At the moment, Net Zero permeates Government policies and programmes, but the true scale of the challenge it represents is only now beginning to become clear. Could nuclear power play a role or is it a costly distraction? Here, Will Bodel, Gregg Butler, Francis Livens, Juan Matthews and Richard Taylor from the Dalton Nuclear Institute […]
The retrofitting challenge in Manchester
During January-March 2020, Mateusz Ziembla, together with Dr Elvira Uyarra and Professor Jonatan Pinkse, undertook a study for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), funded by Research England, aimed at analysing the challenges associated with improving the energy efficiency of existing housing stock in order to articulate recommendations for policy action. Cost-effective decarbonisation of domestic […]
Follow the science
The underlying conditions that make COVID-19 into a killer disease are themselves pandemics. Here, Honorary Reader Martin Yuille and Professor Emeritus Bill Ollier outline the need to tackle these conditions by combining public policy reform with community change and technological innovation. Underlying health conditions are the greatest risk factor associated with COVID-19 mortality A new […]
The scourge of summer: seasonal allergies, asthma and how your mobile phone could help
Asthma and allergies affect millions in the UK and abroad. Understanding what drives allergic reactions, both inside the body and in the wider environment, will strengthen the ability of public health policymakers to address and limit the impact of these conditions. Here, Professor Sheena Cruickshank introduces ‘Britain Breathing’, a mobile phone app that can help […]
The ‘new normal’ for talking therapies after COVID-19: user-led, remote, informal and universal
During the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health services are providing support remotely. In this blog, Dr Warren Mansell, Reader in Clinical Psychology, discusses the positive ways that services have adapted and how they can be sustained in the future. The COVID-19 crisis has put into stark relief a chronic, pre-existing problem with the provision of talking […]
New advanced UK research agency shares ethos of Manchester model of innovation
In this blog, James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, reflects upon how a change in the UK’s approach to research and innovation, particularly when it comes to advanced materials, could support the economy to get back on its feet in the wake of Covid-19. In recent weeks, Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has gone […]
How modelling can become a debate-support tool, not just a decision-support tool
As many politicians around the world inform the public of their responses to the coronavirus outbreak, they frequently refer to the science on which their decisions are based. In this blog, Professor Graham Haughton, Dr Nuno Pinto and Professor Iain White explore the changing nature of how modelling tools are forming political and public debate. […]
Graphenes innovation could give UK economy a positive charge
This week, The University of Manchester is hosting a Graphene Industry Showcase. Ahead of this Dr Craig Dawson – Application Manager at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre shines a light on how, as the UK looks to build a globally leading carbon neutral economy, The University of Manchester is providing an innovation flagship for energy […]
Climate Change: Should we take the nuclear option?
In this blog, William Bodel a post-doctoral research associate at the Dalton Nuclear Institute at The University of Manchester, looks at the future of low-carbon energy generation in the UK to see whether nuclear energy should support the UK Government’s climate change commitments. Concerns around climate change, and the political drive to achieve net-zero greenhouse […]
Can we reduce water demand to 80 litres a day? And what can the government do to support it?
In a recent consultation, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) requested evidence on measures to reduce personal water use. In this blog Dr Claire Hoolohan, a research fellow at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and Dr Alison Browne, a senior lecturer in Geography explore ways in which the UK Government […]