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Aston University fraud specialist continues ongoing engagement with UK Government
Dr Rasha Kassem advises UK government on countering fraud through the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP) advisory group She shapes policies to combat £33 billion annual losses Dr Kassem influences fraud standards and shares vital research. Dr Rasha Kassem, a fraud specialist based at Aston Business School, remains actively engaged with the UK government through her advisory role in the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP) advisory group. This advisory group, a vital component of the Government Counter Fraud Function, collaborates with cross-sector experts to shape policies and strategies aimed at countering fraud and other financial crimes. The Government Counter Fraud Profession Strategy 2023-25 underscores the severity of fraud within the public sector, estimating losses at a minimum of £33 billion annually due to fraud and error. As a dedicated member of the GCFP Cross Sector Advisory Group, Dr Kassem plays a pivotal role in advising and supporting the development of policies to combat these financial crimes. The GCFP serves as a professional body for counter-fraud experts within central government and beyond. Its mission is to unite the counter-fraud community under a common framework of standards, fostering growth and development to safeguard public services and combat economic crime. Dr Kassem's involvement in the advisory group holds significant impact, influencing the establishment of knowledge, skills and experience requirements for fraud professionals across various disciplines and levels. Additionally, she contributes to the publication of influential fraud research in the Public Sector Counter Fraud Journal and addresses UK government fraud conferences on recent research findings. Dr Kassem also collaborates with experts from diverse sectors to bridge training gaps, all while engaging in discussions through regular group meetings. The Government Counter Fraud Profession operates under the umbrella of the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA), established in August 2022. The GCFP is positioned within the Practice, Standards, and Capability Function of the Authority. The PSFA, a collective effort by 17 public sector organisations, adheres to core principles of building capability, with the GCFP taking a lead role in advancing structures and services. Dr Kassem emphasises the critical nature of engaging with policymakers through knowledge exchange activities to amplify research impact. Her active participation in UK Government fraud conferences and contributions to the Public Sector Counter Fraud Journal serve to raise awareness on prevailing fraud issues. Furthermore, her feedback on existing and new fraud guidance aids the GCFP in crafting professional standards and guidance for countering fraud. Dr Kassem has been a valued member of the Cross-Sector Advisory Group of the UK Government Counter Fraud Profession since 2019. Dr Kassem said: “Collaborating with the UK government through the Government Counter Fraud Profession has been a rewarding journey. “It's through these engagements that we're shaping policies and standards to counter fraud and protect public resources. “The recent Annual GCFP conference was well attended by fraud investigators, law enforcement, and regulators from the public sector. My presentation was well received and some participants said it was wildly fascinating to hear the striking reality that insider fraud can be, especially in UK policing, given its impact on policing integrity and legitimacy. The presentation opened their eyes to the risk of insider fraud and its impact. “Together, we're making a significant impact on the battle against financial crime.” For further information and to explore Dr Kassem's recent research, click here.
Expert explainer - Storm Daniel and the Libya flooding
Expert: Dr Kiran Tota-Maharaj Reader in Civil & Environmental Engineering (Water and Environmental Engineering) College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University 1/ Do we have any basic measures on the volume of precipitation that triggered the collapse of the two dams that flooded Derna? How much rain over what period of time? Are there adequate records to put that in historical context? Were any records broken? Storm Daniel has the characteristics of a tropical depression, approximately 170 millimetres (6.7 inches) of rainfall occurred fell in Libya. Torrential rains of between 150 - 240 mm caused flash floods in several cities, including Al-Bayda, which recorded the highest rainfall rate of 414.1 mm. 2/ Do we know anything about the dams that failed? Where they old, near the end of their expected lifespan? Were they known to be fragile in any way? To what extent, in other words, might this have been a disaster waiting to happen? Flash floods, which is considered as one of the worst weather-related natural disasters are highly unpredictable following brief spells of heavy rain. This region in Libya is subjected to flash floods, where floods from the mountains causing heavy damage to hydraulic structures and features of Dams. These floods are made up of sudden, unexpected and heavy rains or a strong surge of water, which usually hit the steep sloped mountainous catchments and have inundated many regions in Libya. The sweeping flash floods also led to the death of many residents and great losses of property. Entire neighborhoods in Derna disappeared, along with their residents swept away by water after two ageing dams collapsed making the situation catastrophic and out of control, the city of Derna is surrounded by mountains, so the flash flooding occurred quite rapidly, taking over with surface-water levels rising as high as 3 metres (10 feet). Engineers have previously issued warnings about the risks of these dams bursting and the urgent need to strengthen their defenses, which unfortunately didn’t occur. Early Warning Systems (EWS)- which are effective ways to reduce the risks of flash floods have not been properly implemented. When EWS are issued before a flash flood event, additional time is created to take action and save lives and infrastructure. The unexpected arrival of a flash flood in Libya, combination with its force, limited understanding of the risks and small space-time scales provide explicit challenges for the development and implementation of an EWS system for flash floods. 