1. Whispering Trees – a warning in the wind?
The movement of trees by wind creates a unique acoustic environment. This project aims to prove that by measuring and characterising psithurism (the sound of wind in trees), we can better understand tree stability in different weather and seasons, and ultimately manage treefall risk.
This research project will suit you if:
- You have an A Level in Maths
- You have an interest in recording and composing sound as a form of research
- You are interested in the impact of the weather on natural and urban life
Also available in Environmental Change.
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2. Mapping interdisciplinarity through educational data mining
Interdisciplinary practice has a long-standing connection to pedagogy. This project aims to work across the social, computer and physical sciences to come up with a programme that will map new forms of interdisciplinarity and ways they can be applied in the classroom and beyond.
This research project will suit you if:
- You have experience in computer programming
- You have an interest in the history and innovations of pedagogical practice
- You are interested in wider theories of collaboration and interdisicplinarity
Also available in Society in Transition.
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3. Just how sustainable is that material?
Sustainability is a complex and contested term. Using an interdisciplinary framework of production, consumption and waste management, this project aims to critically examine the sustainability of various materials across their entire life-cycle with the aim of rethinking the way this term is applied.
This research project will suit you if:
- You have expereince of working in the material sciences
- You are interested in sustainability issues
- You are interested in applying non-material scientific critial frameworks (such as legal, social and political) to a scientific problem.
Also available in Environmental Change.
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4. Looking back to think ahead: Researching the 'To-day and To-morrow' essay series
The 'To-day and To-morrow' series were over 100 essays written from 1923 that discussed the past, present and future of different subjects, from sciences and arts to politics, society, sexuality, culture and everyday life. This project (in conjunction with the launch of the 2023 essay series ‘FUTURES’) aims to develop an archive of the original titles with accompanying online resources.
This research project will suit you if:
- You have experience in archival research
- You are interested in science and technology communication
- You are interested in working across time periods and bringing foundational ideas to contemporary audiences
Also available in Society in Transition.
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5. Biodiversity Patterns and Dynamics
To better understand how plant and animal species are responding to climate change and changes in land-use we need to be able to model this into the future. This project will enable you to apply mechanistic, computer-based models to simulate biodiversity dynamics based on ecological, evolutionary and environmental mechanisms, such as demographic dynamics, dispersal, physiological trade-offs, resource competition, mutation and diversification.
This research project will suit you if:
- You have experience in computer programming and modelling
- You are interested in climate change/ecology/biodiversity
- You are interested in using models to increase our understanding and to develop practical applications for change
Also available in Environmental Change.