Sandpit

The AIR HUB, in-person Sandpit took place on the 8th & 9th July in Sheffield.

Applications have now closed. 

The Air Hub 2-day Sandpit has officially concluded! Over two intensive days, we brought together a fantastic group of researchers, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss, co-create, and develop pilot projects. The event was a resounding success, marked by incredible engagement, vital stakeholder input, and excellent feedback from all participants. 

We are currently reviewing the collaborative project proposals generated during the workshop and are excited to see what impactful research will emerge from these new partnerships. 

Funding & Timeline Status

• Total Funding Pot: £150,000 (at 80% Full Economic Cost (FEC)) to be awarded across approximately 3 projects.

• Current Stage: Proposals are currently being ranked by the Air Hub leadership team.

• Next Steps: Funding decisions will be made shortly, with final confirmation expected over the coming weeks once institutional costings are finalised.

• Project Delivery: Funded projects are scheduled for delivery before the end of July 2027.

Expectations for Funded Projects

Awarded projects will work closely with the Air Hub network and our dedicated co-design group of adults with lived experience of respiratory conditions.

Project teams will be expected to:

• Regularly liaise with the Air Hub leadership team.

• Contribute to network reports and dissemination activities.

• Publish a short, open-access report on our website.

• Deliver mid-term and final presentations, as well as present findings at our Year 2 network event.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding the sandpit proposals or the review process, please contact us at airhub-communications@sheffield.ac.uk. 

(Please note this email is monitored two days a week, so there may be a short delay in our response).

About the Sandpit (Archive)

The focus of this sandpit was to address particulate matter (PM) in indoor environments, including both biological and non-biological particles, across a range of under-explored building typologies (such as homes, workplaces, and social infrastructure).

Teams co-created proposals responding to three core research questions:

1. What is the composition of indoor particulate matter?

Focusing on chemical characterisation, biological viability, and improving the scalability of indoor particulate measurements to inform future stock models and daily exposure data.

2. What does particulate matter in our indoor environments do to our health?

Exploring how to incorporate exposure data with existing health surveys, trailing new methods to monitor daily exposure, and combining health impact assessments with air quality monitoring.

3. What are practical solutions to improving our indoor environment?

Incorporating lived experience to mitigate indoor air pollution, utilising behaviour change practices, and creating equitable approaches to working with the populations most affected by poor indoor air quality.