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Why the under-16 social media ban needs a price tag: the case for a Digital Harm Levy

Author headshot By Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Digital Futures, Science and Technology Posted:

The UK government have announced a ban on social media for under-16s, taking effect Spring 2027. The ban is a significant step. It is also, on its own, incomplete. It addresses who can access social media. It does not address what social media does to those who do, including the children who will find ways […]

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The Role of Data in Supporting Decision Making: Utilising Spatial Data and GIS for Informed Policy and Practice

Photo of Richard Kingston By Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Environment, Health and Social Care, Research and development, Science and Technology Posted:

In an era marked by rapid technological advancement and ever-increasing complexity, the ability to make informed, timely decisions has never been more vital. Across government, industry, academia and the public sector, organisations are striving to integrate digital solutions that enable evidence-based policy and practical action. Here Professor Richard Kingston explores how data can lead the […]

Article image - pregnant woman, egg donations

What the evidence tells us: research insights for reform in egg and sperm donation

Lucy Frith headshotPetra Nordqvist By and Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Science and Technology Posted:

The regulation of egg and sperm donation for reproductive purposes in the UK is covered by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 and subsequent amendments. It has long been regarded as a model of thoughtful, ethically grounded regulation. However, the landscape in which gamete donation operates is changing rapidly. New technologies, shifting social norms […]

Quantum technologies: a new frontier of the information age

Headshot of Jayadev By and Filed Under: Science and Technology Posted:

In recent decades, rapid progress in the development of quantum technologies has established their place as one of the next major technological frontiers. Future quantum technologies are expected to have a revolutionary impact on advanced materials, healthcare, finance and our national security, while also bringing with them substantial economic benefits. Previous UK governments have devoted […]

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Improving the resilience of computer systems with software compartmentalisation

Headshot of Pierre OlivierHeadshot of Hugo LefeuvreJohn Kressel By , and Filed Under: All posts, On Critical Technologies, Science and Technology Posted:

Cybersecurity attacks are becoming more sophisticated, varied and persistent. Compartmentalisation is a defensive software design practice that can tackle many of the cyber threats faced by modern computer systems. However, implementing this practice widely faces obstacles, such as prohibitive engineering and performance costs and the difficulty to retrofit existing software. In this article, Dr Pierre […]

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Getting ready for the 6G revolution

Emad Alsusa headshot By Filed Under: All posts, On Critical Technologies, Science and Technology Posted:

As the world continues to embrace what 5G networks can do, the next frontier in wireless communication – 6G – is rapidly moving from theoretical concept to active research and development. Expected to be standardised later this decade and rolled out in the 2030s, 6G promises a giant leap forward, enabling unprecedented speeds, near instantaneous […]

Rows of semiconductor/chip technology

Britain’s chip strategy: smart focus, but does it pack enough punch?

Headshot of John Goodacre By Filed Under: All posts, On Critical Technologies, Science and Technology Posted:

Semiconductors, or microchips, are akin to tiny silicon brains inside everything – from your phone and car to NHS scanners and the nation’s power grid. They are essential, yet Britain’s role in making them has been uncertain. In 2023, the Sunak government unveiled its National Semiconductor Strategy, identifying where the UK can compete in the market. […]

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Getting genomics right: why data standards must underpin the UK’s international competitiveness

By Filed Under: Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The UK is a leading nation in genomics, with the 10 Year Health Plan outlining a major shift towards a population-wide genomic health service. This strategy could deliver savings and improved patient outcomes for the NHS – but critical to its success is the data that underpins it. Here, Dr Peter Freeman outlines why policymakers […]

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Designing life: how synthetic genomics could hold the key to sustaining the world

Headshot of Patrick Cai By Filed Under: All posts, On Critical Technologies, Science and Technology Posted:

With climate change affecting our rising demand for sufficient food, affordable medicines, equitable healthcare, sustainable fuels and safe but effective agrochemicals; there is an increasing need to find new ways to produce these goods at scale. In this article, Professor Patrick Cai explores how synthetic genomics can address these global challenges and provides recommendations about how […]

Computer data on a screen

Beyond the Query: Transforming Environmental Data Discovery with LLMs

David Topping By Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Research and development, Science and Technology Posted:

Environmental problems are complex, evolving issues that defy straightforward solutions. These challenges demand integrated data, yet current environmental data is scattered and hard to access. Artificial intelligence (AI), alongside strong metadata frameworks, is emerging as a powerful tool for breaking down barriers to data discovery. Here Professor David Topping outlines the importance of access to […]

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Articles give the views of the author, and are not necessarily those of The University of Manchester.

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