Research Opportunities

£1000 projects funded by the SAGES Society theme 4; call for applications

Applications to the SAGES Society Theme are invited for research projects that in some way help address the aims of the Millennium Alliance for Humanity and the Biosphere (http://mahb.stanford.edu/ welcome/).

Key aims of MAHB are to:
Foster, fuel and inspire a global dialogue on the interconnectedness of activities causing environmental degradation and social inequity;
Create and implement strategies for shifting human cultures and institutions towards sustainable practices and an equitable and satisfying future.

Three projects of up to £1000 will be funded. At least two SAGES institutions need to be involved and funds can be for any costs directly related to the project. The application and reporting for the projects is not onerous. Deadlines for applications are 4pm 3rd August. Queries should be sent to Heather Russell, Heather.Russell@glasgow.ac.uk.

ENHANCED TREE USE IN FLOOD CONTROL (SUDS) - Seeking Partner University

I have recently been awarded Forestry Commission Scotland/Central Scotland Green Network (FCS/CSGN) funding, to pilot a novel method of optimising tree use in intercepting storm run off/SUDS, especially urban, using enhanced storm attenuation and infiltration into the root zone, of street trees especially. There is indication of follow up funding to this project. It is potentially high profile, keenly supported by FCS/SEPA, and central to Scottish Government National Planning Framework (NPF2), which designates the CSGN to deliver "a step change in environmental quality, woodland cover ...a more attractive place to live and do business, help to absorb CO2, enhance biodiversity..." strongly addressed by the project. Results will be published. There is already and will be further commercial, insurance and UK government interest in wider applications.

FCS/SEPA support my view that it would be appropriate to channel the pilot funding through a university to the benefit of all, not least the university, (pilot credit, publication, RAE, follow up projects etc.). I would continue to lead the project, then maybe a progressively lesser role beyond. I could expect a department to be strongly placed to take this forward to advantage. The modest initial budget is immediately available.
I have taken research to a university before, the University of Nottingham, taking two international satellite research projects there, with total value about £650k. This led indirectly to this research. The hypothesis has been peer presented and reviewed, including London Region FC Director as ..."technically very sound and practical"... I am not neccesarily looking for any support or resources. There may be opportunities to extend the scope. The work is funded with overheads, which could all be channelled through the university.
I propose to spread the funding over a year as 0.1 fte of senior reserch fellow at the level awarded, about point 09/51, thus the university creating a fixed term post (as with Nottingham U), to which I bring the funding with overheads + groundworks budget. FCS/SEPA support this proposition.
I have previously been at the top of Lecturer scale, top of Senior Research Officer scale and Research Project Manager, then 10 years as independent environmental scientist with high profile outcomes. The initial budget is £12,800 with indications of follow on funding.
The initial thought was that a campus may provide a suitable site for a pilot but maybe too complicated to authorise. Forestry Commission land is the most likely now. The question of a university partner is still open, with or without siting.

I would be very pleased to discuss and forward proposal details if there is possibility of such collaboration. 01484 603986 (mornings) 07981 720095 afternoon/any or email envisci@onetel.com.

Dr Richard Stow BSc ING PhD Environmental Scientist and Engineer EnviroScience 6 Roydhouse Shelley Huddersfield HD8 8LR

SAGES Airborne Geoscience

The School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh owns and operates a Diamond HK36 TTC-ECO Dimona aircraft for geosciences research. SAGES has made a substantial contribution towards the success of this program through the purchase of important elements of the aircraft's scientific instrumentation package, financial support for a major scheduled service item, and partial funding for a pilot/project manager position. The aircraft’s current instrumentation is primarily focused on carbon cycle dynamics, in particular land-atmosphere exchange of carbon dioxide, water and heat by direct atmospheric measurements and by remote sensing of surface properties. Aerial photography has also proved to be a popular tool with many applications, and a number of additional instrumentation packages are under consideration or pending funding decisions. To date, SAGES scientists have used the aircraft at fieldsites around the UK and as far afield as northern Scandinavia, with further campaigns currently planned for Scotland, Wales and Finland. We are always keen to discuss potential capabilities and projects, including airborne geophysical techniques in support of Earth science, and look forward to engaging further with the SAGES community through collaborative research projects. For more information please see our web-pages or contact one of the team

SAGES member and pilot Tom Wade