarded as the definitive guide on homicide investigation in Britain.

Findings from the Neurovascular Research Laboratory, led by Professor Damian Bailey, is also considered to be world leading.

The laboratory has been conducting 'brain-train' studies which have raised public awareness to the cerebrovascular benefits of physical activity, which helps improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain therefore reducing the risk of stroke and dementia.

World leading research also comes from professor Florence Ayisi who created a documentary film on the lives of an all-female Muslim football team in Zanzibar which has been used to tackle racism in football and raise awareness of HIV and AIDS.

The Board of Governor's at USW agreed to close its Caerleon campus earlier this year following a consultation of the university's whole estate.

It was estimated that a £20 million investment would be needed to bring the campus up to standard.

Teaching will finish at the campus by summer 2016.