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Teacher shows two students a science project using a plastic bottle in a bright, busy classroom.

Schools fit for the future: can smart technologies improve indoor air quality in schools?

By Filed Under: All posts, Education, Energy and Environment, Science and Technology Posted:

Nurseries and primary schools are among the most significant energy consumers within the built environment, affecting both their operational budgets and the role of the education sector in the transition to net zero. Moreover, indoor air quality (IAQ) in these buildings plays a crucial role in determining the health, productivity, and wellbeing of students and […]

A female scientist in a lab examines a piece of laboratory equipment.

In silico technologies: the future of UK life sciences?

Professor Alejandro Frangi By Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The UK life sciences sector contributes £94 billion to the economy each year, but it faces increasing global competition, alongside internal challenges such as low numbers of NHS clinical trials, and slow regulatory approval processes. Here, Professor Alejandro Frangi outlines how in silico technologies – Artificial Intelligence and other computer-based approaches for virtual product development […]

No one left behind: Supporting disadvantaged groups to adopt electric vehicles

Photograph of man By and Filed Under: Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth Posted:

While electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to rise, EV ownership remains inaccessible to large portions of the population. Research by Helen Zheng and Arijit De addresses this by using geospatial analysis and agent-based simulations (ABSs) to identify priority areas for EV infrastructure in Greater Manchester (GM). In this article, they discuss how these steps will […]

Openreach engineer maintenance telecommunication stand on a street. Openreach is a BT Group division, that maintains a connection to the telecommunication network in the UK

The digital infrastructure divide: the spatial landscape of broadband coverage across the UK

By and Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment Posted:

Changing social norms and the COVID-19 lockdowns have drastically shifted how we utilise the internet to conduct our daily lives, creating a rapid increase in home/hybrid working and online shopping. In this article, Professor Cecilia Wong and Dr Helen Zheng demonstrate how high quality, reliable and good coverage of telecommunication infrastructure has resulted in differential […]

E-scooters along wall

Getting around: digital platforms and public transport systems

Headshot of Andy Lockhart By , and Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Urban Posted:

Over the last 15 years, digital mobility platforms for ride hailing like Uber, bike sharing like Beryl, e-scooter rental like Lime and journey planning apps like Citymapper have become common in urban societies. They are often seen as ‘disrupting’ the organisation of existing public transport systems and creating competition. In this article from our On […]

Industrial chimney pluming out smoke surrounded by an urban landscape of buildings.

Advanced materials addressing health risks from exposure to benzene

Headshot of Martin Schröder.Headshot of Sihai Yang. By and Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Environment, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Research and development, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, Urban, Work Posted:

Benzene, a volatile organic compound (VOC) with widespread industrial applications, poses severe health risks to humans even at trace levels. Its genotoxic effects, which involve direct damage to cellular DNA and genetic material leading to mutations, are strongly linked to cancer and blood disorders, making its control a critical priority for workplace safety and environmental […]

Birds-eye-view of a motorway with travelling cars

A future for autonomous vehicles in the UK? Lessons from the US

By Filed Under: Digital Futures, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, Urban Posted:

One of the final bills passed by the outgoing Sunak government was the Automated Vehicles Act (2024), designed to make provisions for the possible rollout of autonomous vehicles in the future. If the new Starmer government is to continue this work, then lessons need to be learnt from the US, where the deployment of autonomous […]

Scientist with clipboard in a biotechnology lab.

Regional policy for biomanufacturing in the North-West chemical sector

Dr Neil Dixon By Filed Under: Environment, Research and development, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

There is an urgent need for the chemical manufacturing sector to transition to alternative, sustainable carbon-based feedstocks, moving away from reliance on petrochemical sources. Large urban areas, such as the north-west of England, generate substantial amounts of waste rich in carbon, which are processed for energy generation via direct incineration or biogas production. Here, Dr […]

A scientist working with a bioreactor.

Building the bioeconomy

A profile picture of Professor Aline Miller By Filed Under: Research and development, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, UK economy Posted:

Current manufacturing processes across all industrial sectors rely on petrochemicals, either to power them, or as starting points for their product. This over reliance on finite fossil resources is having a detrimental impact on the health of the world and its population. Professor Aline Miller explains how industrial biotechnology can break this addiction to petrochemicals […]

Workers making shoes in a cluttered factory.

Modern slavery and digital technology in ‘Fast Fashion’: the transparency dividend

Dr Jonathan Daves - author headshotRose BroadAuthor photograph By , and Filed Under: All posts, Science and Technology, Work Posted:

Modern slavery and exploitation are critical challenges in the UK garment manufacturing and fast fashion sectors, which continue to require urgent attention from policymakers and regulatory agencies. Despite the potential for digital technology to enhance supply chain transparency, its effectiveness in mitigating labour exploitation is under-researched and underutilised. In this article, Dr Jon Davies, Professor […]

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