Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Joe Blakey and Marc Hudson Filed Under: Science and Engineering Posted:
The UK’s minister for energy and clean growth wants to set the UK on a path to a ‘zero-carbon economy’. Marc Hudson and Joe Blakey from The University of Manchester’s Sustainable Consumption Institute ask whether ‘zero-carbon’ will give zero-thought to the emissions from the international supply chains that underpin our economy. What does a ‘zero-carbon […]
By James Baker Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Science and Engineering Posted:
Finding ways to reduce the amount of plastic used in food packaging, while still ensuring products are protected and kept fresh, is an increasingly important challenge. James Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explains how the answer could lie in the use of novel 2D materials. Changes in consumer perception and behaviour relating to plastic […]
By James Baker Filed Under: All posts, Science and Engineering Posted:
In this blog James Baker, the newly announced Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explains what’s driving demand for lightweight 2D materials for use in batteries and other components. The growth in both the demand and supply for electric vehicles is creating new opportunities and challenges for manufacturers in the UK. Heavier electric vehicles are driving […]
By Barbara Ribeiro Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
Dr Barbara Ribeiro of the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research reflects on what the Industrial Strategy White Paper means for artificial intelligence and considers whether prioritising AI funding is really in the public interest. The Government expects a positive impact of AI on household budgets over the next 13 years Any expectations in terms of […]
By Donna Johnson Filed Under: All posts, Science and Engineering Posted:
The UK’s skills gap in science, technology, engineering and maths has been widely acknowledged, but the measures needed to address it are less clear. Here, Donna Johnson, Head of the Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub, lays out the current debate and argues for cross-sector support between schools and universities and a focus […]
By Richard Fields Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering Posted:
Last week, the Government announced that new diesel and petrol cars and vans will be banned in the UK from 2040 in a bid to tackle air pollution. In light of this, it was also announced that the Government would invest £246m in battery technology. Here, Richard Fields, a Research Associate at the National Graphene […]
By Diane Coyle Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
The pace of change in technology shows no sign of slowing down, and as artificial intelligence develops, ever-more tasks that were previously carried out by humans could be done by machines. We have seen technological change before, and history tells us that there will be winners and losers. We must prepare economic and employment policies […]
By Vikas Shah Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
Inequality in our world is a root cause of many problems, but the strength of technology means it is no longer inevitable, says Vikas Shah. Here he shares his Technifesto for the United Kingdom. Information is now who we are – technology is our primary economic, social and cultural tool It’s an absolute priority to […]
By Martin Yuille Filed Under: All posts, Brexit, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
With new trade deals being negotiated following the Brexit vote, there are other areas of policy which should not be overlooked. Martin Yuille, Reader in Biobanking/Co-Director of CIGMR at The University of Manchester, argues that science and technology is increasingly a pre-condition for world-class research and therefore, now, after the EU referendum, the UK cannot […]
By Iain Brassington Filed Under: Health and Social Care, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
Yesterday, the UK’s fertility regulator approved a new technique of mitochondrial transfer, which allows babies to be made from two women and one man in order to prevent children being born with serious genetic diseases. Dr Iain Brassington considers some of the potential legal, ethical and practical implications of the decision. There is a specific legal exemption […]