Connect: Issue 59

March 2008 Issue 59

Keeping you in touch with opportunities from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

www.epsrc.ac.uk

EPSRC and Arup join forces Design and engineering for the built environment EPSRC Chief Executive Professor David Delpy and Terry Hill, Chair of Arup, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a jointly funded and executed strategic partnership for design and engineering in the built environment.

Strategic partnerships are formal arrangements between EPSRC and other organisations where we agree to jointly support research, training and other activities in UK universities.

A partnership can involve one or several organisations, and gives a framework for supporting mutually-beneficial activities in areas of interest.

Arup and EPSRC have already pursued collaboration opportunities for UK academics and Chinese researchers arising from Arup’s Dongtan eco-city project in China. As a result a number of networks have subsequently been funded by EPSRC and supported by Arup.

Jeremy Watson, Director of Global Research at Arup said: “This partnership formalises our already strong relationship with EPSRC. It will facilitate mutual benefits including sharing research priorities and specific academic research into technologies with application to design and engineering for the built environment.”

David Delpy, Chief Executive of EPSRC and Terry Hill, Chair of Arup signing the Memorandum of Understanding

Contact: Claire Tansley, claire.tansley@epsrc.ac.uk

Consultation on nanotechnology for healthcare Have your say

THE SUMMER of 2008 will see a call issued by EPSRC for large-scale integrated projects within the theme of ‘nanotechnology for healthcare’. The call is an activity within the Research Councils’ wider strategy of ‘Nanoscience through Engineering to Application’.

Within this call, healthcare will be considered in its broadest sense, for example including nanomedicine, nanotechnology for diagnostics and nanotechnology-enabled devices for drug discovery. To provide more focus in what is a broad theme we are running an open consultation to identify the topics on which this call could concentrate, and would like to ask for your help with this.

We are looking for ideas from researchers, users and other stakeholders.

Your ideas will be combined with input from other potential co-funders and outputs from public engagement activities to help us develop the call. We intend to provide over £5m through this call, and your suggestions could have a direct effect on its allocation.

You can send us your ideas for the call by completing a short online questionnaire, or by downloading it and emailing your response to us. Links to the questionnaire can be found on our website. At this stage we are looking for suggestions for topics for this call, and some explanation of the merits of these topics, only. Please don’t send any proposals for research projects! All responses need to be received by 12 March 2008.

This call will be one in a series of grand challenge calls for proposals which are a major feature of our strategy for nanotechnology. These address societal and/or economic issues where nanotechnology can make a unique and significant contribution. From the outset, each grand challenge project will be an integrated, interdisciplinary activity encompassing basic research through to the development of the technology to the point where it can be deployed.

This grand challenge approach is one that EPSRC is using across the breath of its remit to tackle important issues identified through consultations with stakeholders.

Contact: ngchealth@epsrc.ac.uk Further information: www.epsrc.ac.uk/nanotechnology

Inside Economy 2 Digital Workshop

Building new collaborations

plans 3 EPSRC for the future

The next three years

be the 4 Music food of science?

You’re twisting my melon, man!

5 Calls

Forthcoming EPSRC funding opportunities

6 Reviewers’ Incentive Scheme Rewarding your efforts

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Digital Economy workshop Human bingo, café and collaboration ON 4-5 DECEMBER 2007 eighty researchers from the academic and end-user communities gathered at Burleigh Court conference centre in Loughborough to form cross-disciplinary collaborations to address the challenges of the Digital Economy (DE). The Digital Economy has been identified as a key cross-council priority area in the RCUK Delivery Plan. EPSRC, in partnership with AHRC, ESRC and MRC will be committing significant funding to the programme over the next three years.

The Digital Economy aims to facilitate the early adoption of information technologies, in order to realise the transformational possibilities they offer for generating societal and economic benefits.

By supporting basic and user-led research projects, and the skilled people behind them, we can instigate the step-change in engagement with industry and society which is necessary to meet key challenges.

Engaging talks gave users’ views on the challenges facing industry and their visions of how DE might have a transformational impact on business and society. Perspectives were presented from government (Ian Watmore, DIUS), the transport sector (Phil Blythe, Newcastle

University), the healthcare sector (Iain Buchan, Manchester University), the financial services sector (Richard Martin, APACS), the creative industries (Graham Thomas, BBC) and also from Dave Watson of IBM who is chair of the DE Programme Advisory Board.

