In this week’s episode, host Kristin Hayes talks with Nafisa Lohawala, a fellow at Resources for the Future who researches the effects of government policies on the transportation sector. Lohawala discusses the findings of a recent report that explores efforts to electrify medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleets, the opportunities and challenges of electrification as a pathway toward lower transportation-sector emissions, and policies that could aid electrification.

References and recommendations:

“Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Electrification: Challenges, Policy Solutions, and Open Research Questions” by Beia Spiller, Nafisa Lohawala, and Emma DeAngeli; https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/medium-and-heavy-duty-vehicle-electrification-challenges-policy-solutions-and-open-research-questions/

Special series on the Common Resources blog: Electrifying Large Vehicles by Emma DeAngeli, Nafisa Lohawala, and Beia Spiller; https://www.resources.org/special-series-electrifying-large-vehicles/

“The Book of Why: The New Science of Cause and Effect” by Judea Pearl and Dana Mackenzie; https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/judea-pearl/the-book-of-why/9780465097616/

Electrifying Large Vehicles, with Nafisa Lohawala

Middle East AI News Minute - brought to you by Carrington Malin - Marketing for an AI First World. In this podcast: KAUST's new research strategy and $200 million Deep Tech Innovation Fund; Jordan's Al Hussein Technical University to conduct IoT research.

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Middle East AI News Minute - 21-Aug-23

As the environmental impacts of farming cotton are becoming clear, how can Australian farmers and researchers develop more sustainable ways of growing cotton? On this episode of Better Agriculture, we explore the current state of Australia’s cotton industry, and innovations including expansion into new territories, managing climate change, and developing pest-resistant crops.
Show notes

Our host Ed Gannon is joined by Ben Turner, Territory Business Manager for Northern Australia at Bayer Crop Science Australia New Zealand, and Andrew Parkes, Director at Customised Farm Management to discuss:

· [02:04] Ben’s rundown on the cotton industry in Australia.

· [03:15] ‘Quality, not quantity’ for Australian cotton export markets.

· [4:02] Where does Customised Farm Management fit into the industry?

· [5:09] New growth of the cotton industry in the Northern Territory, and challenges growers face in new climates.

· [8:32] Andrew and Ben’s major innovations and changes in the industry from the last decade.

· [13:30] Developments of natural pest resistance and perceptions of genetic modification by consumers.

· [19:35] Opportunities for the industry to grow, busting myths about cotton.

· [21:57] Managing water use during water availability fluctuations.

· [25:04] How is the industry going to manage the effects of climate change?

· [28:10] Ben and Andrew’s predictions for the next 10 years of cotton innovation.

Guest details

Ben Turner is Territory Business Manager for northern Australia at Bayer Crop Science. Originally from the UK, Ben has been working in farm management in Australia for 11 years. His experience includes irrigated cotton in the Riverina area as well as mixed cropping. Ben’s passion for cotton led him to take on his current role with Bayer in the burgeoning northern growing region.

Andrew Parkes is the Managing Director of Customised Farm Management, an agricultural consulting company that specialise in managing and investing in agricultural land. Based in Moree, NSW, Andrew’s work has seen him recognised as an industry leader in the production of irrigated cotton, and was inducted into the Cotton Australia Hall of Fame in 2014

Better Agriculture Podcast Episode 3 - September 2023

This episode we take a focus on biosecurity. You’ll hear about three exciting research initiatives aimed at improving Australia’s protection measures to help mitigate the risks posed to our forests by exotic pests and diseases.

Lucy Tran-Nguyen, GM of Partnerships and Innovation at Plant Health Australia, tells us about The National Forest Pest Surveillance Program - also known as Forest Watch Australia - which commenced on the 1st of July 2022, and recently completed its first full year of activity. 

Lucy also told us about The MyPestGuide Trees app, which equips all forestry stakeholders with the tools to do their bit and help minimise the damage caused to Australian forests and trees by the presence of exotic pests and diseases.

In addition, you'll hear from Dr Madaline Healey, Research Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Forest Research Institute, about work to improve risk management for invasive forest pests and diseases right across the South East Asia region.

Episode 31 - Protecting Australia's forests from the threat of exotic pests and diseases

In 2023, the FWPA-supported Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life entered an exciting new stage in its evolution with the appointment of its new Director, Professor Tripti Singh.

With more than 20 years of experience in managing collaborative, multi-million-dollar research programs, Professor Singh is a leading figure in wood protection research.

In this episode of WoodChat, we catch up with Tripti to find out about her plans and vision for the future of the Centre. 

