10 Dec 2018
Institute of Advanced Studies announces Themes for 2019/20
Loughborough University’s Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) is delighted to announce that its Themes for the 2019/20 academic year are ‘Sound’ and ‘Water’.
IAS Themes focus on a compelling concept, open to inspire interdisciplinary dialogues between and across the arts, humanities, social sciences and STEM subjects.
An ambitious programme of events has been organised by the IAS for each Theme which will see leading international researchers come to both the Loughborough and London campuses to work with colleagues in areas of established excellence and emergent strength, brought together through the catalyst of the Theme.
Sound will combine Loughborough’s expertise in sound research across engineering and science, art, design and social sciences through an innovative programme of ‘sound summits’: exploring sound’s physical, sensorial, emotional, social, cultural and environmental dynamics.
The Theme will be led by Professor Hua Dong (Loughborough Design School), Dr Johanna Hällsten (School of the Arts, English and Drama), Dr Paul Lepper (School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering), Dr Valerie Pinfield (Chemical Engineering Department), and Dr Robert Schmidt (School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering), and will be supported by a wider team.
Water will open an area of established research from Loughborough University to a wider interdisciplinary engagement, bringing together new and emerging research communities across the institution.
The relationships between society and water are complex and diverse, and the programme for the Theme addresses questions around biodiversity, sustainability, water management, risk, hydrological hazard, and resilience, as well as creative and critical literary and artistic encounters with water and fluidity.
The Theme will be led by Professor Paul Wood (School of Social Sciences), Professor Michael Wilson and Dr Rachel Murray from the School of the Arts, English and Drama, with a wider team including Dr Diganta B. Das, Dr Emily Rousham and Dr Xilin Xia.
Director of the IAS, Professor Marsha Meskimmon, said: “We are looking forward to developing these exciting and timely Themes and will be offering opportunities for all colleagues, on both campuses, to meet with international visiting IAS Fellows and to participate in the activities and events associated with the programmes."