Indoor/outdoor Bioaerosols Interface and Relationships Network - BioAirNet

In 2019 the Public Health of England estimated that, in the UK, between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths a year can be attributed to long-term exposure to air pollution. However, we still do not know what role particulate matter of biological origins (BioPM) or bioaerosols play in this health burden nor the precise impact of exposures within the indoor or outdoor continuum. Therefore, we don't yet know how to control BioPM. There is also significant knowledge gap on how the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of BioPM emissions are affected at the indoor-outdoor continuum and how these affect exposure patterns and what are the resultant health impacts. The lack of progress to date mainly stems from disconnected scientific disciplines and sectoral foci, each with their own perspectives, terminology and methods. Likewise, lack of knowledge on dose-response relationships and changing landscapes of psychosocial, economical and physical vulnerability and susceptibility of the population to BioPM over the life course and in different indoor and outdoor environments are key barriers to the estimation of health benefits. Therefore, the proposed network will address the interdisciplinary challenge needed for quantifying and managing human exposure to biological particulate matters and related health risks across a continuum of diverse indoor to outdoor environments. The research will engage with a wide range of actors to realise societal impact and establish cross-collaboration activities along with a roadmap for a comprehensive "Bio-exposome" assessment and characterisation.

Interactive activities including workshops and an online discussion forum are planned throughout the project. These activities will offer a unique opportunity for participants to debate issues around BioPM in a contested space with different interest groups. This will reveal new ways of thinking and innovative solutions to policy and issues around BioPM, as well as informing the ongoing focus of the network. Networking and dissemination activities include an annual based community event which showcases the disciplines needed to create a coherent research community that can explore the field all the way from functionality at a molecular level to the societal implications of introducing new approaches and technologies. Working groups (WG) each focused on a different theme will identify priority areas and draw on selected participants to ensure cross-fertilisation and the transfer of knowledge between disciplines, translating these into tangible outputs for stakeholders, policy-makers and other community-based actors. Joint events with other Networks will have an important function for cross-fertilisation and two-way transfer of knowledge and expertise. Cross-theme workshops will act as sandpits for cross-disciplinary and industry/academic discussion of transitional research developments. There is also a strong focus on empowering early career researchers (ECR) with an annual ECR conference, cross-disciplinary skills training, outreach activities, active programmes of inter-laboratory and industry secondments and directly allocated funds for ECR mobility to present work at international events.

BioAirNet has a strong and robust management and governance plan that has a high level of community-based stakeholders' involvement and reaches out to attract membership of the Air Community worldwide.

The Network has been specifically planned to deliver the following impacts:
1. Widening and strengthening connections with influential trade groups, learned societies and associations (e.g. Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, Saint Gobain, Renewable Energy Association, the Aerosol Society and the Institute of Physics, RSK, Building Engineering Services Association). Representation from these is key towards long-term sustainability, maintaining broader industry, charity and business support for the network, and for accessing supplementary specialist expertise. The dissemination channels available through these organisations, and their voice in the context of government policy and regulators, will prove vital to the uptake of the network activities, and hence impact and benefit of the network.
2. Providing multiple opportunities for debate and dialogue (e.g. Theme Working Group meetings and cross-theme activities), shared problem solving, and collaboration (e.g. exchanges & training). Opening up BioAirNet events to both the private sector and non-partner institutions will enhance the potential academic and commercial benefits of the Network and ensure its long-term sustainability through a transition to self-funded activities.
3. Supporting capacity development and capability in a co-owned and professional framework that will contribute to the development and dissemination of a systematic and cross cutting approach and related tools allowing to work across disciplines, engage with stakeholders and impact on policy. Further benefits will be realised through activities for future funding applications and extended international collaborations beyond those developed within the BioAirNet activities.
4. Touching on societal challenges such as environmental sustainability, human health and wellbeing, air quality and living urban environments. As a result, we expect the network's outputs to be of interest to national and local media and will work with the partner universities to publicise the outputs through these.
5. Enhancing the development of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) as highly skilled researchers with the theoretical and practical skills needed to transform organisations, addressing a recognised skills gap.
6. Engaging through outreach activities with local schools allowing young people to meet inspiring role models and experience hands-on STEM activities. This STEM collaboration will aim to develop educational support materials for use by local teachers and to provide a legacy of resource for teaching beyond the end of the project. Societal impact will also be attained through public engagement and education outputs, including events such as the MK Science Festival.
7. Impacting on the research agenda by promoting whole systems approaches to environmental research as a key to high quality interdisciplinary outcomes. It will assist in national and international dissemination of its members' work for presentation at conferences, by web publishing the proceedings of its own workshops, symposia and conferences and drawing attention to these events and outputs through social media.
8. Providing a source of evidence and expertise in support of UK policy in the field air pollution, both through direct involvement with bodies such as the Environment Agency (EA) and indirectly by working with Trade and Professional associations in an advisory capacity.
9. Support the personal development of Network members across the career span, and especially at early career stage, by providing opportunities for interaction between community-based stakeholders and academic researchers and creating lasting links (both nationally and internationally) between different disciplines and communities.