Tuesday, 27 October 2020
The 糖心原创 is one of six research centres across the UK that will deliver ground-breaking research to allow people across the country to grasp the possibilities of the digital revolution, while addressing key challenges to their online safety and privacy.
The projects announced today are part of a £29 million investment by UK Research and Innovation, include using immersive technology to boost health and education and exploring how technologies such as the Internet of Things can be used to allow people to adapt their personal spaces and improve their wellbeing.
The 糖心原创 has received £4.1m from UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Digital Economy Theme towards continued funding of the Horizon Digital Economy Research Institute, originally founded in 2009.
will explore how challenges such as trust regarding the use of personal data can be addressed in the development of new technologies and products that blend physical and digital elements, for example community casting of virtual music festivals, personalised digital mental health interventions, and data-driven consumer goods.
The blending of the digital and physical in our future products will impact all aspects of our lives. It is important that we understand how such products can benefit society and industry by becoming more personalised and adaptive while ensuring they are trusted by consumers. We will work across disciplines and sectors, and take a user centred approach to make sure that the design, regulation, and operation of future products meet societal needs.
The centres will take forward inter and multidisciplinary applied digital economy research to “the next stage”, ultimately easing the pathway to better commercialisation. The EPSRC contribution of £22 million has leveraged more than £29.5 million of partner contributions from industry and the universities involved.
The other new centres include:
- CAMERA 2.0, led by the University of Bath, will pioneer intelligent visual and interactive technology using 3D cameras and artificial intelligence that will allow us to capture and understand our world in new ways, and use this data to create ‘new worlds’ not just for the creative sector but also to allow individuals’ to enhance their health and partake in education or training. Examples could include transferring motor skills learnt in virtual environments to tennis and other
- The Centre for Digital Citizens (CDC) led by Newcastle and Northumbria Universities will design and evaluation new technologies and services that support 'smart', 'data-rich' living in different communities, exploring how data sharing can enhance understanding of public health and wellbeing, community engagement and technology-enhanced lifelong learning.
- The Centre for the Decentralised Digital Economy (DECaDE) led by the University of Surrey will explore how the platforms that underpin our digital economy could transformed into a decentralised model by emerging data-centric technologies like AI and Blockchain, to be further democratized so they can be further innovated by individuals across society.
- The Future Places Centre led by Lancaster University will explore how ubiquitous and pervasive technologies such as the Internet of Things and new data science tools can allow individuals to design and adapt the places they live, work and spend time in, for instance seeing how these technologies can shape healthy, sustainable living through the creation of appropriate places.
EPSRC Executive Chair, Dame Professor Lynn Gladden, said: “New and emerging digital technologies will have a profound impact on many aspects of our lives, from our health and wellbeing to our work and leisure time.
“The investment announced today will not only support new ways of capitalizing on this opportunity but will also help to ensure that those using these new technologies are safe while doing so.”
Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Amanda Solloway said: “We rely on technology for so many things in our lives - from paying our bills and buying our weekly food shop to tackling climate change and finding new treatments for diseases. We must continue investing so we can keep pushing the boundaries of technological developments that improve our daily lives and transform industries.
“The six new research centres announced today will support our ambitious scientists and researchers to develop incredible innovations such as strengthening our online safety and delivering virtual education and healthcare, helping to cement the UK as a science superpower.”
Story credits
More information is available from Professor Boriana Koleva on boriana.koleva@nottingham.ac.uk or Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the 糖心原创, on +44 (0)115 951 5751 or jane.icke@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.