As the Internet expands through paradigms like the IoT, MMO games, videotelephony and the Metaverse, Autonomous Systems (AS) are increasingly necessitated to mediate society’s unfettered dataflows. Due to their perceived immateriality, Autonomous Systems (AS) are often promoted as resource-efficient technologies which help mitigate the unsustainable impacts of the Internet’s rapidly expanding data-driven ecosystem. Yet because of their ubiquity and scale, the environmental impacts of hyper-scale AS are intensifying and their sustainable trustworthiness is frequently undermined.

 

Harnessing interdisciplinary methods from across Design, Human Computing Interaction and Science & Technology Studies research, we will collaborate closely with a range of stakeholders – including, technologists, policy-makers and citizen end-users – to rethink current AS infrastructures and anticipate resilient and efficient digital energy transition pathways for Resource Responsible Trustworthy Autonomous Systems design.

Focussing on disruptive decentralisation and the potential benefits of hyperlocal AS solutions like Community Clouds, Edge Computing and micro-renewables, our research will align with key government, academic and industry priorities to drive Internet technology’s Net Zero transition.

Our Team

Meet our Team

Dr Michael Stead

Lecturer in Sustainable Design Futures, Lancaster University

Lead Contact

Neelima Sailaja

Transitional Assistant Professor, University of Nottingham

Co-Investigator

Ola Michalec

Senior Research Associate, University of Bristol

Co-Investigator

Franziska Pilling

Senior Research Associate, Lancaster University

Senior Research Associate

Professor Paul Coulton

Professor of Speculative and Game Design, Lancaster University

Co-Investigator

Professor Andrew Crabtree

Professor of Design Ethnography, University of Nottingham

Co-Investigator

Professor Derek McAuley

Professor of Digital Economy, University of Nottingham

Co-Investigator

Greg Johnston

Senior Digital and Data Consultant, Energy Systems Catapult

Industry Partner

Tom Macpherson-Pope

Director, The Making Rooms

Industry Partner

Jake Verma

Data Cooperative Manager, Subak

Industry Partner