Collective efforts needed to protect agriculture for food security
Mar 7, 2024
Summary
Collective efforts of all the government and non-government organizations concerned can be the best way of protecting agriculture from the existing challenges in the region. Academics and agricultural experts came up with the observation while addressing a stakeholder workshop titled "Assessing Community Actions and Livelihood Coping Mechanisms against Climate Change Impacts in Rajshahi region" here today.
Prof Bingu Ingirige from Salford University and Prof Anwarul Abedin from the BAU's Soil Science Department addressed the workshop as focal persons.
University of Salford labs achieve bronze LEAF awards
May 22, 2025
Source
University of Salford Internal Comms
Summary
We are pleased to share that two of our laboratories have achieved a bronze LEAF award. The Environment Lab and Megalab Teaching Lab in Cockcroft Building have demonstrated their commitment to operating more sustainably.
The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) is a sustainable labs accreditation scheme that provides lab users with a framework to address and improve their sustainability practices.
The University is undertaking an institution-wide rollout of LEAF. The adoption of LEAF across the organisation will support the University in achieving its net-zero carbon targets across all scopes, and bring several additional benefits, including financial savings from the reduced use of lab consumables, electricity, and water; safer lab working practices; and lab users who are empowered to proactively change and challenge processes in the workplace.
Congratulations to everyone involved especially our technician teams Nicky Morgan and Adam Sharples in the MegaLab, and Cara Tobin in the Environment Lab, as well as Matthew Jones, Phillip Dodd-Chandler, Johan Rott and Nigel Blandford for leading the programme.
This is one of the programmes implemented in response to the University of Salford becoming a signatory to the UKRI Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice.
The voluntary concordat has been co-developed by the UK research and innovation (R&I) sector and represents a shared ambition for the UK to continue delivering cutting-edge research, but in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable way.
The aim of the Concordat is to ensure research and innovation continues to play a critical part in understanding how our planet is changing, while helping us to act responsibly to protect and promote our environment. Signatories will align with the science of climate change and ecology and commit to transparently sharing information and learnings about the environmental impacts of their work.
As a signatory to the Concordat, we have committed to taking action to deliver change in the following six areas:
Leadership and system change
Sustainable infrastructure
Sustainable procurement
Emissions from business and academic travel
Collaborations and partnerships
Environmental impact and reporting data
These actions will reduce environmental impacts and emissions associated with carrying out research and innovation, supporting our aim of achieving net zero carbon as set out in the sustainability theme of the new University Strategy ‘Innovating to Enrich Lives’ and our Sustainability Strategy.
Read more about how we are embedding sustainability in our research and find out how to get involved in LEAF.
Speaker at the UK-BiH Fellowship Programme - Study Tour on Spatial Planning & Disaster Management (Organised by the British Council and the THINKlab)
Apr 11, 2025
The UK-BiH Fellowship Programme – Study Tour on Spatial Planning & Disaster Management was aimed at equipping delegates with essential skills to enhance leadership, governance, and policymaking expertise among professionals in BiH. By facilitating knowledge exchange, policy insights, and interactive learning experiences, the programme sought to address key urban and environmental challenges and drive institutional and societal advancements towards creating sustainable and resilient environments.
As part of the programme, this study tour, delivered in partnership with the British Council and the THINKlab at the University of Salford, focused on sustainable urban development and disaster management. The programme was designed to support BiH professionals in addressing key urban and environmental challenges through knowledge exchange, policy insights, and hands-on learning experiences.
During this two-day study tour and the workshop held at the USAL hosted by THINKlab, I delivered a talk titled 'Anticipatory Actions for Reducing Hazard Impact on Communities' to the delegates from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
journal article published from my PhD research has been referenced by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) in Australia, a world-leading institute for public engagement.
Jul 1, 2025
Summary
The paper “Assessing the state of the art in community engagement for participatory decision-making in disaster risk-sensitive urban development” has contributed to policy discourse and development in Australia. It was included in the Selected Reading list of the 2023 report Community Influence in Public Decision-Making, authored by Sally Hussey and published by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2).