Workshop participants were encouraged to ‘bring a friend’ from a different discipline or from industry with them. Through a series of networking and idea-generation exercises the delegates have begun to form cross-disciplinary relationships. Participants found the workshop invaluable for the development of cross-disciplinary networking, resulting in enormous excitement for the potential research opportunities and challenges for DE. Cluster proposals were invited from the participants to build on these new collaborations and to further develop the emerging research ideas. EPSRC has committed up to £4m to support outcomes from this workshop and an earlier call for ‘Feasibility Studies in Novel ICT Developments for the Digital Economy’, which closed in December 2007. A further £100m will be committed by EPSRC over the next three years to grow this research area.

Contact: Wendy Howie, wendy.howie@epsrc.ac.uk

Local authorities and Research Councils

Nanoscience across Europe

Working in partnership

Delivering priorities

THE Local Authority Research Council Initiative (LARCI) aims

THE EPSRC Delivery Plan highlights ‘Nanoscience through Engineering to Application’ as one of four priority research themes which aim to build a coherent programme to pull basic research through to application. The strategic importance of international engagement was also recognised, with a clear agenda for increasing the Research Councils’ activities in a range of target countries.

As part of the delivery of these priority areas, EPSRC is a member of NanoSci-E+, a body created specifically for the implementation of a transnational call for collaborative projects in nanoscience in which research agencies from 13 countries of the European Research Area (ERA) participate.

Launched on 3 January, the call aims to provide scientists working in the ERA with a platform to form the new and multidisciplinary collaborations that are essential for ambitious and original projects at the frontier of knowledge in the nanosciences. Applicants are subject to a single peer review process, which removes the double jeopardy issue that can be a significant barrier to international collaboration.

A minimum of €16m will be available to support high-quality projects, potentially complemented by an additional €8m from the European Commission.

NanoSci-E+ is affiliated to NanoSci-ERA, a consortium which promotes the integration of national research communities in nanoscience throughout the ERA, as well as the coordination of programmes supporting research in this domain.

to bring local authorities and the Research Councils into closer partnership. The Research Councils are major public investors in research in the UK, and fund a large amount of research relevant to local government policy and practice.

Strategically positioned at the interface between local authorities and the Research Councils, LARCI was established in 1997 in response to the growing demand on local authorities for evidence-based policymaking. Input from local authorities helps the Research Councils ensure the projects they fund have practical applications; using Research Council-funded research helps local authorities ensure their policies are based on reliable information.

LARCI organises a seminar series, produces e-bulletins and a quarterly newsletter, all available at: www.larci.org.uk. LARCI also offers a brokering service, putting academics and local government practitioners in contact for mutual benefit. LARCI welcomes examples of research relevant to local government; please contact andrea.turner@esrc.ac.uk.

A ground-breaking concordat has been signed between the Research Councils and Local Government, leading to an enhanced relationship between the sectors. Combined with a recent summit, held at the Royal Society in November 2007, this will ensure better knowledge exchange between the Research Councils and local authorities at a strategic and operational level.

Contact: Gareth Buchanan, gareth.buchanan@epsrc.ac.uk

Contact: Matthew Ball, matthew.ball@epsrc.ac.uk

Further information: www.larci.org.uk

Further information: www.nanoscience-europe.org

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EPSRC plans for the future Spending priorities set out EPSRC published its Delivery Plan on 11 December, outlining our high-level priorities and plans for the period 2008-09 to 2010-11. These respond to the challenges facing society and the economy and include a number of priority research themes, in addition to providing support for a healthy research base and encouraging greater economic impact.

Four priority research themes (which cross Research Council remits) are being led by EPSRC: •

• •

•

The largest portion of our funding over the Spending Review period will go into our support for a healthy research base. This will provide an essential platform for the sort of open-ended, globally competitive research which supports a vibrant and sustainable research environment and ensures the UK is well placed to respond to future challenges.

Our main aims here are to encourage our community to be more ambitious and to think about ‘transformative’ research – projects which could radically change current understanding or even create new fields of study. Our key strategies are to:

Energy – bringing together all aspects of energy-related research and training, including power generation and supply, demand reduction, transport and alternative fuels and working closely with the new Energy Technologies Institute Digital economy – increasing the impact of ICT in transforming how business, government and society operates Nanoscience through engineering to application – pulling basic research through to application through a grand challenge approach Towards next-generation healthcare – working with relevant partners to improve the pull-through of research results to clinical products and practice.

