Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/T00939X/1
SENSE - Centre for Satellite Data in Environmental Science
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor KA Whaler, University of Edinburgh, Sch of Geosciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Edinburgh, Sch of Geosciences
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Earth
- Freshwater
- Marine
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Large Scale Dynamics/Transport
- Regional & Extreme Weather
- Ocean - Atmosphere Interact.
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Remote Sensing & Earth Obs.
- Abstract:
- SPADES is an exciting new centre that will train 50 PhD students to tackle cross-disciplinary environmental problems, by applying state-of-the-art data science methods to the deluge of satellite data collected each day. Our graduates will accelerate economic growth in the UK by addressing two Grand Challenges identified in the UK's Industrial Strategy: Artificial Intelligence and Clean Growth. They will be supervised by a consortium of world-leading UK scientists, with topics co-developed with the UK's most innovative spatial data companies. We have enhanced the impact of NERC's #2.2 million investment by raising a further #3.4 million in match funding. This will enable 50 students to be trained, rather than the original 24, and underpins a comprehensive residential training programme, with 12 weeks of specially-designed modules in the first year, four further residential courses in later years (including one at the European Space Agency's facility in Italy), and a 3-month placement with industry. After their training, our students will have the technical skills and leadership experience to accelerate growth of the UK's space sector, and enhance our reputation as an Earth Observation powerhouse. SPADES is led by two Universities, Edinburgh and Leeds, that are rated #1 and #2 for research in Earth and Environmental Sciences. They include many of the UK's top scientists working on integrating satellite data analysis into climate change modelling, atmospheric science, and monitoring change in land, forest, ice and oceans. Both universities have excellent computer scientists, engineers and mathematicians working on big data and machine learning problems, and SPADES will bring these communities together to enable the emergence of a new generation of skilled PhD graduates. The National Oceanography Centre, a world leader in marine science research, and the British Antarctic Survey, the UK's principal centre for research in the Polar regions, are also core SPADES institutions that will host students. Additional partners will co-supervise students, bringing expertise in weather and climate change (Met Office, Priestley Centre), atmospheric sciences (NCAS), and artificial intelligence (ATI, LIDA and Bayes Centre). Critically, SPADES includes 18 companies who will co-fund, co-design & co-supervise 42 of the PhD research projects. This brings the stimulus of industry engagement to tackling real-world problems and scientifically excellent academic research. Each of our students will be hosted by a company or space agency for a 3-month placement, where they will obtain first-hand experience of the exciting research careers that exist outside the academic environment. Another unique feature of SPADES is the integral role of international spaces agencies, including the European Space Agency (ESA); the German Aerospace Centre (DLR); and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Every student will attend workshops hosted in ESA facilities, and will be offered co-supervision and further placements in ESA, NASA, DLR, the Met Office, the Danish Meteorological Institute, and the University of Maryland. SPADES will have a real tangible impact on our national satellite data analysis capability, and on the UK economy. Our 50 graduates will benefit from access to an innovative training programme unlike anything before, delivering a meaningful legacy to the UK through careers in industry, NGOs, government and academia. Their research will lead to scientific discovery and new data products that allow a better understanding of environmental issues. This will lead to global policy benefits, new start-up companies, services, patents, and sales growth for existing companies. Finally, SPADES has a significant outreach component, with our network passing on their own experiences, energy, and enthusiasm for Earth Observation to future generations of students, who will ultimately expand and diversify the UK space sector.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/T00939X/1
- Grant Stage:
- Awaiting Event/Action
- Scheme:
- Doctoral Training
- Grant Status:
- Active
- Programme:
- CDT
This training grant award has a total value of £3,957,655
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Other Costs | Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| £1,521,444 | £446,578 | £264,000 | £1,725,635 |
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