IAP2 is recognised as a world-leading institute for public engagement, representing the world’s largest community of engagement professionals. Its mission is to promote and improve the practice of community and stakeholder engagement globally. The inclusion of this paper in their selected readings highlights its value in advancing international best practices and influencing professional understanding in participatory governance and decision-making.
Article Reference:
Geekiyanage, D., Fernando, T., & Keraminiyage, K. (2020). Assessing the state of the art in community engagement for participatory decision-making in disaster risk-sensitive urban development. International journal of disaster risk reduction, 51, 101847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101847
Invited to the IAP2 Spectrum Evolution workshop, organised by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) in Australia, a world-leading institute for public engagement.
Jul 1, 2025
Summary
I was invited to the IAP2 Spectrum Evolution workshop, organised by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) in Australia, a world-leading institute for public engagement, held in October 2024.
Worldwide, the IAP2 Spectrum is regarded by many as a primary tool for engagement. Since its introduction in 1998, the tool itself has remained unchanged. However, numerous organisations, governments, and practitioners have developed various adaptations and versions of the IAP2 Spectrum, reflecting its natural evolution over time.
During this workshop, I was involved in the discussion providing key insights into the central question: “Is the Spectrum, in its current form, fit for purpose to guide engagement for the next few years, and what, if anything, can be done to improve it?”
New flood research finds Derbyshire town 'distrusts authorities' ahead of showdown over 400 homes development plan
Feb 27, 2025
Source
Derbyshire Times
Summary
A new report by climate resilience researchers has urged authorities to do more to protect Matlock from the threat of flooding, just as the town prepares for a final showdown over plans for hundreds of new houses on hillside fields.
In the hope of learning lessons to apply elsewhere in the UK, social scientists Ruth Mckie and Adam Aitken, from De Montford and Salford universities respectively, carried out field research in Matlock to understand how members of the community are trying to make the town more resilient to increasingly frequent and severe flooding.
CRANN Film directed by Laura Hilliard (2020) Discussed in Dialoguer avec la nature
Jul 2, 2025
Summary
Quand la poésie se transforme en arbre
Dialogue des arts avec la nature
Publication type: Article from a collective work
Collective work:
Dialoguer avec la nature
Author: Guétemme (Geneviève)
Pages: 25 to 37
Collection: Encounters, n° 683
Series: Cultural semiotics, n° 1
Dr Adam Aitken provided key evidence on behalf of the Wolds Action Group versus William Davis Homes in a Government funded public inquiry into the proposed development of 400 homes in Matlock.
“David versus Goliath” Plans to build more than 400 homes on open countryside above Derbyshire town rejected at appeal - due to flooding and public safety concerns
Aug 5, 2025
A developer’s attempt to build more than 400 homes on the open countryside above a Derbyshire town have been rejected at appeal due to flooding and public safety concerns.
Government inspector Joanna Gilbert has dismissed an appeal from William Davis Homes to build 423 homes and a slew of facilities and services on the Matlock Wolds hillside off Gritstone Road, Sandy Lane and Pinewood Road.
This followed the rejection of the plans by Derbyshire Dales District Council in March 2024 with significant concerns over the potential flood impact on the town below which has been repeatedly ravaged by the combined flooding from the river, hillside and sewer system.
In what had been dubbed a “David versus Goliath” battle, residents’ campaign group the Wolds Action Group (now renamed Save our Greenfields) took on William Davis Homes single-handedly after the withdrawal of the district council’s objections following a close-doors meeting in January.
Feel the Science: Exploring the Senses Through Physiology August 2025
Aug 12, 2025
Source
University of Salford Comms
Summary
Bringing science to the palm of your hand, Salford academics (Dr Sam Borland and Dr Matthew Jones) hosted a brand-new event "Feel the Science: Exploring the Senses Through Physiology" at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum, which was visited by over 500 visitors.