• •

•

Another substantial block of future investment is targeted on securing the future supply of people. This will support the talented individuals without whom there cannot be a healthy research base. Key strategies here are: • increased use of centre-based training to align with our strategy, and strengthening the international competitiveness of the UK PhD • restructuring our Fellowship schemes • meeting the training needs of business and users • attracting the next generation of researchers.

We are also contributing to other cross council programmes on ‘Living with environmental change’, ‘Global threats to security’ and ‘Ageing: Lifelong health and well being’.

In addition to these themes we are supporting a drive ‘Towards better exploitation’. We need to work together with the people and organisations that receive our funding in order to maximise the impact of the UK’s investment in science and engineering.

Key strategies include: •

•

•

encourage leading edge groups to apply for more ambitious and flexible programmes of work signpost strategic areas, identifying subjects or issues which evidence outside our peer review system suggests offer exciting additional opportunities encourage the development of ‘Grand Challenges’ – some will be identified by EPSRC e.g. in nanotechnology and others will be developed by communities, as is being currently trialled in chemistry.

The Delivery Plan contains detailed information on the level of funding which we intend to make available for all of the activities outlined above, over the next three years. Regional meetings to help disseminate the Delivery Plan and get your views are being held over the next few months. Further details of these will be available in a later edition of Connect.

increased business-focused training e.g. expanding the EngD concept into other disciplines and encouraging people exchange between academia and business accelerating the exploitation of research outputs to enhance business pull and address societal grand challenges, for instance expanding strategic partnerships with TSB, ETI and user-based organisations providing increased opportunities for follow-on activities.

Further information: www.epsrc.ac.uk

Research Council institutes and EPSRC

UK National Grid Service

Changes to eligibility

IN ORDER to involve the user community more, the NGS website has

Improved website goes live been updated. Among several changes, the home page now features a ‘Research Focus’ section, highlighting groundbreaking work in a wide variety of disciplines that is taking place with the help of the NGS. So far projects have included research into astronomy databases, cell membrane permeation and understanding electrical defibrillation of the heart. Further suggestions for Research Focus are very welcome.

An NGS forum (https://forum.ngs.ac.uk/) has also been created in which users can discuss a wide range and variety of topics such as NGS software and training. A User Community area also allows users to discuss the application of the NGS within particular research areas such as biomolecular simulation. If you would like an area set up for your research topic then please let us know. There are also general discussion fora available where anything goes, and everyone is encouraged to contribute to these.

CURRENTLY, not all Research Councils’ institutes can apply for EPSRC funding, and then only for some modes. From 1 April 2008 we will be changing our eligibility criteria in order to allow a wider range of institutes to apply for both responsive and targeted funding.

In preparation for this, the Research Administration Convergence Group (which has representation from all Councils) will re-examine the list of institutes to confirm eligibility. Once they have made their decisions we will implement the change, at which point a full list of eligible institutes will be made available from the RCUK website.

It is likely that the current list will change, and so you should not start to prepare applications until after 1 April.

Any proposal received from any organisation will of course still be subject to our remit criteria for acceptance.

Contact: Gillian Sinclair, gillian.sinclair@manchester.ac.uk

Contact: Douglas Niven, douglas.niven@epsrc.ac.uk

Further information: www.ngs.ac.uk

Further information: www.rcuk.ac.uk/research/eligibility

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Connect March 2008 Issue 59

Music be the food of science?

Cutting-veg public engagement award MAKING whistles out of carrots, or drums from melons, may seem strange science and engineering, but it challenges students to think about the physical structure and properties of the fruit or vegetable, and the various ways they can be shaped in order to make different sounds. That’s just what Dr Ray Mathias (a plant biologist), Steve Mesure (a physicist) and Eugene Skeef (a musician and composer), regularly do in a one-day workshop – ‘Growing Sound’.

Growing Sound is a part of the ‘Sound Matters’ family of projects, jointly managed by the Universities of Salford and Southampton and funded through an EPSRC Public Engagement Stage Award. It combines music, plant biology and the physics of sound with physical activities, mime and the design and making of instruments. ”Growing Sound gives pupils, of all abilities, the chance to really engage with science and to realise that we are all engineers and scientists at some level”, said Dr Steve Dorney, schools outreach coordinator at the University of Southampton’s Institute of Sound and Vibration Research. “Getting young people involved in science is a national priority, and Growing Sound is helping address how we teach science in order to engage more students.”

