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Developing a healthy nation: Use of environmental data in preventing ill health
By Professor John Ainsworth I An article taken from the policy publication, Data and Decision-Making, commissioned by Policy@Manchester and the NERC Digital Solutions Hub. Healthcare is at a crossroads. Ever increasing demand from an ageing population combined with escalating costs of care…
Climate Just: Identifying vulnerable communities for place-based climate change adaptation in UK
By Professor Sarah Lindley An article taken from the policy publication, Data and Decision-Making, commissioned by Policy@Manchester and the NERC Digital Solutions Hub. Original title in the publication: ‘Climate Just: Supporting equitable responses to climate change through social vulnerability maps’.…
Data and Decision Making: A new publication from academics at The University of Manchester
‘Data and Decision Making’ is a new publication from the NERC Digital Solutions Hub (DSH) and Policy@Manchester, The University of Manchester’s policy engagement unit. The publication explores how digital tools and robust environmental data access can facilitate policymakers to draw…
The Role of Data in Supporting Decision Making: Utilising Spatial Data and GIS for Informed Policy and Practice
By Professor Richard Kingston | An article taken from the policy publication, Data and Decision-Making, commissioned by Policy@Manchester and the NERC Digital Solutions Hub. In an era marked by rapid technological advancement and ever-increasing complexity, the ability to make informed, timely…
Beyond the Query: Transforming Environmental Data Discovery with LLMs
By Professor David Topping | Originally published by Policy@Manchester Environmental problems are complex, evolving issues that defy straightforward solutions. These challenges demand integrated data, yet current environmental data is scattered and hard to access. Artificial intelligence (AI), alongside strong metadata…
Putting the DSH to the test: First external users given access to pioneering environmental toolkit
This week, the NERC Digital Gathering 2025 at Cranfield University played host to an exciting milestone: the first public-facing user testing session for the NERC Digital Solutions Hub (DSH). Delegates at the conference were invited to take part in a hands-on workshop led…
GeoAI: Overcoming the Hype and Avoiding Hallucinations
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape how we interact with data, the geospatial world is no exception. At this year’s GEO Business event, Professor Richard Kingston, Director of the NERC Digital Solutions Programme delivered a compelling talk titled “GeoAI:…
Hubdate #4 – Digital Solutions Hub: Who are the potential users and why should they use it?
Welcome to the fourth instalment of Hubdates – our mini blog series exploring and explaining features of the NERC Digital Solutions Hub (DSH). This Hubdate looks at why the DSH was created, who it is for and how it will…
Hubdate #3 – What data will be available on the NERC Digital Solutions Hub?
Welcome to the third instalment of our Hubdates – a mini blog series exploring and explaining features of the NERC Digital Solutions Hub (DSH). This Hubdate focuses on explaining what types of data will be available on the DSH. Uncover more…
Hubdate #2 – Real-Time Data and UPRNs
The Digital Solutions Hub (DSH), a free online mapping toolkit funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), will make over 40 petabytes of environmental data searchable and ready to do analysis on. On top of the 40+ petabytes of…