We also speak to the researchers heading up two key Centre-led projects - one that's investigating the termite resistance of fast-grown plantation heartwood timber species, and another that's focused on improving the environmental profile of treated timber by identifying appropriate alternative uses for it at end-of-life.

Episode 32 - Exciting times ahead as Centre for Timber Durability & Design Life enters new phase

WARNING - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised this episode may contain the names or voices of deceased people.
 
A recently completed research project has showcased great potential for the development of sustainable native forestry activities in the Northern Territory led by Traditional Owner communities.
 
In this episode of WoodChat, we hear from two of the leading researchers from this project - Northern Territory Government Project Manager Dallas Anson and University of the Sunshine Coast Associate Professor (Adjunct) Mark Annandale.
 
Dallas and Mark discuss their involvement with the initiative, which aimed to boost the forestry capacity of Indigenous communities in the East Arnhem region.
 
During the episode, listeners will also hear from Indigenous project participants, Mabo Mununggurritj and Balupalu Yunapingu about their experiences.
 
The project saw training offered to Traditional Owners in operational skills and forest management principles, and the establishment of a Sustainable Native Forestry Demonstration Site where products were manufactured from locally harvested timber.
 
Other activities included raising stakeholder awareness of the value of sustainable Indigenous-led commercial forestry, and the exploration of potential business development opportunities.
 
With thanks to the Traditional Custodians of the Gumatj lands.

Read more about this project: https://fwpa.com.au/report/indigenous-commercial-forestry-opportunities-east-arnhem-northern-australia/

Episode 33 - Working with Traditional Owners to build capacity in native forestry

Middle East AI News Minute - brought to you by Carrington Malin - Marketing for an AI First World. In this podcast: US may restrict AI talent from working abroad; Oracle expands R&D in Morocco; ATRC launches UAE R&D portal.

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Middle East AI News Minute - 11-May-24

At WoodChat, we explore a diverse array of forestry and timber-related topics. Some episodes have greater relevance to the Australian industry, while others have global significance.

This episode is focused on bushfires. At the time of recording in January 2025, the catastrophic Los Angeles bushfires have been dominating headlines worldwide. Sadly, Australia has plenty of experience managing similar events.

Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is a long-standing supporter of the safe use of timber in the construction of resilient buildings in bushfire-prone areas, with much of its research, WoodSolutions program and Codes & Standards activities focusing on this space.

We spoke to Boris Iskra, National Manager Codes & Standards at FWPA to get his take on the recent Californian fires, the ever-evolving measures taken in Australia to ensure safe construction with timber in bushfire-prone areas, and some of the latest, positive developments in this area.

Additionally, listeners will hear from Kersten Gentle, CEO of the Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia (FTMA) and her thoughts on why timber is the ideal choice for building in such areas, for a whole host of reasons.

Learn more about FWPA's work: https://fwpa.com.au/

Episode 36 - Australia, California & beyond - Building safely with timber in bushfire zones

Devika Wood, CEO of Brain+, explains the importance of developing health tech solutions for dementia and the growing need to both raise awareness and improve overall access to nondrug interventions like CST.

Brain+ CEO Discusses “Groundbreaking” Potential Of CST Assistant For Dementia Patients

This week, we are joined by Mehwaesh Islam, Head of Research Policy at Universities UK. UUK is a membership organisation, representing the views of 141 UK universities to influence policy and opinion, coordinate action, and provide insight into universities. Together, we explore the future of UK R&D, in particular the challenges faced by the University sector.

This week's host is Geena Goodwin, Science and Engineering Fast Streamer in the civil service and a volunteer with the Foundation.

Mehwaesh Islam - the future of UK Research and Development

The Middle East AI News Minute gives you a daily one-minute daily briefing on the top AI-related stories coming out of the Middle East. If you are a busy technology, business or government leader who want to get a quick update, then this is the podcast for you.

Citeline places biopharma and medical device professionals, and those who focus on these industries, at the forefront of knowledge and insight, by providing the perfect combination of news and information together with penetrating insight and analysis. Citeline is a leader in the field of healthcare industry information.

WoodChat is a podcast produced by Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA). We’ll be sharing in-depth conversations with industry experts and academics about a range of news stories, discoveries and innovations. For more information, visit www.fwpa.com.au

Resources Radio is a weekly podcast by Resources for the Future. Each week we talk to leading experts about climate change, electricity, ecosystems, and more, making the latest research accessible to everyone.

The Foundation for Science and Technology podcast - exploring issues of science, technology and innovation with experts from government, parliament, industry and the research community.

New tracks tagged #research and development