Six teams win £15K Grounding Technologies funding to explore creative technology and climate action
See all news![Grounding technologies funding announced](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/grounding-technologies-funding-850x500.jpg?la=en&h=498&w=847&mw=847&hash=9AA65EEEB73354CC1A4E187696076372)
Grounding Technologies is excited to announce six new projects that investigate how creative technology can be used to support action on climate change.
Grounding Technologies is a six-month programme run by Bristol+Bath Creative R+D – a collaboration between UWE Bristol, Bath Spa, University of Bath, University of Bristol and Watershed.
The initiative is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and invites those tackling climate and environmental issues in the region, along with artists and makers, to explore the role of creative technology in bolstering climate action.
These six projects build on a rich tradition of activism and thought in the West of England region to address the climate crisis. They bring together expertise from across sectors, locations and communities in vibrant collaborations to create tools for the future. Each project will receive £15k to experiment and develop innovative responses to the challenge of climate change.
The six projects are:
Keeping Them Honest: checking that Bristol Airport is sticking to the rules...
Bristol Airport Action Network, Stephen Clarke, Gideon Jones, Richard Baxter., Jackie Head, Mary Collett, James Collett.
An experimental project capturing flight and air traffic data to hold Bristol Airport accountable to its climate pledges.
The Apothecary Network
Marcus Bernard, Zoe Palmer, Javie Huxley, Chinonyerem Odimba, Joel Gethin Lewis.
A network of decolonial community apothecaries which center growing, herbology, community, collective care, joy, and connection with nature in radical, anti-racist ways and reclaim green spaces for themselves and their communities.
Focus – but where?
Kexin Lu, Kai Charles, Inigo Hartas, Xingzhi Zheng.
A playful online interactive crowdsourced zine/game that explores the intersection between climate change activism and our complex media / information environment, using eye tracking to explore direct climate action and comms.
Garden Lab Whispers Grow
Knowle West Media Centre, Annali Grimes, Paul Granjon, Ruth Hennell.
A project based on an allotment in Knowle West, investigating how new sensor technology can be combined with local, embodied and non-human knowledge to further climate action.
Greenbelt 2.0, Rings of Resilience Resistance + Renewal
Maddy Longhurst, Mark Thurstain, Yew Tree Farm.
A project to reimagine the use of Greenbelt around Bristol through co-created mapping and animation using data from communities.
Where Do We Go When We ____,
Emma Blake Morsi, Ruby Spencer, Olamiposi Ayorinde.
An investigation into how creative technology might support marginalised and neurodiverse communities to navigate nature experiences and climate action.
Looking ahead to the next five, ten, twenty years, the creative sector must radically transform to combat and adapt to the climate crisis – the responses can no longer focus on quick fixes when the issues are systemic.
Technology, and creative uses of it, can play a crucial role in this task of remaking a world where people and the planet thrive. Bristol+Bath Creative R+D and the West of England Combined Authority are collaborating on Grounding Technologies, exploring how creative technology can be useful to those working in climate action. How can creative technology enrich and enhance the vibrant regional work already happening?
Teresa Dillon, Professor of City Futures at UWE Bristol, said: “While the project timeline for Grounding Technologies has been short and sharp, we are delighted with the response, which demonstrates the need for supporting work that sits at the intersection of climate action and creative technology. The rich diversity of ideas, community perspectives, skills, knowledge and values, that sit at the heart of the selected projects is indicative of our approach and how we see this such work going forward.”
Dr Furaha Asani, Research Lead at Watershed, added: “The West of England is quite rich in individuals and collectives engaged in climate action through community organising, activism, and arts. As an R&D space evolving our understanding of our own climate action responsibilities, we’re really thrilled that the Pervasive Media Studio at Watershed can support Grounding Technologies and these amazing teams. The range of expertise and proposed projects across these six teams will no doubt positively contribute to the region’s ongoing activities, as well as spark new ideas for how we as a studio can keep supporting climate action work.”
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, funds internationally outstanding independent researchers across the whole range of the arts and humanities: history, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, languages and literature, design, heritage, area studies, the creative and performing arts, and much more. The quality and range of research supported by AHRC works for the good of UK society and culture and contributes both to UK economic success and to the culture and welfare of societies across the globe.
Related news
![Someone holds the world in their hands in a pool of water](/-/media/uwe/images/news/climate-theatre-project-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=671411EFE5D11C702F789A85526F61DF)
26 June 2024
Water security and climate action to be explored through theatre with communities
UWE Bristol will support an international research project that will embed theatre practice to work with less heard communities who face water insecurity.
![UWE Bristol student winners celebrate at the awards](/-/media/uwe/images/news/kodak-film-success-2024-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=43347748CE5732C537F624F7995195BC)
05 June 2024
Outstanding success for student filmmakers
Held in London, the third-year students came away with an unprecedented eight awards at the Kodak/Nahemi Student Commercial Awards.
