The Challenge
Effective policy and world-class science are both needed to prevent catastrophic environmental degradation on a global scale, yet science and policy often operate in different worlds and to different timelines.
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Environment
We need to act now to address biodiversity loss, climate change and poverty, interlinked challenges that are undermining human health and wellbeing around the globe.
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Policy
The social and environmental challenges we face are solvable, but rapid responses are needed. Policymakers and scientists need to work together to develop effective, solution-focused policies to get results.
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Research
To encourage researchers to work across disciplines and engage in policy work and outreach, we need to ensure that this essential work is valued and rewarded in academic career paths.
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Collaboration
Policymakers and researchers often work at different speeds and can be driven by different incentives. Effective policy needs these communities to be aligned and work together.
The Solution
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Fast-paced research ‘Sprints’
These will mobilise the best interdisciplinary research teams from across the University of Oxford and beyond to deliver solutions-focused science that provides the information decision makers need, when they need it. Sprints will be undertaken in close collaboration with government at all levels, industry partners, NGOs and local communities. They will build a new model for academia to work with stakeholders and catalyse a culture change around how interdisciplinary research and policy engagement is funded and delivered.
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Delivering solutions-focused science through co-production with policymakers and feeding into the policy cycle in real-time.How does it work? Can I get involved?
Explore sprints
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How can maritime shipping transition to green ammonia as fuel?
This Sprint brings together experts in green ammonia production, shipping and transport infrastructure planning, climate mitigation and economic analysis to determine a pathway the industries and governments can follow to transition the industry to green ammonia.
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How do we scale up Nature-based Solutions?
Building resilient landscapes by scaling up NbS can also have a hugely positive impact on local communities, contributing to the “levelling up” agenda.
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Can we turn waste into fertiliser?
The UK’s urban centres create high volumes of food and garden waste. Consumers are increasingly segregating this out for separate collection, which local authorities then use in anaerobic digesters and other systems before disposal.
News
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Researcher Spotlight – Purusothmn Nair
Our Researcher Spotlight series offers reflections and insights from Agile Sprint researchers on the experience of being part of rapid, policy oriented, interdisciplinary academic research within the Agile Sprint model.
24 May 2023 -
Nature-based Solutions can help us adapt to climate change – with more support in the National Adaptation Programme
Nature-based solutions can help communities and businesses cost-effectively adapt to climate change impacts such as floods, droughts and heatwaves, but they need more support in the third National Adaptation Programme.
22 May 2023 -
Ongoing collaboration on nutrient flow pathways
A second workshop with stakeholders and the Sprint team asking the question: Can we turn waste into fertiliser? Attendees had in detail discussions about research insights and challenges.
15 May 2023
Events
Get Involved with the Agile Initiative
We are building our network of interested researchers from Oxford and beyond, as well as potential policy partners. Register your interest and we will get in touch when we have more relevant information or opportunities for you.
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