3/ There is speculation about many thousands of deaths. Is this attributable almost entirely to the failed dams? Or was there massive and deadly flooding beside that? Thousands of people’s lives have been sadly lost after the massive flood ripped through the city of Derna as a result from the heave storm conditions and excessive rainfall. There have been several areas severely affected by widespread flooding, damage to infrastructure, and loss of life. The disastrous flooding event is likely the cause of the two dams’ collapses, making thousands of residents of the valley and the city of Derna, Libya vulnerable as a result of the storm. Entire neighbourhoods of Derna by the bank of the swollen river had been ravaged and washed away. For further details or to interview Dr Tota-Maharaj, contact Nicola Jones Press and Communications Manager, Aston University, Birmingham, UK n.jones6@aston.ac.uk or Mobile: (+44)7825 342091
Bioenergy experts welcome commitment to sustainability in UK’s new Biomass Strategy
New strategy outlines role of biomass in UK’s transition to net zero, with sustainability as major theme Supergen Bioenergy Hub experts worked with government departments to provide scientific evidence and insight They welcome the holistic view of sustainability in the Biomass Strategy and call for action to deliver its ambitions. A group of bioenergy experts have welcomed the Government’s new UK Biomass Strategy, but say urgent action is now vital to shape its ambitions into deliverable policies. Researchers at the Supergen Bioenergy Hub - led by Aston University - worked closely with government departments to provide scientific evidence to inform the strategy, which outlines the role biomass will play in supporting the UK’s transition to net zero and how this will be achieved. Professor Patricia Thornley, who leads the Hub, says: “This is a comprehensive and considered biomass strategy that, rightly, places sustainability at the heart of UK bioenergy development. The challenge is now to produce actions that can deliver the sustainable system of biomass required to achieve net zero.” Sustainability is a major theme within the new strategy. It includes a review of how existing sustainability policies could be improved, as well as a commitment to developing a cross-sectoral sustainability framework (subject to consultation) to ensure sustainability across the many different applications of biomass. This follows previous work led by Dr Mirjam Rӧder, Systems Topic Group Lead in the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, calling for harmonised sustainability standards across different biomass applications, which is referenced in the strategy. Dr Rӧder says: “We need rigorous approaches to sustainability governance that go beyond emissions. Considering wider environmental, social and economic trade-offs is essential for true sustainability and building trust in bioenergy projects.” The strategy considers the amount of biomass resource that might be available to the UK in the future, highlighting the importance of both imported and domestically produced biomass resources. Professor Thornley comments: “It is important that the strategy recognises the potential of imported as well as indigenous biomass in achieving global greenhouse gas reductions. Sustainable systems should grow, convert and use biomass in the locations where they can deliver most impact, ensuring we take account of all supply chain emissions. We shouldn’t shy away from imports where the source is sustainable and the overall system makes environmental, economic and social sense.” The strategy also considers how biomass should be prioritised across a variety of applications to best support the transition to net zero. Biomass applications ranging from transport fuels and hydrogen to domestic and industrial heating are recognised as important, but in the medium to long term the focus is on integration of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). BECCS is an emerging technology where the CO2 that may be released during the production and use of electricity, fuels or products derived from biomass is captured and stored, potentially resulting in negative emissions. Professor Thornley comments: “The priority use framework outlined in the Biomass Strategy makes eminent sense. The UK (and the global energy system) needs carbon dioxide removals to deliver net zero. BECCS has an absolutely key role to play, as reflected in the strategy. Again, while this is encouraging to see, we must not underestimate the challenges of moving towards such a radically different system at scale.” “Relying on future BECCS deployment alone to counterbalance the current excess of greenhouse gas emissions would not enable the full potential and benefits of BECCS. BECCS should be deployed alongside measures to transition away from the use of fossil fuels, not instead of them,” adds Dr Joanna Sparks, Biomass Policy Fellow at the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, who engaged closely with government departments as they developed the strategy. Dr Sparks led an extensive policy engagement and knowledge transfer process to ensure that those developing the strategy had full access to the breadth and depth of UK scientific and engineering academic expertise, ensuring a robust, independent scientific base. Professor Thornley believes continued engagement between policymakers, academics and the wider sector is vital in achieving the next steps in the delivery of the Government’s strategy. She says: “The key to successful long-term results is a close partnership between academia, industry and policy stakeholders so that we can anticipate problems and plan the pathways to success.”
