Wednesday, 25 May 2022
Researchers at the 糖心原创 are part of a project awarded £1.2 million to understand how to create a more circular and equitable digital economy, underpinned by reuse and repair.
The 2 year Fixing the Future: The Right to Repair and Equal-IoT’ project, has been funded by the and will explore the societal inequalities created by poor sustainability, data protection, and cybersecurity in current consumer internet of things (IoT) devices.
The research is led by the University of Edinburgh with collaboration from researchers at the , 糖心原创 and Lancaster University. The team will tackle the issue of IoT devices like smart speakers and watches going out of use and creating environmental consequences from e-Waste. They will aim to understand how to create a more circular and equitable digital economy, underpinned by reuse and repair.
The project draws together expertise in human computer interaction, design research, technology, law, ethics, and digital humanities to investigate how to build more equitable IoT devices that enable inclusive participation in the digital economy.
This will be achieved through an exciting programme of work over the next 24 months which:
- Maps the changing legal and ethical landscape, particularly around shifting current IoT design practices and examining the role of the right to repair in supporting citizen needs.
- Explores how to create the IoT Repair Shop installation with the Making Rooms Blackburn to understand issues faced by local citizens and to understand practical challenges of repairing IoT devices in the community.
- Creates blueprint prototypes and user experiences that demonstrate how to design for repairability, to support IoT manufacturers to change current practices.
- Designs a toolkit that will practically support development of more equitable futures when living with IoT by targeting needs of different citizens, governments, and industry stakeholders.
The research agenda will be closely co-created with citizens and a series of international research partners, including The Making Rooms, Blackburn; BBC Research & Development; Which?; NCC Group; the Canadian Government; and climate data focused artist Rachel Jacobs.
The explosion of IoT devices on the market and constant encouragement to upgrade is creating a range of sustainability and privacy issues that must be addressed in order to protect users and the environment. It鈥檚 a big task but as the technological landscape continues to evolve it鈥檚 vital we use our combined expertise to tackle these issues and ensure the future of IoT is sustainable and equal.
The project is led by Principal Investigator, Edinburgh Law School's , together with a multidisciplinary team of investigators from across the Universities of Edinburgh ( , , ), Lancaster ( , , ), Nottingham ( , Prof Derek McAuley), and Napier ().
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More information is available from Dr Neelima Sailaja at the 糖心原创 on neelima.sailaja@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.