ARCC news September 2016
Hello,
We are busy preparing for the EPSRC/ARCC network workshop onbuilt environment research challenges in London on 28 September. We’ll be working with researchers and stakeholders to identify emerging research challenges and the priorities that are needed to realise a resilient and sustainable built environment.
In order to deliver research directly to decision-makers, the ARCC network will have a presence at this year’s UK Construction Week – 18–20 October at the NEC in Birmingham.
I’d like to remind you of our bespoke workshop for early career researchers to be held in York on 12–13 October to develop the skills needed for effective stakeholder engagement. If you or someone you know would benefit from this workshop, there are a few places still available.
Risks to water supply were identified in the recently released Climate Change Risk Assessment Evidence Report 2017. UK power generators need to better understand these risks in order to prepare for weather-related disruptions, while policymakers need to take action to ensure security of the supply to the nation. We’ve prepared a summary paper based on a systematic review of the impacts of climate variability, and the change in energy systems in Europe (pdf, 2.7 MB).
Please read on and enjoy.
Roger B Street, Principal Investigator
News from the ARCC network
EPSRC / ARCC Adaptation and resilience in the built environment: informing future research council investments
28 September, London
Expressions of interest to attend this workshop are now closed, however please get in touch you have additional ideas to contribute. And watch this space as we will be producing a report reflecting the discussions at the workshop, and looking towards a resilient and sustainable built environment.
UK Construction Week
18–20 October, NEC Birmingham
We’re delighted to bring together a range of research projects under the themes of flood risk, building performance, future materials, and design safety for the year’s UKConstruction Week.
Make sure you follow @ARCC_CN over the coming weeks, as we will be promoting leading research at our stand. This includes a web-based tool from the University of West England to enable designers to assess and improve their capability to create products that are inherently safe for contractors to build and maintain, and also safe for occupants to use: Safety first: prevention through design @UWEBristol.
You will need to register to attend this free event.
ARCC ECR skills workshop: Engaging stakeholders to achieve impact,
12–13 October, York
An opportunity for ECRs to develop their approaches, skills and qualities that help improve stakeholder engagement and enhance the value of research outputs. There is no charge for participating, but registration is essential and places are limited to 25.
If you are an EPSRC- or recently funded early career researcher working on adaptation and resilience in the built environment and infrastructure sectors, then this complimentary workshop is for you.
ARCC / CIBSE / IET Breathe easy – engineering air quality solutions now
21 October 2016, Curzon Building, University of Birmingham
Pollution and poor air quality, particularly in urban areas, is an increasing concern for local authorities, health and public services, and the public alike. You are invited to a conference that will highlight both the problems and the practical engineering and policy solutions which will address UK air quality challenges and opportunities. Emphasis will be on practical actionable advice, relevant and recent case studies and signposting to information resources and proven solutions.
UKCIP Director contributes to UNA Climate 2020 launch
The Paris Agreement recognises that nations must do much more to adapt to unavoidable climate change. Roger B Street outlines just how important the role of adaptation is in addressing the challenges associated with climate change.
Seasonal health & ageing in urban populations
Ever wondered what the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is and how what impacts it might have on you? Or the elderly? Or those less mobile? Our new blog from Dr Anna Mavrogianni investigates the seasonal health and climate change resilience of elderly urban populations for 3 large cities.
Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium (ITRC) – communications post
Applications are open until 3 October for this part-time post with the EPSRC-funded research programme based out of the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford.
Calls for funding
NERC public engagement with research – due 3 November 2016
In delivering its public engagement strategy, NERC are calling for proposalscosting up to £20k to be delivered between January and March 2017. It is anticipated that there will be subsequent, larger calls over longer timescales in future years.
Built environment & infrastructure news
Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) Blog – the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to improve the performance of buildings
When considering the performance of buildings, it is far beyond just energy or the savings that can be realised in energy consumption. Dr Valeria Branciforti from Knowledge Transfer Networks outlines the complexity of buildings and that high quality spaces can be created that both trim operational costs as well as reduce environmental impact.
Abstracts due – European Climate Change Adaptation 2017, 30 September 2017
ECCA 2017 will be held on 5–9 June 2017 in Glasgow. It will build upon the achievements of ECCA 2013 in Hamburg and ECCA 2015 in Copenhagen, which emphasised research-policy-practice links and the emerging adaptation services offered by businesses. To be part of this conference, submit your abstract for a poster, talk or session.
Learning on knowledge exchange – the CXC model: How we do what we do
The ClimateXChange centre of expertise was designed to build an effective, trusting relationship between policy teams and the research community in Scotland. In a new report, the learning from the first five years of operation is captured and sample projects illustrate the key processes to successful knowledge exchange between research and policy (pdf, 6 MB).
If you’re interested in learning more about coordinating a knowledge exchange network, we have recently published a report on our own experiences.
Vote now: homes that can save Britain from climate change
The Sunday Times has shortlisted five flood-proof designs for voters to choose the resilient home of the future.
Events
Communicating Climate Change – connecting cognitive science and climate science
10–11 November 2016, London
This workshop will bring together expertise from the cognitive science, psychology, climate science and policy-making communities, with the goal of improving accessibility to climate science evidence.
Flood and Coast 2017: Risk, resilience and response in a changing climate
28–30 March 2017, Telford
The second Flood and Coast conference will take place in Telford, 28-30 March 2017. Again led by the Environment Agency, this event will draw together stakeholders from the flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCRM) community, including local authorities, infrastructure owners, consultancies, contractors, businesses, community groups and universities. Join more than 1500 fellow professionals to exchange a broad range of perspectives on innovation and best practices in FCRM.