ARCC news for February 2015
ARCC network news & events
Early career researchers – workshop on developing funding bids
Early career researchers (ECRs) are invited to register for a 24-hour/two-day workshop to learn about some of the skills needed and lessons learned in developing successful funding bids. This event is for ECRs working on projects funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), with a focus on adaptation and resilience in the built environment and infrastructure sectors. The event will be held in York on 15–16 April 2015. With input from EPSRC and other experts, this will be an opportunity to learn about the approaches and qualities that will make a proposal appealing to funders. There is no charge for participating, but registration is essential and places are limited to 25. We will operate a waiting list if this event is over-subscribed.
Details of previous ECR events are on the ARCC website.
ARCC Annual Report 2014
A short report highlighting the key achievements of the ARCC network over the past year is now available on the ARCC website. Examples include work on infrastructure interdependencies via our collaboration with the Environment Agency Infrastructure Operators’ Adaptation Forum, improving accessibility of research outputs through our OpenARCC initiative and our developing series of skills workshops for early career researchers.
New ARCC network team member
We are pleased to welcome Briony Turner who has recently joined the ARCC team. As Knowledge Exchange Manager, an important task will be to lead ARCC network activity around intelligent and smart adapting cities. She is completing her PhD on scaling up climate change adaptation of the social housing stock in England. Briony has written an ARCC blog Is knowledge exchange too much of a contact sport?, inspired by a recent debate.
Something to say?
We are interested in sharing the views of building and infrastructure adaptation professionals and academics via our blog. The forthcoming Ecobuild event may be a source of inspiration for new approaches and ideas around adaptation challenges, or perhaps the election campaign has raised new (or old) issues for you. If you have an idea for a blog that would be of interest to the wider ARCC network, please get in touch with kay.jenkinson@ukcip.org.uk.
Overheating and indoor air quality – journal special issue
The ARCC network commissioned a special issue of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) journal, Building Services Engineering Research & Technology, to look specifically at overheating and air quality. This has now been published, and it includes 9 papers, including several from projects within the ARCC portfolio, as well as a summary paper, ‘Practical Applications’, that describes how the research is applicable to modern industrial practice. This issue has been guest edited by Anastasia Mylona (CIBSE) and Mike Davies (UCL).
Project news & events
iBUILD to launch manifesto of findings
The team behind the Infrastructure BUsiness models, valuation and Innovation for Local Delivery (iBUILD) project is launching their ‘Manifesto for Innovative Infrastructure Business Models’, which sets out the recent findings of iBUILD research. The manifesto sets out a series of recommendations, based on iBUILD’s research findings to date. The manifesto will be launched on Thursday 26 March at 4pm, at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London. The launch will be followed by a panel discussion and drinks reception. To attend, please complete the online registration form.
FCERM.net webinar: Flooding and health
12.15pm on Wednesday, 25 February 2015
In this webinar, Sari Kovats from the Department of Social & Environmental Health Research, at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will examine the relationship between flooding and health. Register through the FCERM.net website.
Other news
ASC propose way forward on use of SuDS
The Adaptation Sub Committee (ASC) of the Committee on Climate Change has issued three proposals in an attempt to resolve its disagreement with the Government on the best way to increase the use of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). In a firmly-worded letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the ASC suggests: withdrawal of the automatic right of developers to connect to public sewers, making Lead Local Flood Authorities and water companies statutory consultees on new development; and monitoring and evaluating the uptake of SuDS in new development.
Views on research-industry collaboration invited
The President of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE), Dame Ann Dowling, has been asked to conduct a review into how government can best support effective research-industry collaboration. Individuals or organisations with expertise and interest in this area are invited to submit evidence to by Friday 6 March 2015. The review is framed around 8 key questions. The ARCC network will be submitting a response, and we’d like to encourage others with experience in this area to also contribute. More information is available at the RAE website.
PhD Scholarship – resilience of buildings to extreme weather events
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) is supporting a PhD Scholarship at the University of West London. The research will focus on increasing the resilience of buildings to extreme weather events, and will contribute to new guidance and information to be applied by CIBSE members. Applicants must have a good first degree and an MSc or equivalent in civil or mechanical engineering. The deadline for applications is Friday 6 March 2015.
Study reviews adaptation progress on local authority adaptation
The Sustainability Research Institute at the University of Leeds has looked at how British local government is making progress on adaptation to climate change, by comparing new data with similar evidence from 2003 (pdf, 580 KB). The study shows that while local authority staff have now developed good knowledge and capacity to adapt, they have struggled to translate this into adaptation action, because of, it would seem, institutional barriers such as budget cuts and a lack of political support. The report includes fascinating insights, thanks to survey and interview data, into the processes that drive adaptation at a local level.
New map quantifies urban regions in Europe
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has published a settlement map that provides a comprehensive overview of urban areas in Europe. It aims to be a valuable tool for those investigating issues such as urban planning, demographics or disaster management.
Inquiry into NHS sustainability strategy
The Environmental Audit Committee of the House of Commons opened an inquiry into the progress of the NHS sustainable development strategy, which was published in January 2014. Written submissions should be submitted by 4 March 2015.
Call for evidence: NERC investment priorities
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has launched a call for evidence to inform its investment priorities for the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review period (2016–2020). The call is open to all NERC stakeholders, including researchers. The call for evidence is framed around 5 key questions, covering themes such as: impact, partnerships; and regional/local growth agenda. The deadline for submissions is 23 March 2015.
Call for papers on next generation infrastructure for special issue
The International Journal of Complexity in Applied Science and Technology has issued a call for papers for a special issue on Next generation infrastructure: from complex technological artefacts to agents of social change. One of the guest editors is Dr Tom Dolan, currently working on the International Centre for Infrastructure Futures (ICIF). Manuscripts must be submitted online by 30 March 2015.
ICE election update…
The Institution of Civil Engineers has published its Manifesto for Infrastructure – General Election 2015, with a focus on adapting the UK’s infrastructure to climate change.
Events
Architecture and resilience on a human scale
University of Sheffield, 10–12 September 2015
This conference will consider how to build local resilience to challenges such as climate change, extreme weather and limited resources. A call for disruptive workshops to explore new perspectives on achieving resilience is open until 31 March.