STAR Card Showcase Demonstrates Real-World Impact of Research in Action

March saw the showcase of the STAR Card Safety System, highlighting how collaborative OU research can deliver tangible, real-world impact. 

The event marked a key milestone for the STAR Card Safety System Project – “A Standardised Food Allergy Safety System: Keeping food allergy customers safe” –, a collaborative initiative between The Open University, Belfast Metropolitan College and hospitality partners, supported by Connected NI. 

Bringing together stakeholders—including hospitality SMEs, regulators, software developers, healthcare professionals and advocacy organisations such as Allergy UK—the showcase demonstrated how safety science from healthcare can be successfully applied to the hospitality sector to improve food allergen management. 

At the centre of the event was the STAR Card digital prototype, which combines structured safety processes with a digital allergen classification tool. Developed using approaches such as WHO-style checklists and SBAR communication, the system is designed to support hospitality teams in clearly identifying allergens, improving communication, and reducing the risk of potentially life-threatening errors. 

The event provided an opportunity for attendees to see the system in action, hear directly from researchers and industry partners, and explore how the innovation could be adapted and scaled across the sector. 

Lead OU researcher Claire McGuigan shared the thinking behind the project, emphasising the importance of putting people with food allergies at the centre of the design process. Contributions from hospitality partners, including McKeever Hotel Group and Sinley Chinese, highlighted the practical benefits of the system in real-world environments, while a representative from the Owen's Law Campaign reinforced the critical importance of improving allergen safety across the industry. 

The showcase also demonstrated the strength of partnership working across the innovation ecosystem, with input from Belfast Metropolitan College on future skills development and training, and engagement from organisations including Belfast Chinese Cultural Society. 

Importantly, the event created momentum for the next phase of development. Discussions on the day focused on opportunities to build on the success of the Connected NI-supported project through further collaboration, digital development, and innovative funding pathways. 

The STAR Card showcase stands as a strong example of how research at The Open University can translate into practical solutions that address real societal challenges—improving safety, supporting industry, and ultimately enhancing quality of life for people living with food allergies. 

Further updates on the project and its next steps will be shared in the coming months.