Aston Business School announces strategic partnership with ISACA
It will help ABS graduates optimise their career potential with industry leading credentials in cyber security and risk management Aston University’s Cyber Security Innovation Centre has gained ISACA Accredited Training Organisation (ATO) status The partnership forms an Academic Centre of Excellence (ACoE) at Aston Business School. The Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) Centre at Aston University has announced a strategic partnership and the formation of an Academic Centre of Excellence with the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). It will provide an added value for ABS graduates through taking ISACA certifications to optimise their career potential. Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy, a senior lecturer in cyber security management at the CSI Centre at Aston Business School, said: “There is an acute shortage of skills in the cyber security sector and we are delighted to be leading the field of executive education of future professionals under the recognition of a Centre of Excellence.” The CSI Centre and ISACA UK Central Chapter have been working together for the past four years, with both parties being ISACA ATOs (Accredited Training Organisations) in their own right, delivering high quality virtual and face-to-face instructor-led training which is helping delegates to achieve exam success and benefit from network membership of over 170,000 cyber professionals world wide. ISACA UK Central celebrated its 30 year anniversary in 2023. Their instructors are working consultants, with a wealth of experience as chief information security officers (CISOs), risk managers and IT audit directors, bringing the topic to life using real examples and practical knowledge. Professor Zoe Radnor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, said: “Taking our executive education in the cyber security direction is a strategic priority as Aston University has positioned itself as leader in digital technologies. The CSI Centre of Excellence underscores this priority.” Professor Helen Higson, deputy dean of Aston Business School, said: “The CSI Centre academics are always forward looking at the new demands in education and have created a dynamic set of postgraduate offering highly relevant in the market.” Professor Aleks Subic, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Aston University, said: “In line with our 2030 strategy focused on establishing Aston University as a leader in digital innovation, the Centre of Excellence represents an important step towards making Aston University a sector leader in cyber security.”