![UWE Bristol student Emily Annakin stands smiling with the Clifton Suspension Bridge behind her with hot air balloons flying in the distance](/-/media/uwe/images/news/showcase-emily-annakin-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=BCBBB446ADE1E74125F4AC8AE3B47B1F)
04 June 2024
Urban places and spaces should be accessible for all, says UWE Bristol student
Student Emily Annakin is hoping to land her dream job, using her own experience of visual impairment to design inclusive urban spaces.
![Photo shows image of Sir Peter Bazalgette](/-/media/uwe/images/news/sir-peter-bazalgette-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=84E0DACB4233CB3451E72D2A635FB830)
24 May 2024
Creative industry leader appointed new Chancellor of UWE Bristol
A leader in the UK’s creative industries, Sir Peter Bazalgette, has been appointed the new Chancellor of UWE Bristol.
![A photographer using an old-fashioned camera to take an photo of Stonehenge, with a backdrop of a blue sky](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/stonehenge-photography-main-image-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=82D3AA342D3552BF0055E5180A7BFE8E)
22 May 2024
Academic retraces footsteps of Victorian photography pioneer behind Led Zeppelin album cover
A UWE Bristol researcher has used old-fashioned photography methods to recreate images by a Victorian photographer noted for taking an iconic photo that became a Led Zeppelin album cover.
![Students Carla Mabb and Kian Swainston, with arts programme manager Donna Baber stand in front of the photography exhibition at the Brunel building](/-/media/uwe/images/news/southmead-photography-students-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=8F7C033B6A1B622CA31C8349566952C4)
10 May 2024
UWE Bristol student photos showcase 10 years of the Brunel building
Striking images have been captured by student photographers for an exhibition marking 10 years since the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital opened.
![UWE Bristol illustration student stands in front of a double decker bus featuring her winning design](/-/media/uwe/images/news/bus-wrap-women-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=8BF20578EE978EA8470162FCD4E953AA)
09 May 2024
Winning bus design by UWE Bristol student
A new bus wrap designed by student Rosalyn Burroughs has been unveiled to mark 80 years since the first female bus drivers were employed in Bristol.
![Student Nikola Asojana's concept for an activist hub 'Ground for Change' which shows a forum space in Bristol where members of the public can meet](/-/media/uwe/images/news/degree-showcase-2024-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=6A8B1AC052C4B2632C530A87AAE04354)
07 May 2024
Graduating students gear up to present their work at annual Showcase
UWE Bristol's Showcase offers visitors the chance to discover a new generation of talent from the College of Arts, Technology and Environment.
![Artist Mr Doodle drawing with a pen while sat on the floor, with the floor and wall covered in black doodle art on a white background](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/mr-doodle-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=DE7AB621C29B08887024970908FDC435)
22 April 2024
UWE Bristol graduate Mr Doodle set to stage first museum exhibition
A former UWE Bristol illustration student is preparing to present his first ever UK museum exhibition.
![UWE Bristol students perform as part of the Open Studios exhibition at Spike Island in 2023 - photo credit Dan Weill Photography](/-/media/uwe/images/news/spike-island-credit-dan-weill-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=210A78456E2D4D73BC090231E73C0875)
15 April 2024
UWE Bristol art students to showcase their work during Spike Island’s Open Studios
Open Studios gives the chance to go behind the scenes at Spike Island - home to UWE Bristol Fine Art, over 70 artists’ studios, and Spike Print Studio.
![A group of students from UWE Bristol showing their awards for Best Drama at the RTS Awards](/-/media/uwe/images/news/rts-awards-drama-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=38C6D489B3068E0690201796A616EE0D)
19 March 2024
Success for students at regional RTS Awards
Students and graduates from UWE Bristol took home the top prize in four categories of the RTS West of England Student Awards held at Watershed in Bristol on 4 March 2024.
![Shaila Afroj UWE Senior Research Fellow](/-/media/uwe/images/news/shaila-afroj-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=A0CF47D10F8EAA2FC54D8DD7E7845F03)
13 February 2024
Funding secured to develop sustainable health-monitoring e-textiles
A UWE Bristol academic has been given a New Investigator Award to further develop wearable sustainable e-textiles to monitor heart patients.
You may also be interested in
![Media enquiries](/-/media/uwe/images/news/media-enquiries-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=DEC2ADF76427D486E3F096155E2569C0)
Media enquiries
Enquiries related to news releases and press and contacts for the media team.
![Lecturer with students](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-experts-findanexpert-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=F991F840D7340AF990327391B1A7F10E)
Find an expert
Media contacts are invited to check out the vast range of subjects where UWE Bristol can offer up expert commentary.