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 up solutions to significant public policy challenges, such as preventing ill-health, addressing the housing crisis and supporting the communities most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

The publication ‘Data and Decision Making’ brings together insight and analysis from four senior academics at the University to illustrate the potential for digital innovation to unlock policy challenges, illuminate emerging risks, and empower better policy decision making.

Each piece provides an expert commentary, supported by robust academic research, outlining how improved access to high-quality environmental data and digital toolkits can positively influence public policy, planning and societal outcomes. The articles discuss topical and politically significant themes – such as:

• the importance of using spatial data and geographic information systems (GIS) to inform decision-making and policy;
• how environmental data discovery is being transformed through artificial intelligence and large language models;
• how using environmental data to inform policy decisions can prevent ill-health;
• the value of using GIS toolkits, like the NERC Digital Solutions Hub, to inform decisions on where to build new homes and new towns;
• and how digital toolkits can be used to inform policymaking on where to target resources to protect those most vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat and flooding.

The articles in ‘Data and Decision Making’ unravel the new and emerging challenges faced by policymakers and by society, whilst also highlighting the necessity for and advances in emerging digital toolkits, such as the NERC DSH.

A special thank you to Professor Richard Kingston, Professor David Topping, Professor Sarah Lindley and Professor John Ainsworth for your time in writing the articles for this publication, and for contributing your research-backed expertise in this field.

Read the policy publication below or view the online version here.

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