Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Alex Sprake and Nick Lord Filed Under: British Politics Posted:
Taking a lead from a hit US TV show, former University of Manchester law student Alex Sprake and Dr Nick Lord discuss the potential for the misuse of cryptocurrencies to facilitate fraudulent and illicit payments. They find it as likely to be an issue in the world of ‘legitimate business’ as for organised crime, and […]
By Luke Georghiou Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Digital Futures, Industry 4.0, Science and Engineering Posted:
Last month the UK House of Lords Artificial Intelligence Committee published a report, ‘Artificial Intelligence, AI in the UK: ready, willing and able?’ In the report, which concluded that the UK is in a strong position to be a world leader in the development, use and ethics of artificial intelligence (AI), the Lords committee revisited […]
By Stephen Hutchings Filed Under: All posts, British Politics Posted:
Stephen Hutchings, Professor of Russian Studies at The University of Manchester, examines the role RT, the Russian International Television Network, plays in Russia’s ongoing ‘War on Truth’ and offers advice as to how UK security policymakers can address the challenges posed by the television network. Russia Today (RT) When the Salisbury poisoning story broke, RT […]
By James Baker Filed Under: All posts, Science and Engineering Posted:
In this blog James Baker, the newly announced Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explains what’s driving demand for lightweight 2D materials for use in batteries and other components. The growth in both the demand and supply for electric vehicles is creating new opportunities and challenges for manufacturers in the UK. Heavier electric vehicles are driving […]
By Vikas Shah Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
Inequality in our world is a root cause of many problems, but the strength of technology means it is no longer inevitable, says Vikas Shah. Here he shares his Technifesto for the United Kingdom. Information is now who we are – technology is our primary economic, social and cultural tool It’s an absolute priority to […]
By Martin Yuille Filed Under: All posts, Brexit, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
With new trade deals being negotiated following the Brexit vote, there are other areas of policy which should not be overlooked. Martin Yuille, Reader in Biobanking/Co-Director of CIGMR at The University of Manchester, argues that science and technology is increasingly a pre-condition for world-class research and therefore, now, after the EU referendum, the UK cannot […]
By Steve Furber Filed Under: All posts, Brexit, Science and Engineering Posted:
ARM Holdings, one of the UK’s biggest technology companies, has been taken over by a Japanese company for £24bn. The country’s new Prime Minister is citing it as a success of Brexit – but Steve Furber says it’s on a par with selling the crown jewels. Was it a coincidence that, during the week that […]
By Joe Blakey Filed Under: All posts, Urban Posted:
Our cities are unequal – in wealth, quality of life and our carbon footprints, amongst other factors. In the race to use technology to build so-called ‘smart cities’, Joe Blakey says we run the risk of locking-in, rather than tackling, those inequalities. Definitions and data When it comes to smart cities , Manchester is setting […]
By Jim Pendrill Filed Under: Featured Posted:
The next generation will see greater changes in education than we have seen over the previous 500 years, says Lord David Willetts, the former Minister for Universities and Science. Jim Pendrill reports. Delivering the keynote address at the start of Policy Week on how emerging technology will impact education, Willetts began by questioning whether the […]
By Michael Pryce Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
Technology policy and defence acquisition can present striking contrasts, writes Dr Michael Pryce. Government policy is supportive of innovation – and often the more disruptive the better. But the highest spender in government on ‘high technology’ – defence – often has an old-fashioned look to it. Looking closely at examples of current military projects, we […]