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STEaPP's diverse community of academics, policymakers, practitioners and science and engineering experts feature regularly in local, national and international media
May 2020
How your smart home devices can be turned against you
Dr Leonie Tanczer and Dr Irina Brass speak to BBC Future about how devices such as smart light bulbs and voice-controlled assistants also be used against someone as a form of domestic abuse. Read: BBC Future
April 2020
Coronavirus: governments knew a pandemic was a threat – here's why they weren't better prepared
Despite all the effort that goes into predicting disasters, governments have been bad at acting on what they were told, explains Dr Chris Tyler. Read: The Conversation
Dominic Cummings and SAGE: advisory group’s veil of secrecy has to be lifted
The notion of SAGE being independent appears nowhere in its 64 pages of guidelines. But the case for more transparency is obvious, writes Dr Chris Tyler. Read: The Conversation
Covid-19: The Internet of Things and Cybersecurity
The PETRAS National Centre of Excellence for IoT Systems Cybersecurity (PETRAS) is producing weekly short Landscape Briefings on Covid-19: The Internet of Things and Cybersecurity, including issues surrounding contact tracing applications in the UK. Read: STEaPP news
Academics must aid MPs’ scrutiny of Covid-19 policy
Dr Chris Tyler describes how researchers can help parliament do its job and looks at how the UK parliament uses science advice. Read: Research Professional, More: LSE Impact Blog
Urban science advice and COVID-19
Dr Carla Washbourne explains why effective urban science advice is critical for responding to crises like COVID-19. Read: STEaPP blog
Covid-19 shows why health and well-being should be an everyday target
Dr Julius Mugwagwa examines whether the Covid-19 pandemic will lead to political action in strengthening local health systems, especially in countries constrained by development challenges. Read: Africa at LSE blog
March 2020
How not to waste a crisis - possibilities for government after COVID-19
Coronavirus could turn out to be just be a one-off blip, with normal service resuming once the worst of it is over. But it could prove to be a step change that’s used to accelerate changes that were long overdue, writes Professor Geoff Mulgan. Read: Geoff Mulgan's blog
Coronavirus response shows science in motion
Professor Joanna Chataway and Professor Geoff Mulgan examine why crises demand agility in linking research to decision-making. Read: Research Professional
Coronavirus: why we need to consult engineers as well as scientists for solutions
Dr Adam Cooper asks where are the engineers in the UK governments response to Covid-19. Read: The Conversation
Covid-19 pandemic: raising the stakes for a ‘local health’ perspective
In the latest STEaPP Op-ed, Dr Julius Mugwagwa explains why global health also needs to be local - especially in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic. Read: STEaPP blog
Comment: the engineer and the environmentalist
Dr Carla Washbourne and Dr Jenny McArthur, look at how a more holistic engineering mindset will be key to addressing our 21st century challenges. Read: The Engineer
February 2020
What exactly constitutes harassment on Instagram?
Dr Leonie Tanczer looks at what constitutes harassment in our digital realm and whether our laws adequately cover the nuanced interactions of social media. Read: Refinery29
Housing policy as if young people mattered - and voted
A report co-authored by Dr Jenny McArthur for the Helen Clark Foundation outlines four policies that could make #housing more affordable in New Zealand and create a system that prioritises long-term affordability. Read: Newsroom
A holistic approach to reasoning about the security of critical infrastructure systems
Dr Uchenna D Ani says Security designs should not consider technical details alone but should capture the bigger picture of the co-interacting participants that provide critical services. Read: STEaPP blog
Neuromorphic computing: a hardware for a greener computing sector?
Florence Greatrix, Policy Impact Unit, examines what is neuromorphic computing - and whether it be the answer to meeting our increasing computing demands and achieving net zero. Read: Policy Postings
Regulating digital technology
Dr Irina Brass speaks to speaks to Quality Magazine about the challenges of developing standards and policies for emerging technologies, including some top tips for organisations wanting to manage cybersecurity and data protection. Read: Quality Magazine