Policy@Manchester Articles

Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues

  • All Posts
  • UK Politics
  • Energy and Environment
  • Growth and Inclusion
  • Health and Social Care
  • Urban
  • Science and Engineering
Policy@Manchester Articles: Digital Futures
You are here: Home / Archives for Digital Futures

Turning gadgets into productivity

Bart van Ark By Bart van Ark Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, Levelling up, OnProductivity, Science and Technology, UK economy Posted: December 13, 2022

The Industrial Revolution brought about great economic success in the north of the United Kingdom that translated into a social, cultural and urban transformation. However, the Digital Revolution of today has not had the same impact on the UK, and particularly, the north. In this blog, Professor Bart van Ark explores how and why productivity […]

Tagged With: digital, digital revolution, economy, Greater Manchester, inclusive growth, Industry 4.0, innovation, investment, OnProductivity, productivity, technology

Data directly from our patients: Is improving patient data the key to better cancer care?

By Corinne Faivre-Finn, Niels Peek and James Price Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Health and Care, Science and Technology Posted: September 8, 2022

To provide the best care and support for cancer patients during and after treatment, it is essential to collect and work with data that captures patient experiences and patient-reported outcomes. But data is not a simple subject. The way healthcare services work with data, and how we work with patients to collect it, must be […]

Tagged With: #OnCancer, Biometrics, cancer, care quality, data, digital, Health & Social Care, innovation, NHS, NHS Digital, Pankhurst Institute, SHS, SMS, technology

VR headset in purple lighting

Online safety: Child abuse and exploitation in eXtended Reality

Picture of Steve Pettifer By Emma Barrett and Steve Pettifer Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Digital Futures Posted: June 13, 2022

In 2020 a team led by Professor Emma Barrett and Professor Steve Pettifer was commissioned by GCHQ to examine how child exploitation and abuse may evolve in light of the latest emerging technology trend: the widespread adoption of immersive ‘eXtended Reality’ (XR) technologies, including Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. Their report synthesises research on online […]

Tagged With: Children & Young People, CMI, crime, cyber crime, digital, Digital Futures, Metaverse, National Intelligence, online safety bill, policing, SoSS, technology, VR, wellbeing, XR

picture of digitally connected city

Using big data to tackle the air pollution problem

James EvansThomas BannanDavid Topping By James Evans, Thomas Bannan and David Topping Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, Science and Technology Posted: May 3, 2022

Data-driven policy has the potential to maximise positive outcomes on the environment, public health and the economy. In this blog, Prof David Topping, Prof James Evans and Dr Thomas Bannan explore the benefits of using big data tools as well as the challenges facing the implementation of data techniques to inform air quality policy in […]

Tagged With: air quality, digital, environment, MERI, technology

Picture of smart speaker on couter with woman leaning towards it in the background.

Smart (and Safe) Homes – public-private partnerships to mitigate the digital harms of smart home devices

Photo of Dr David Buil-GIlPicture of James NicholsonPicture of Steven Kemp By David Buil-Gil, James Nicholson and Steven Kemp Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Digital Futures, Science and Engineering Posted: March 31, 2022

In recent years smart devices have become a feature of people’s, increasingly complex, home ecosystems. This brings new opportunities for users and may improve energy efficiency, but it also poses new threats to the privacy and security of end users. While there is emerging evidence of attacks against home devices and data misuse, there is […]

Tagged With: crime, criminology, cyber crime, data, digital, Digital Futures, fraud & financial crime, intelligence & security, National Intelligence, Privacy, SoSS, technology

data graphs with world map in the background

Why we must act now to confront the new global digital divide

Chris FosterShamel Azmeh By Chris Foster and Shamel Azmeh Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Growth and Inclusion Posted: March 2, 2022

As digital technologies become more widespread, there is a risk that developing countries will be left behind if they cannot afford to invest at the same rate as other countries. In this article, Dr Chris Foster and Dr Shamel Azmeh discuss the dangers of international firms and leading economies dominating the global digital economy, and […]

Tagged With: #OnDigitalInequalities, digital, Digital Divide, Digital Futures, economy, global inequalities

Computer robot makes micro chip

Can we use autonomous robotic systems in hazardous environments?

Louise DennisMatt Luckcuck By Michael Fisher, Louise Dennis and Matt Luckcuck Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: March 1, 2022

Autonomous systems are becoming increasingly commonplace across all facets of modern life, including hazardous environments, where the choices made by machines have the potential to cause harm or injury to humans. But how well do we understand the decision-making process of artificial intelligence, and how does this affect trust in autonomous systems? In this blog, Professor […]

Tagged With: AI, innovation, nuclear, Robotics, science & engineering, technology

Sustainable engineering – not just engineering for sustainability

By Michael Fisher Filed Under: Digital Futures, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: January 25, 2022

Net zero now forms the heart of policies and strategies across government, from “levelling up” to “build back better”. Combined with the UK’s National Infrastructure Strategy, it is clear that engineering – particularly new technologies such as robotics and AI – has a core role in our decarbonisation efforts. But how green are the technologies […]

Tagged With: AI, Business Energy & Industry, climate change, digital, energy, environment, food & agriculture, infrastructure, innovation, net zero, Robotics, science & engineering, sustainability

woman with a laptop, on a video call

How the digital healthcare revolution leaves the most vulnerable behind

Arpana VermaClaudia PagliariOmer AliElizabeth Dalgarno By Arpana Verma, Claudia Pagliari, Omer Ali and Elizabeth Dalgarno Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Health and Care Posted: January 20, 2022

Digital technology in healthcare was vital during the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure that people maintained access to health services when they were not available in-person. However, the move to digital healthcare disadvantaged some patients and placed them at risk of greater inequality and vulnerability. Here, Dr Omer Ali, Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno, Dr Claudia Pagliari […]

Tagged With: #OnDigitalInequalities, 2022 Top 5, Ashton Institute, digital, Digital Divide, Health & Social Care, Health inequalities, inequalities, MERI, micra, MUI, SoSS

man using a tablet

The digital economy could be more productive – but will it be more inclusive?

Bart van Ark By Bart van Ark Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Growth and Inclusion Posted: January 6, 2022

Digital technology can help people to remain productive despite disruptions to daily life. However, this is only possible when people are able to access and use the technology that is available to them. Here, Professor Bart van Ark from The Productivity Institute warns of the dangers of a K-shaped recovery and lists the steps that […]

Tagged With: #OnDigitalInequalities, digital, Digital Divide, inclusive growth, inequalities, productivity

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 6
  • Next Page »

Our RSS feed

Receive our latest content and timely updates by subscribing to our RSS feed.

 Subscribe in your reader

Become a contributor

Would you like to write for us on a public policy issue? Get in touch with a member of the team, ask for our editorial guidelines, or access our online training toolkit (UoM login required).

Disclaimer

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

Policy@Manchester

Manchester Policy Articles is an initiative from Policy@Manchester. Visit our web site to find out more

Contact Us

policy@manchester.ac.uk
t: +44 (0) 161 275 3038
The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK

Copyright © 2025 · Policy Blog 2 on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in