If you’re looking for comment on this week’s announcement about government’s proposed £50bn investment in creative industries we have a design expert available. Dr Tim Whitehead is associate dean and senior lecturer, engineering and technology, Aston University. He believes that although the Tory's promise spending for the creative industries they need to invest in education first. His full response is attached and below: “This week the government announced a plan to boost the creative industries by £50bn by 2030 and invest £77m in funding for the sector. “This news is fantastic and long overdue. The UK design economy contributes £97.4bn GVA and for every £1 invested in design we see a return of £4 to the wider economy. “The creative sector is a major British export with film, TV, music being some of the biggest exports. However, we also have physical products; If you’ve ever used an iPhone, a Dyson or ridden on a London double decker bus then you’ve used world class British design. “The funding is welcome, however we really need investment in our schools to teach creativity and align this with recent announcements in maths education. “The majority of our most successful designers / creative engineers started with Design and Technology at school. “Between academic years 2009-10 and 2021-22, the proportion of pupils taking Design and Technology GCSEs fell from around 42% to 27% in all schools in England. With only a minor increase in pupils taking Art and Design GCSE which increased from 27% to 29% over the same period. “There is a big gap here, and we really need to ensure that children have access to a creative education as school. “By embedding creativity into the next generation it will help foster new creative engineers data scientists etc. and the next Dyson.” Dr Tim Whitehead, associate dean and senior lecturer, engineering and technology, Aston University For inquiries contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk
• Professor Patricia Thornley has led a Department for Transport advisory paper • Advises decarbonisation will need low-carbon fuels alongside electrification • Calls for continued investment in this area. A leading energy expert at Aston University has advised government to invest in low carbon fuels - as well as electric - if it wants to reach its 2050 net zero ambition. Professor Patricia Thornley has led a Department for Transport (DfT) advisory paper on low carbon transport fuels. The paper advises that decarbonisation of the UK’s transport systems will need the government to support the use of low-carbon fuels alongside widespread battery electrification where possible. Professor Thornley and the other members who sat on the Scientific Advisory Council examined the challenges and opportunities of developing and using different fuels and their potential impact on the wider energy system. The authors highlight that low carbon fuels such as those made from agricultural waste can deliver reductions in carbon emissions, helping to meet the government’s 2050 net zero ambition. As a result, they state that continued investment in this area is crucial. The paper also states that at this point it’s not yet clear if low carbon fuels will support just the transition to full electrification of the UK’s transport systems or will be a long-term solution. Professor Thornley who is director of Aston University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub said: “Successful decarbonisation of transport systems in the UK will require flexible and adaptive government strategies that support the use of low-carbon fuels alongside widespread battery electrification, where that is possible. “The optimal mix of low carbon fuels vs battery electrification in transport will depend on many different factors, some technological, some supply related, and others linked to the capacity of the UK to generate low carbon electricity. “We urgently need to better understand and manage the airborne emissions that can still be present with low carbon fuels (including hydrogen). That might result in us prioritising different fuels or propulsion systems in different applications or even different parts of the UK. “Agreeing that prioritisation would allow us to prioritise appropriate next generation of infrastructure to support the UK’s net zero ambitions.” Back in March 2022 the Council was asked to provide guidance to the DfT which is currently developing a low carbon fuels strategy. The report, Low carbon transport fuels: DfT Science Advisory Council position paper was published on 5 June and provides an independent advice on the role of low carbon fuels in reducing transport systems’ greenhouse gas emissions.
Aston University wins £1.8m to boost West Midlands low carbon markets
• Aston University and local industry to develop technology to convert organic material into commercially valuable products • Sawdust, diseased trees and dried chicken litter among what can be transformed into sustainable bioproducts • West Midlands companies are invited to join a cluster to develop new low carbon products for growing markets. Aston University is to receive £1.8 million to transform the West Midlands into a powerhouse of low-carbon product development and commercialisation. The University will be building on its existing research facilities to lead the region’s Biochar CleanTech Accelerator as part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator. The project was set up with the aim to secure export contracts for low carbon products worth over £200 million, to be made by a regional industrial cluster. It is hoped that the development of a low-carbon business cluster in the West Midlands will open up new domestic and export markets to help rebuild the region’s engineering and manufacturing status. Biochar, a sustainable form of charcoal, can be used as a soil and plant growth enhancer. It stores carbon in the ground, so there are fewer greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Other products such as oils can be used as low carbon fuels for boilers and engines and the liquid by-product can be used for low carbon weedkiller, fungicide and plant growth. Aston University’s innovative technology is installed at its urban biochar demonstrator in south Birmingham. The project is based on the strengths of the University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) and