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Research Highlights
This section details recent research highlights for the group. We also give some indication about what might become future highlights.
Green Fiscal Commission Report Published
Added 27 October 2009
Professor Stephen Potter is one of the Commissioners for the independent cross-party Green Fiscal Commission. He provided a particular contribution to the Commission on the politically difficult area of transport taxation, drawing upon his long-term research in the design of fiscal instruments to cut transport CO2 emissions.
The Commission's Final Report was issued at a Parliamentary briefing on October 26th, with support from Lord Adair Turner (Chair of the Committee on Climate Change), Greg Barker MP (Conservative), Chris Huhne MP (Liberal Democrats), and Dr Alan Whitehead MP (Labour).
The Report has received wide media coverage [details] and seems set to play a significant role in the environment and taxation debate of all parties in the runup to the 2010 General Election.
For a summary and download of the report go to: http://www.greenfiscalcommission.org.uk/index.php/site/about/final_report/
Dr Stephen Peake publishes new book
Climate Change: From Science to Sustainability
Added 8 July 2009
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‘Climate Change: From science to sustainability takes the reader on an
exciting and stimulating journey from understanding the science of climate
change to discovering how it fits into the complex sustainability debate.’
Dr Chris Hope, Reader, Policy Modelling, University of Cambridge and Lead
Author IPCC AR4
‘If climate change is the biggest problem facing us in the 21st century then
we need a reliable guide as we grope towards a solution. You are holding
that guide in your hands: a lively introduction to the full range of climate
issues, ranging from science to ethics to policy. Everyone should have one.’
Andrew Dobson, Professor of Politics, Keele University
Climate change has been described as ‘the greatest challenge facing
humanity’. In one of the most ambitious intellectual projects in human history,
thousands of researchers from different disciplines have sought to explain how
human activity – above all the burning of fossil fuels – is changing the Earth’s
climate. The consequences for human societies could be enormous. Attempting
to reduce the risk of dangerous climate change, and learning to live with the
changes that we are already locked into, represent great challenges.
Climate Change: From science to sustainability is the perfect guide and course
companion as you explore the challenges that lie ahead.
• The first student text to provide a truly balanced account of this
important field.
• A lively and interactive text, written by two authors with complementary
expertise, and a wealth of valuable experience.
• Equips the reader with an awareness of the need for an interdisciplinary
approach to tackling climate change, combining science, technology, and
humanities and social science.
• Activities, boxes and questions throughout encourage the reader to engage
actively with the subject matter, helping them to develop the skills needed
to be part of our response to this global challenge.
The cover photograph shows an artwork Greenhouse Gas installed on an Arctic
beach in West Greenland on ground vacated by a melting glacier. The architect
Sunand Prasad intends his artwork to prompt awareness of how actions
have consequences. When the balloons are released up to the full height of
their tethers the volume of space in the cube between the tethers is 540 m3,
what one tonne of CO2 occupies. Most people in the developed world will
release at least this amount of CO2 in a month through their use of electricity,
transport, heating, food and so on. If everyday life is to become environmentally
sustainable then developed world lifestyles will have to be transformed such
that one tonne of CO2 emissions will ‘last’ almost a year. This book is about
understanding the science, policy and politics implied in that challenge.
Photo: Nathan Gallagher/Cape Farewell 2008
Take a look at the U316 Course
New Research Project - The Intelligent Geometry Compressor
Added 27 February 2009
An approach to the significant saving of energy in axial compressors, as used in jet engine turbines and in gas distribution. Expressions of interest are welcomed. Intelligent Geometry Compressor (IGC)
ATELIER-D Creating a virtual design studio
Members of the design group have been successful in gaining £180k funding from JISC for a project entitled 'Achieving Transformation, Enhanced Learning and Innovation through Educational Resources in Design: Atelier-D'. The two year project will focus on the development and use of virtual spaces and tools to create an online design studio environment that will support student learning across the design programme. Project members are Steve Garner (PI), Georgy Holden (Project Manager), Emma Dewberry, Peter Lloyd, Nicole Schadewitz, Theo Zamenopoulous (all Design) and Giselle Ferreira (Dept of Communications and Systems). AtelierD blog
New Book: Writing on Drawing, edited by Steve Garner
An increased public and academic interest in drawing and sketching, both traditional and digital, has allowed drawing research to emerge recently as a discipline in its own right. In light of this development, Writing on Drawing presents a collection of essays by leading artists and drawing researchers that reveal a provocative agenda for the field, analyzing the latest work on creativity, education and thinking from a variety of perspectives. Writing on Drawing is a forward-looking text that provokes enquiry and shared understanding of contemporary drawing research and practice. An essential resource for artists, scientists, designers, and engineers, this volume offers consolidation, discussion and guidance for a previously fragmented discipline.
ISBN 9781841502007
Hardback 230x174mm
Published Intellect Books & NSEAD, October 2008
Price £24.95
Part of the Readings in Art and Design Education series
New Design Innovation Group / Energy Saving Trust report on widespread household take up of microgeneration heat
A new report (YIMBY Generation – Yes in my back yard! UK householders pioneerig microgeneration heat) examining consumer adoption and non-adoption of microgeneration heat technologies (solar thermal, heat pumps, biomass heating) released June 2008 by the Open University's Design Innovation Group/Sustainable Technologies Group and the Energy Saving Trust, and funded by the University of East Anglia’s Carbon Connections Fund, reveals the financial, regulatory and logistical solutions that will encourage a greater uptake of microgeneration heat technologies in homes across the UK.
Click here to download the report
Page Last Updated: 27 October, 2009