Contact: Victoria Bradley, victoria.bradley@epsrc.ac.uk

XPS Analysis Service Free access and assistance now available FOLLOWING

the recent award of an EPSRC grant under a call for ‘Access to Materials Research Equipment’, UK academic researchers now have access to a state-of-the-art X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer in the School of Chemistry at Cardiff University. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) is an ultra-high vacuum technique which provides quantitative elemental and chemical analysis of the surface (ca 2-3 nm) of a solid. The sample is irradiated by monochromatic X-rays and the emitted photoelectrons energy-analysed using an electrostatic analyser in order to generate a photoelectron spectrum. A chemical shift effect is used to probe the local environment of the photo-emitting atom, providing information on local structure and ligands. XPS finds application in a variety of research fields, such as heterogeneous catalysis, nanoscience, materials, adhesion and fracture studies, to name just a few.

The Cardiff instrument is a Kratos Axis Ultra DLD spectrometer, which combines high sensitivity and high energy resolution with high sample throughput. It is also capable of parallel imaging at a resolution of 3µm and small spot analysis down to 15µm. Sample treatment facilities include heat treatment, physical metal vapour deposition, gas treatment and a catalysis cell (5 bar, 600ºC) for reaction studies. The system is also equipped with Low Energy Ion Scattering Spectroscopy. A more detailed and complete list of the capabilities of the spectrometer can be found on the dedicated website.

Researchers (in particular postgraduate students) are encouraged to visit the laboratory during analysis and a significant part of the service provided will be in the area of training, data analysis and interpretation. The XPS service is provided free to researchers and financial assistance is available towards travel, subsistence and accommodation. An application form may be downloaded from the website and after completion should be emailed to xpsaccess@cardiff.ac.uk.

Contact: Dr Albert Carley, carley@cardiff.ac.uk Further information: www.cardiff.ac.uk/chemy/staffinfo/xpsaccess

Email alerts Register to receive latest funding opportunities.

YOU CAN now register on our website to receive a weekly alert containing details of our latest calls for proposals. Visit our website and register under the quick links section on the right hand side of the home page: www.epsrc.ac.uk

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Meeting documents on CD More choice for panels WE WILL SOON be able to offer panel members the choice of having meeting papers sent to them on CD rather than on paper. Currently the only option is hard copy.

We are doing this to cut down on printing costs, to help minimise the amount of paper we use, to reduce courier costs and (literally) to ease the burden of carrying papers when travelling to a meeting venue.

The CD volume is user friendly: papers are all hyperlinked and it is easy to navigate between documents. We should also be able to provide laptops to read the CDs on the day of the meeting for those who do not wish to bring their own laptop along.

Panel members will be offered the choice of CD or hard copy when we are arranging the details of the meeting.

Contact: Douglas Niven, douglas.niven@epsrc.ac.uk

Connect March 2008 Issue 59

EPSRC/GSK/AZ/Pfizer Organic Synthetic Chemistry Studentships Initiative Enhanced PhD training experience SINCE 2007 EPSRC, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer have been working in partnership to support high-quality research training in organic synthetic chemistry. Doctoral students funded through the Organic Synthetic Chemistry Studentships Initiative work on cuttingedge academic research projects, while receiving additional support to help them develop the maturity and independence necessary to work in the pharmaceutical industry.

Students receive funding for four years, enhancing the competitiveness of UK organic chemistry research. Significant emphasis is placed on the training provided throughout the programme of study, and a training network, supported by the industrial partners, was established as part of the initiative. This network provides a forum for communicating results, exchanging ideas and sharing coursework and materials. The industrial partners provide training materials, and also make places available on their graduate training courses, including

extended industrial placements of up to six months’ duration.

All students supported through this programme, as well as academic and industrial supervisors, will be part of a training network.

The training network was launched at Scarman House, University of Warwick last November. Its website facilitates communication and interaction, and encourages a broader awareness of the full range of research and training opportunities. Updates on progress within projects are also available.

The first call in support of the initiative funded 15 studentships that started in October 2007. The second call funded a further 15, to start in October 2008, and a third call is planned for later this year, with studentships starting in 2009. The initiative will be reviewed against its overall objectives following these calls.

