Living Well and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
The Living Well Inquiry maps onto the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ 2030 strategy of Creating Better Futures Together, particularly the strategic themes of creating Vibrant and Inclusive Communities, managing Climate Change and just transitions to Net Zero and enhancing the benefits of Sport, Health and Wellbeing.
Vibrant and Inclusive Communities
The world is becoming more diverse and more technologically advanced, but at the same time we are faced with many local, national and international problems, even existential threats. Vibrant and Inclusive communities are both a product of these developments and also part of the solution to the challenges we face. The 21st century has witnessed many conflicts across the world. These have led to numerous humanitarian crises and many countries receiving an influx of refugees who attempt to flee persecution. Deepening and broadening inequality is prominent across the country in income, life prospects and access to services.
Research at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ provides are a trusted source of knowledge and expertise on global societal and cultural issues. Fast-paced technological change represents a fantastic opportunity to improve the lives of the population, but this also poses great risks. Advancements in technology such as Artificial Intelligence as part of process of smart living entail a fast-moving policy area, and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ researchers strive to be at the forefront of this debate. Research into refugees’ experiences in employment along with contributions to policy debates on Minimum Income Standards and a Child First Approach to youth justice all contribute how we might encourage dignified living.
Sport, Health and Wellbeing
Nationally and globally, there is a drive for sport to help contribute to sustainable futures. Sustainable practices ensure that finite resources are used sparingly and sensitively. Sport is a driver of global carbon emissions, but it can also be part of innovative solutions to this challenge. º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ research has generated understanding around the importance of making sport equitable – both in participation and representation. Increasing participation amongst minority groups can have a massive societal impact enhancing wellbeing. Similarly, healthy eating and nutrition are important policy areas where º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ research has contributed to healthy living.
Climate Change and Net Zero
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has a strong track record of partnership development leveraging sector-leading research to accelerate innovative technologies for a reduced carbon future.  The circular economy is central to this. Researchers from across º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ have been working in collaboration with experts and colleagues from across the sector on how goods materials can be shared, recycled, repaired and refurbished to keep waste to a minimum to enhance clean living.
Key levers
There is a common thread that runs through the strategic themes of the University strategy in that global issues have local impacts and, as a result, innovation in responses at the local level can have global implications and influence.
Localism represents one of the key levers of the inquiry, cutting across the research activity and evidence-informed policy impact in each domain. These policy impacts are frequently co-designed with key organisations using creative methodologies and we have foregrounded creativity as another key lever of the inquiry. Many of these localised, creative solutions are underpinned by a preventative goal based on the old adage that prevention is better than cure. Prevention, therefore provides the third lever of the Inquiry.
These levers serve a dual purpose. They have helped with our framing, but also provide a focus for how º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ research is intervening in the world to generate the potential to Live Well. Through a focus on creative, dignified, clean, smart and healthy living º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ will continue to expand our research and innovation capabilities to think creatively about how we might address the barriers to, and enhance the avenues towards Living Well in the 21st century.