its Centre for the Circular Economy and Advanced Sustainability (CEAS). Tim Miller, director of engagement at EBRI, said: “This new development has the potential to rebuild product development, engineering and manufacturing in our region. “The project aims to commercialise knowledge, facilities and the results of long-term university research for the benefit of the environment and our regional economy. “Using the University’s existing expertise and facilities we have the potential to launch new technology-based opportunities as they emerge and mature, The Biochar CleanTech Accelerator is part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator which was first announced in the government’s 2022 Levelling up White Paper and started this spring. It is funded through a share of a £100m from Innovate UK, to be divided by three regional innovation accelerators over the next two years. Launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in March 2023, it will target investment on projects enabling new solutions around Medical and Clean Technologies, to further reinforce the region’s position at the frontier of the UK innovation revolution. The University will also play a key role in two other projects in the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator. Companies interested in joining the cluster can get further information at https://www.aston.ac.uk/biochar-cleantech-accelerator or emailing biochar@aston.ac.uk
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) will strengthen existing partnership and form basis for future collaborations Official signing took place during an official visit by delegation from NEFU and AEMG on 22 May Delegation met senior staff from College of Engineering and Physical Sciences as well as NEFU students studying at Aston University. Aston University in Birmingham, UK and Northeast Forestry University (NEFU) in Harbin City in Heilongjiang Province, China have signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop their strategic partnership. The MoU will see the universities renew and strengthen their existing partnership and explore future collaborations in the areas of both teaching and research. The partnership is facilitated by AEMG Education, who have over 20 years of experience in brokering strategic relationships with Chinese universities. The official signing by Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, Professor Li Shunlong, Vice President of Northeast Forestry University and Mr Stephen Connelly, Vice President of AEMG Education, took place on 22 May during a visit to Aston University by a senior delegation from NEFU and AEMG Education. The delegation from NEFU also included Professor Liu Zhiming, Dean of Aulin College, Mr Sun Zhiping, Director of the International Cooperation Office and Professor Li Hongfen, Associate Professor of the College of Civil Engineering. AEMG Education was represented by Mr Stephen Connelly, Vice President of Business Development and Engagement, Dr Jacko Feng, Director of Research and Partnerships and Ms Sarah Armstrong, Director of Business Development, UK & Europe. During the visit, the delegation met with senior staff from the Department of Civil Engineering and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, including Executive Dean, Professor Stephen Garrett. They also had the opportunity to meet with the NEFU students studying at Aston University who have just completed their final year examinations. The Aston University/NEFU partnership was established around the development of a joint programme in BSc Construction Project Management which was approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education (MoE) in January 2018, under which students from NEFU are able to transfer into the final year of the programme at Aston University. In 2021/22, the first cohort of 21 students successfully finished their studies,10 of whom achieved first class degrees. Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, commented: “I am delighted to welcome visitors from NEFU and AEMG to Aston University and to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with NEFU. “This represents an important milestone in taking forward our collaboration. We are committed to continuing to strengthen our strategic relationship with NEFU and look forward to welcoming more students in the future.”
Experts from the Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing will examine the daily financial struggles of low to moderate income UK households The Real Accounts project will capture day-to-day financial fluctuations, understanding household money management strategies It is hoped the results will help inform policy and market innovation and debate. New research by the Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing at Aston University will shine a light on the real day-to-day experience of financial uncertainty among UK households and help inform policy and market innovation and debate. The Real Accounts project will build an in-depth understanding of the lived experience of financial uncertainty among low to moderate income households across the country. Believed to be the first of its kind in the UK and in contrast with the snapshot data achieved by annual surveys, this long-term study will provide a fully joined-up view of household finances, capturing the day-to-day, week-to-week ups and downs, working with households to understand the situations they face and the strategies they use to manage their money. The project will be a collaboration with Nest Insight and the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University. Experts will use a research data collection app that has been custom designed by Moneyhub to capture real-time income and expenditure transaction data over six months for a sample of around 50 low to moderate income households, combined with monthly interviewing. Professor Andy Lymer, director of the Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing at Aston University, said: “We are really pleased to be part of this innovative project, directly focusing on real experiences of managing financial volatility and the impact that has on broader aspects of wellbeing. Too little is currently known about the scope and scale of income and expense volatility experienced by UK households. This research is really timely given people are