Contact: Christina Guindy, christina.guindy@epsrc.ac.uk Further information: www.pharmasynth.org.uk

Calls Focussed-Ion-Beam Nanofabrication Open Call for Access Researchers from UK higher education institutions can apply to use the focussed ion-beam nanofabrication facilities at the London Centre for Nanotechnology. Access is free, including travel and subsistence in the UK. Proposals will be considered monthly.

Contact: Paul Warburton, p.warburton@ee.ucl.ac.uk

Challenging Engineering – Call for Outline Applications Transforming Infrastructure: Building for the 21st Century Closing Date: 5 March 2008 Challenging Engineering is specifically focused on providing funding and developmental support for engineering researchers at an early stage of their careers. EPSRC invites outline applications for Exploration Funding to support the development of a research group for a period of up to five years.

Contact: Katie Finch, Katie Finch katie.finch@epsrc.ac.uk

Discipline Hopping in Information and Communication Technologies Open Call We want to encourage researchers to pursue an immersive experience in other disciplines and user environments.

The scheme is aimed at researchers who have a proven track record of research in their home discipline, providing funding to investigate and develop ideas, skills and collaborations with other disciplines and end users.

Contact: Claire Hinchliffe, claire.hinchliffe@epsrc.ac.uk

Business and Economic Modelling of Assistive Technologies Closing Date: 26 March 2008 EPSRC, together with the Technology Strategy Board, the Economic and Social Research Council and the National Institute for Health Research has agreed to fund a number of activities in the area of assisted living, under the umbrella of the Technology Strategy Board’s Assisted Living Innovation Platform, launched in November 2007.

The aim of this call is to generate new knowledge in business and economic modelling for assisted living. Economic analysis of assisted living reveals a complex value chain and further work is needed to develop business and economic models in this area. The funding partners, EPSRC and ESRC, wish to make up to three awards.

Contact: Linda Sayers, linda.sayers@epsrc.ac.uk

Collaborative Research Opportunities in Energy with South Africa Open Call The Research Councils’ Energy Programme would like to encourage new and innovative collaborative projects focusing on energy-related engineering and physical sciences research with South Africa. In particular we would like to encourage proposals which address thematic priorities identified following the UK Energy Research Mission.

There is no closing date and you can apply at any time. At least £2m is available to support proposals submitted to this open call in responsive mode.

Contact: Clive Hayter, clive.hayter@epsrc.ac.uk

Transnational Call for Collaborative Proposals in Nanoscience Closing Date: 27 March 2008 for submission of Letters of Intent Letters of intent are invited to this NanoSci-E+ transnational call for collaborative proposals. A minimum of €16m will be available for this call, possibly complemented by an additional €8m (subject to contract with the European Commission).

The aim of this Call is to enable scientists working in nanoscience across the ERA to build an effective collaboration on a common research project based on ambitious and original ideas at the frontier of knowledge. Novel and multidisciplinary projects in fundamental research are encouraged.

Contact: Matthew Ball, matthew.ball@epsrc.ac.uk

Maths for Industry and Business Open Call The Mathematics for Industry and Business call by the EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Programme aims to encourage high quality research in mathematics, statistics or mathematical foundations of operational research in collaboration with industry, business or other non-academic users of research.

There is no closing date and proposals can be submitted at any time.

Proposals will be assessed in competition with each other and separate to proposals submitted in responsive mode.

Contact: Katharine Bowes, katharine.bowes@epsrc.ac.uk

New Materials Research Equipment Services Open Call for Access Researchers from UK higher education institutions can apply to use equipment at seven new services. These services provide free access at point of use to UK academic researchers, including travel and accommodation. There are no closing dates and you can apply at any time.

