Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
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 […]
By Andy Lockhart, Mike Hodson and Andy McMeekin Filed Under: All posts, Science and Technology, Urban Posted:
When COVID-19 struck, it caused unprecedented disruption to urban transport systems. Stay-at-home and social distancing orders had dramatic impacts on urban mobility. Cities around the world ground to a halt, and many saw a sudden and prolonged emptying out of urban centres. In this blog Dr Andy Lockhart, Prof Mike Hodson and Prof Andy McMeekin […]
By Cathy Hollis, Kevin Taylor and Lin Ma Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
In 2019, the UK became the first major economy to legally commit to achieving net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. With new evidence of rapid, anthropogenic-induced climate change emerging, it is likely that many climate forecasts have underestimated the speed and extent of climate change. This means that drastic action is needed to both slow […]
By Bart van Ark Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Growth and Inclusion Posted:
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 […]
By Hugh Coe Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment Posted:
Poor air quality exacerbates socioeconomic inequalities and results in negative health outcomes, especially among vulnerable groups exposed to high levels of pollution. Air pollution remains a pressing global challenge against the backdrop of rapid urbanisation. In this blog, Professor Hugh Coe outlines opportunities for the UK to lead and co-develop solutions to address air pollution, […]
By Luke Munford, Pamela Qualter and Matt Sutton Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Education, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted:
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, growing evidence has shown the effects of the disease, and measures to contain it, have not been felt equally across the UK, with the North of England one of the hardest hit regions. Even before the pandemic, the North suffered from higher levels of poverty, poor health, and inequality compared to […]
By Nicholas Marsden Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Science and Technology Posted:
While poor air quality is generally associated with adverse health outcomes, some air pollutants are more harmful than others. In this blog, Dr Nicholas Marsden outlines the need for building air quality monitoring networks to study specific properties of fine particulate matter (PM). Some PM types are more harmful than others; more research on PM […]
By Debra Howcroft and Phil Taylor Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures Posted:
Like millions of others, call centre workers were required to work from home at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this blog, Professor Debra Howcroft and Professor Phil Taylor examine the experiences of call centre staff and provide recommendations for improvement in the future. Managerial staff often directly and indirectly control call centre workers […]
By Drew Whitworth Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Education Posted:
In an increasingly digital world, the skills that students require to succeed in employment are changing but assessments within education settings are not. In this blog, Dr Drew Whitworth discusses the potential pitfalls of traditional forms of assessment, such as essays and exams, which focus on information retention instead of application, and highlights how practice-based […]
By Ron Chan, Veronica Vienne and Martino Pelli Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment Posted:
Recent empirical evidence demonstrates that air pollution has negative effects on the labour market beyond health-related costs. In this blog, Dr Ron Chan and Ms Veronica Vienne from The University of Manchester and Dr Martino Pelli from Université de Sherbrooke explore the non-health-related impacts of air pollution on the labour force, using the wildfires in Chile […]
