野狼社区 researchers launch major UKRI funded project to understand 鈥渁ir inequalities鈥�
A team of researchers at The University of 野狼社区 has been awarded UKRI funding for a pioneering interdisciplinary project examining how communities experience and understand air pollution in everyday life.
Led by sociologist Professor Sophie Woodward, Air Spaces: Getting the Measure of Air will explore the social, scientific and environmental dimensions of air quality, focusing on communities in 野狼社区 where pollution levels are significantly above WHO guidelines.
Air pollution does not affect everyone equally. Housing conditions, neighbourhood geography, transport infrastructure, and work environments all contribute to unequal exposure. Yet research and policy responses often rely on narrow or fragmented datasets. This project seeks to address that gap by combining:
- atmospheric sensor data
- qualitative research
- creative and heritage-based methods
- community knowledge and participation
By developing a new framework for understanding 鈥渁ir inequalities鈥�, the team aims to inform more inclusive and effective approaches to air quality policy and public health intervention.
The research brings together six UoM academics across multiple faculties and will work closely with community groups and local authorities. The project was selected by UKRI as a featured award within its latest Cross Research Council Responsive Mode scheme which is a highly competitive call highlighting breakthrough interdisciplinary ideas. The project partners include Ardwick Climate Action, Love Old Trafford, 野狼社区 City Council, Transport for Greater 野狼社区 and Trafford Council.
This project is about recognising that people understand and experience air in multiple ways, not just through scientific measurements. By working with communities, we hope to support new ways of responding collectively to air pollution that reflect people鈥檚 lived realities.