currently facing the very significant impact of the cost-of-living crisis and often enormous uncertainty about both their incomes and their expenditures. The outcomes of this work will generate deeper understanding of what it means to experience financial challenges in reality and over sustained periods of time. It will contribute to finding better ways to help people in their everyday lives and is a perfect fit for the focus of our Centre that seeks to deepen our understanding of what matters in creating personal financial wellbeing.” Sope Otulana, head of research at Nest Insight, said: “As the rising cost of living continues to impact households across the country, and levels of household debt climb, this research is more crucial than ever. The project aims to shine a light on exactly what it is like for households today managing volatile income and expenditure, sharing their first-hand stories. While large income and expenditure datasets track individuals and their behaviour out in the world, this research puts individuals back into the contexts where their financial lives play out, focussing on the overall household – partners, parents, siblings, friends and other social connections. It will look beyond the balance sheet to also analyse social, environmental, and health factors, as well as other dynamics that can come into play and affect household finances. The research will identify trends but also capture the variation within households, recognising that there is no ‘average’ household circumstance or experience.” Alex Christopoulos, Aviva Foundation lead and senior strategic adviser and consultant, said: “Millions in the UK are struggling and worried about money. The Real Accounts research provides us with an opportunity to understand how these households are managing to get by day-to-day; the choices they make, the strategies they take and the knock-on effects this has on other areas of their life. In uncertain times, we need to better understand how people deal with fluctuations in their incomings and outgoings – and what kinds of financial support and services might enable them to build a buffer, and a plan, to deal with today’s pressures, as well as what tomorrow may bring. The Aviva Foundation is proud to be supporting Nest Insight and its partners to deliver to the Real Accounts research.” Samantha Seaton, CEO of Moneyhub, said: “It is only when we have in-depth and holistic data on a person's or household’s finances that we can truly know and begin to understand the impact of the rising cost of living. This can only be successfully achieved by bringing all of an individual's or household’s financial data together in one place, from every-day spending to long-term projects such as buying a property and saving for retirement. At Moneyhub, we’re absolutely delighted to be providing our cutting-edge technology to enable Nest Insight and its partners to collect and analyse this crucial data. We know from our own users the pressure that the current economic situation is placing on them, with many unable to save resorting to borrowing to get by each month. Having thorough data and insight will enable any solution to be highly personalised in its approach and have a much more positive impact on those that require it most. Ultimately the more real-time financial data points, the more informed the decisions can be. It has always been our purpose at Moneyhub to improve financial wellness, and this project is just one example of how we’re using Open Finance to do exactly that.” You can find out more about the project here.
Aston University biofuel experts advise on how Ukraine can build back greener
• Aston University biofuel experts provide advice on Ukraine’s recovery • Professor Patricia Thornley and Dr Vesna Najdanovic were invited to Royal Society conference • Outcomes will be presented to policymakers at Ukraine Recovery Conference in June. Two Aston University scientists have provided expert advice on how the UK’s wealth of research can support Ukraine’s reconstruction. A two-day conference was organised by the Royal Society and its outcomes will be presented to policymakers ahead of the UK government-hosted Ukraine Recovery Conference in June. As Ukraine is one of the largest agricultural producers and exporters it also generates large amounts of agricultural waste which could be used to produce biofuels and valuable chemicals. This could decrease the country’s fuel import dependency and increase the revenues for the sector. Researchers at the conference explored how to tackle some of the many challenges facing Ukraine, from rebuilding its economy, health and wellbeing, regional security and planning for a green recovery. Professor Patricia Thornley who is director of Aston University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI), was one of the just three academics invited to contribute to an infrastructure roundtable session. Professor Thornley said: “I was honoured to be asked to attend the infrastructure roundtable and share my expertise on renewable energy and sustainable products. “Ukraine has significant sustainable agricultural and forestry residues, which can be valuable to plug potential gaps in oil and gas supply for heating in the short term. But in the long term these can provide opportunities to produce sustainable bio chemicals and materials which could provide a basis to grow green chemical, material and construction industries. “UK researchers, such as those at EBRI at Aston University and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, have the experience needed to work on developing these solutions to build back greener. Research evidence and expertise have a vital role to play in supporting policy makers to tackle the complex and urgent challenges related to the reconstruction and recovery of a resilient, sustainable Ukraine.” Meanwhile, Dr Vesna Najdanovic presented opportunities to develop bioenergy and bioproducts in Ukraine at the event and participated as a panel member. Ukraine’s recovery: rebuilding with research, which brought together Ukrainian and UK researchers and policy makers, was held on 15 and 16 May in London. It was funded by Universities UK International, Research England and the British Council and supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences, British Academy and the Royal Academy of Engineering.