ARCC news for March 2015
ARCC network news
What are you saying about your research data?
Since 2011, EPSRC has required that all articles published with its funding should include a short statement describing how and on what terms any supporting research data may be accessed (pdf 136 KB). Full compliance with this requirement is expected by 1 May 2015 (see policy summary of OpenARCC) and the ARCC network would like to know how you are responding: what you have already done, what you are planning; or your experience of the best way to provide access. Please contact fiona.hewer@ukcip.org.uk.
Calling all ARCC social science researchers!
The International Social Science Council is pulling together a book of blogs – Dialogues of sustainable urbanisation: social science research and transitions to urban contexts and is crowdsourcing the content from networks, including the ARCC network. ARCC’s Knowledge Exchange Manager, Briony Turner is curating new contributions from researchers in the ARCC network. She will work with contributors to prepare a blog for the ARCC website, which can then be submitted for inclusion in the book. ARCC researchers need to submit blog posts for the ISSC book by 6th April.
Addressing the overheating risk – what we can do now
As the summer approaches, we can expect overheated homes to be a hot topic as soon as temperatures start to climb. Dr Anastasia Mylona, Research Manager at the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has written an ARCC guest blog to offer a guide to the technical solutions that are already available. The blog also introduces an evidence review on overheating risk, one of a suite of recent overheating publications from Zero Carbon Hub.
Project news
PhD Studentships in Sustainability and Resilience Infrastructures for Future Cities
Three fully-funded PhD places are on offer at the University of Birmingham to work in an interdisciplinary team to look at issues of urban sustainability, resilience, infrastructures and futures. Applications should be made to Professor Chris Rogers, enclosing a brief CV and an outline of the candidate’s main areas of interest.
Research news on flooding and coastal erosion
The Flooding and Coastal Erosion Risk Management network has just published its Spring 2015 research newsletter. It includes a focus on making better use of local and historic flood data, and on work to estimate the costs and impacts of the 2013/14 floods in England.
Other news
Committee calls for action on floodplain development and adaptation leadership by Government
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) of the House of Commons has just published its report into adaptation to climate change in the UK. The EAC heard evidence from a number of academics from ARCC-related projects. The committee’s main conclusions relate to flooding, particularly concern about the continued construction of homes on floodplains. The report also calls for a clear strategic lead on adaptation from central Government, including the appointment of an adaptation champion.
Engineering Grand Challenges – EPSRC funding for research consortia
EPSRC has launched a call for multi-disciplinary research consortia to address three engineering Grand Challenge areas (providing water for all, restoring balance between engineered and natural systems and engineering across length scales) plus a further proposal to develop and scope the Grand Challenge of identifying risk and building resilience into engineered systems. An Intent to Submit survey must be completed by 26 March 2015, with full proposals invited by 28 April 2015.
Birmingham Fellowship on Sustainability and Resilience of Future Cities
The University of Birmingham is inviting applications for a Fellowship on Sustainability and Resilience of Future Cities. The successful candidate will receive five years’ funding to develop a research portfolio, with a guaranteed academic post at the end of the fellowship. This is one of 25 fellowships on offer in a range of disciplines. The deadline for applications is 28 March 2015.
Building Research & Information: a special issue and a call for abstracts
A special issue of Building Research & Information (BRI), Counting the costs of comfort, has been published. Papers in this issue were based on presentations given at a conference organised by the Network for Comfort and Energy Use in Buildings in 2014.
BRI has also issued a call for abstracts for papers for a forthcoming special issue on Building governance and climate change: regulation and related policies. Abstracts (up to 500 words) should be submitted by 7 April 2015.
Free access to International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment
For March 2015 only, the International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environmentis providing free access to its current issue. Themes covered include adaptation, risk reduction and cities and urban areas.
Industry guide to green infrastructure
The UK Green Building Council has produced a guide, Demystifying Green Infrastructure, for those working in the built environment. It aims to help to establish a business case for creating and maintaining green infrastructure in developments. A summary and a full report are both available to download.
Resources on global interdependencies and climate change impacts
The Stockholm Environment Institute has published a series of resources as part of its Adaptation without Borders project, looking at the indirect impacts of climate change, particularly those that may originate beyond a state or country border. The resources include a conceptual framework to identify four international climate risk pathways, an Adaptation without Borders Index of Exposure, short films and a case study exploring the impact on one family of a rise in the cost of imported rice.
Events
Climate Local Annual Conference, Rising to the challenge: a local government story on delivering climate resilience
23 March 2015, London
Register now or for additional information contact mazvita.chari (020 76443175). This event is free to attend.
UCL Bartlett School of Construction & Project Management Keynote Lecture Series, Prof Timo Valila – So what is infrastructure anyway?
24 March, 6pm, London
More information and to book a place
Future-proofing new and existing buildings
28 April 2015, Belfast
Drawing pathways towards the resilient city: identifying vulnerabilities, empowering decision-making, fostering change
11 May 2015, Copenhagen, Denmark
Download the RAMSES programme (pdf, 410 KB)