Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Joel Gildert and Sarah Mander Filed Under: All posts, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted:
School Streets is a scheme where the road outside a school is closed to motorised traffic at drop-off and pick-up times to make it safer, healthier and more pleasant for residents and those using it. Currently, it is estimated there are approximately 1000 School Streets in operation in the UK, the vast majority of which […]
By Louisa Dawes, Rosa Archer and Elizabeth Gregory Filed Under: All posts, Education Posted:
The Department for Education (DfE) has published the final report on its independent review of the curriculum, assessment and qualifications system in England. Although recommendations on inclusion, representation, enrichment, clearer transitional phases and a broader curriculum of real-world skills are welcomed, there are still substantive issues related to the breadth of curriculum, an enduring assessment […]
By Aline Miller Filed Under: All posts, On Critical Technologies Posted:
Industrial biotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that draws on biological resources to produce and process everyday products such as food, fuels, materials, and medicines. It holds huge potential to revolutionise industry by making production processes more sustainable and so addressing global challenges such as food security, resource scarcity and environmental degradation. In this article, Professor […]
By Patrick Cai 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 […]
By Charlotte Bagnall Filed Under: All posts, Education Posted:
Over the past decade, government reports in England have consistently identified primary–secondary school transitions as poorly managed and a systemic weakness. Dr Charlotte Bagnall shares how her #P-S WELLS research team have combined academic research, with policy and practice consultation to co-develop a unified, evidence-based framework with key recommendations to inform a primary-secondary school transitions […]
By Claire Hoolohan, Alison Browne and Leilai Immel-Parkinson Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Urban Posted:
Water scarcity is one of the most critical and widespread impacts of climate change. In England, water stress is an immediate crisis, with the gap between public water supply and demand increasing year on year. Alongside necessary changes to supply systems and improving the efficiency of buildings and appliances, additional measures to curb demand are […]
By David Topping 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 […]
By Jonathan Davies Filed Under: Devo, Urban Posted:
Like many areas in the UK, Greater Manchester (GM) faces significant challenges related to modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT), especially where these intersect with homelessness and the migration and asylum systems. In response, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and partners set up Programme Challenger, which is GM’s partnership approach to addressing serious and organised […]
By Daniel Dresner Filed Under: All posts, On Critical Technologies Posted:
The government’s Cyber Security and Resilience Bill aims to strengthen national security and boost cyber protections for the services that people rely on every day. In this article, Professor Daniel Dresner outlines how a sociotechnical approach to cyber security can be used to target vulnerabilities in the cyber ecosystem. 7.7 million cybercrimes have been experienced […]
The government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review outlines recommendations to strengthen curriculum and assessment. Its analysis of GCSEs highlights several areas for development. In this article, Dr Hannah Wilkinson, Professor Kevin Woods, Dr Tee Mccaldin and Aletia Daly highlight how their research identifies additional issues related to fairness, inclusion and student voice that warrant further consideration to […]