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Smart meter on kitchen counter

Energy inequality and low carbon futures: geography matters

Picture of AmishDr Kate ScottPicture of Manonpicture of Stefan By , , and Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment Posted:

The UK is heading towards a period of economic uncertainty. The cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and an increase in energy prices have further stressed the finances of households. With a rapid increase in the number of households experiencing difficulty in affording their domestic energy, many will be unable to secure the level of energy needed for […]

VR headset in purple lighting

Online safety: Child abuse and exploitation in eXtended Reality

Picture of Steve Pettifer By and Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Digital Futures Posted:

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 […]

How logistics workers kept the UK going during lockdown: Lessons for the next pandemic

Martie van Tongeren By , , and Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Health and Care Posted:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, measures to reduce social contacts were applied in most countries; something that was only viable because the logistics sector continued to deliver. However, in the face of a lack of pandemic preparedness and planning from the government, how did different parts of the sector respond? In this blog, Dr Hua Wei, […]

Child of the North: Pregnancy and early years

Anna Sanders By and Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Cities and Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted:

Evidence makes it clear that exposure to adversity and stress has vast potential to negatively influence the trajectory of a person’s health and wellbeing throughout their life. In this blog, Professor Pamela Qualter and Dr Anna Sanders present the key findings of a Child of the North report, co-authored with colleagues from Newcastle, Bradford, Sheffield, […]

picture of digitally connected city

Using big data to tackle the air pollution problem

James EvansThomas BannanDavid Topping By , and Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, Science and Technology Posted:

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 […]

picture of a windmill and a factory emitting smoke

Why policy on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions needs to be joined-up

Grant Allen By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Urban Posted:

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving air quality are closely linked objectives but are not considered simultaneously under current policy frameworks. In this blog, Professor Grant Allen discusses the benefits of developing a common policy framework aligning GHGs reduction goals with improvements in air quality. Considering these two objectives simultaneously, rather than in isolation, […]

A school corridor with schools bags hanging from pegs on either side

Child of the North: Schools and education

By and Filed Under: All posts, Education, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

COVID-19 exposed the disadvantage suffered by children and young people in our most deprived areas, disproportionately in the north of England. In this blog, Professor Caroline Bond and Professor Pamela Qualter discuss how these problems, and the accumulating evidence, demand a policy response. This is an adaptation of an article they co-authored for the Child […]

water sink

Reimagining water consumption: challenges and opportunities to reduce domestic water demand in the UK

Claire Hoolohan By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Urban Posted:

Emissions related to domestic water use contribute 5-6% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions from domestic water use is necessary for the UK to meet its ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. However, current policy instruments to reduce water-related emissions remain limited in scope. In this blog, Dr Claire Hoololan […]

Rapid diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections

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

The rapid and accurate diagnosis of fungal infections is crucial to effective treatment and ultimately saves lives. Diagnostics are often not widely available in low income countries leading to inappropriate and delayed treatments. This is the case for a serious fungal infection called chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), and often for other fungal infections associated with […]

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 , and Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Digital Futures, Science and Engineering Posted:

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 […]

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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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