Contact: See EPSRC website for specific contacts for each service

For up to date information and details of how to apply see www.epsrc.ac.uk

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Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

EPSRC Contacts Head of Engineering Programme Annette Bramley 01793 444398 annette.bramley@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Economy, Environment and Crime Programme Peter Hedges 01793 444217 peter.hedges@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Economic Impact Alasdair Rose 01793 444225 alasdair.rose@epsrc.ac.uk Joint Head of Energy and Climate Change Programme Alison Wall 01793 444176 alison.wall@epsrc.ac.uk Joint Head of Energy and Climate Change Programme Clive Hayter 01793 444440 clive.hayter@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Industrial Interaction Susan Morrell 01793 444462 susan.morrell@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Programme Alan Thomas 01793 442806 alan.thomas@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Digital Economy Programme John Hand 01793 444394 john.hand@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Materials Programme John Wand MBE 01793 444335 john.wand@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Technology Vince Osgood MBE 01793 444084 vince.osgood@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Chemistry Programme Neil Viner 01793 444310 neil.viner@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Mathematical Sciences Programme David Harman 01793 444304 david.harman@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Physics Programme Jason Green 01793 444208 jason.green@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Science and Innovation Philippa Hemmings 01793 444378 philippa.hemmings@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Life Sciences Interface Programme Kedar Pandya 01793 444317 kedar.pandya@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Basic Technology Programme Kedar Pandya 01793 444317 kedar.pandya@epsrc.ac.uk International Affairs Edward Clarke 01793 444438 edward.clarke@epsrc.ac.uk

Reviewers’ Incentive Scheme Recognising and rewarding your work THE essential role played by reviewers has always been recognised as central to the success and integrity of EPSRC’s peer review activities. The willingness of reviewers to participate is primarily due to high levels of goodwill and a feeling that reviewing is an act of service to the community; something that ‘goes with the territory’ in academic life.

With increasing and competing demands on reviewers’ time, EPSRC has sought ways to both raise the profile of reviewing and improve return rates.

A significant step in achieving this was the launch in 2001 of the Referees’ Incentive Scheme. Following a very positive review in 2004, the scheme has progressed from a pilot to a fully fledged part of our operations. Now, reflecting the harmonisation of terminology across the Research Councils, this activity has been renamed the Reviewers’ Incentive Scheme The scheme will continue to use a points system to distribute an annual fund amongst UK university departments in proportion to the amount (and timeliness) of reviewing undertaken by academic members. One point is credited for each usable review, with another added if received by the requested date. By the time the next round of payments has been made in early 2008, £4.5m of additional research funding will have been distributed through the scheme.

The Reviewers’ Incentive Scheme rewards the contribution of UK academic reviewers by allowing them to earn additional research funds for their departments. However, we are very conscious that EPSRC relies on a wide range of reviewers and in the year ahead we will be considering how the valuable contributions of those from industry or at overseas institutions can also be recognised. We welcome your comments on or questions about the Scheme.

Contact: ris@epsrc.ac.uk

Water and sanitation workshop

Public Engagement Joanna Coleman 01793 444209 joanna.coleman@epsrc.ac.uk

Addressing the needs of the world’s poorest people

Head of High End Computing and Core e-Science Programmes Jane Nicholson 01793 444065 jane.nicholson@epsrc.ac.uk

EDINBURGH University will be hosting an International Workshop on

College Coordinator John Baird 01793 444047 john.baird@epsrc.ac.uk IDEAS Factory Contact Susan Morrell 01793 444462 susan.morrell@epsrc.ac.uk

For current grant maintenance and grant assessment enquiries Engineering Chris Elson 01793 444504 chris.elson@epsrc.ac.uk Technology Sarah Cooper 01793 444422 sarah.cooper@epsrc.ac.uk Science Jo Garrad 01793 444348 jo.garrad@epsrc.ac.uk EPSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET Telephone: 01793 444000 www.epsrc.ac.uk

‘Water and Sanitation in International Development and Disaster Relief’ on 28-30 May 2008. Over three days the workshop will seek to: • outline current state-of-the-art as well as practical limitations in water supply and sanitation in international development • establish strategic linkages between research and teaching institutions, industry, aid organisations, and end users in international development and disaster relief • identify research needs and appropriate methodology to deliver on the UN millennium goals related to water and sanitation A broad range of issues will be discussed in order to develop new strategies and sustainable as well as appropriate technologies to address this complex and multidisciplinary problem. The programme will include invited speakers from academia, industry and aid organisations, as well as end user representatives, and has strong participation from developing countries.

Contact: Professor Andrea Schäefer, andrea.schaefer@ed.ac.uk Further information: www.lifelong.ed.ac.uk/water_and_sanitation_2008

Editor: Alex Hulkes, alex.hulkes@epsrc.ac.uk Circulation amendments: connect@epsrc.ac.uk © Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 2008.

ISSN 1476-6485 Material may be reproduced providing the source is acknowledged.

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