Eating less sugar would be great for the planet as well as our health

Sugar addiction is on the rise. Globally, sugar intake has quadrupled over the last 60 years, and it now makes up around 8% of all our calories.

Are mergers necessary for 5G networks?

Research from the Oxford Martin Programme on Technological and Economic Change explores whether mergers in the mobile network industry benefit consumers, or if a new business trend in the sector might be a better approach.

Call for high-risk, high-reward research ideas in 2024/25 funding round

The School has opened its latest round of funding for 2024/25 and is inviting Expressions of Interest for high-risk and high-reward research that are solutions-focused and could have a major impact on the wellbeing of current and future generations from across the University of Oxford.

Climate Policy Monitor highlights implementation gap in net zero regulations

The Oxford Martin Programme on Net Zero Regulation and Policy has launched its Climate Policy Monitor, a regularly updated public resource evaluating the ambition, comprehensiveness, and stringency of climate-related regulations against over 250 data points.

Decentralised social media ‘increases citizen empowerment’, says Oxford study

Researchers from an Oxford Martin School programme have reported findings from a paper exploring the motivations and challenges in running decentralised social media such as Mastodon, concluding such platforms offer potential for increased citizen empowerment in this digital domain.

Researchers track how flu is affected during a pandemic

An international team of researchers, including researchers from the Oxford Martin Programme on Pandemic Genomics, have traced the global movement and evolution of seasonal influenza viruses to evaluate how the virus is impacted during pandemics.

Digital infrastructure examined in low- and middle-income nations

A new programme at the Blavatnik School of Government developed with the involvement of researchers who lead Oxford Martin School programmes will investigate the effects of digital public infrastructure (DPI) on inclusion and wellbeing in low- and middle-income countries, initially focusing on Ethiopia.

Work with nature to unlock economic prosperity, says major Oxford study

Nature-based solutions involve working with and enhancing nature to address societal challenges – such as climate change - in ways that benefit local communities and biodiversity. A comprehensive review of the economic impacts of nature-based solutions, published today in PLOS Climate, concludes they can unlock prosperity by boosting local economies, increasing agricultural productivity and creating jobs.

How insurance fuels action for development, climate and biodiversity goals

This week sees three major international conferences with the potential to shape the future of development – the G7, the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings and the United Nations Biodiversity Conference. A common theme is how to mobilise private sector investment and innovation for development and biodiversity and climate goals. As global leaders sit down with financiers to find solutions, insurers should also get a prominent seat at the table. We argue that insurance plays five crucial roles in unlocking innovation and investment and give examples of how insurers are already helping to protect and restore nature.

Systemic Resilience researchers work with World Bank on climate shocks

The Oxford Martin Systemic Resilience Initiative recently demonstrated its expertise in advancing practical solutions to manage global shocks – particularly those related to climate and nature risks in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) – by holding a series of thought leadership discussions and executive teaching workshops attended by World Bank leaders and over 30 senior officials from Ministries of Finance and financial regulators from more than 20 countries.

New programmes focus on AI threats, ‘second-life’ EV batteries and digital pandemic tools

The Oxford Martin School has announced three new programmes for 2024 that aim to develop research solutions to the most pressing 21st century issues. They will tackle the critical challenges of how we can improve our ability to detect attacks on AI systems; effectively redeploy electric vehicle batteries through ‘second-life’ schemes when they reach the end of their life; and optimally and ethically employ digital tools during a pandemic.

Wildlife trade researchers aim to better represent diversity of traded species

A co-director from the Oxford Martin Programme on Wildlife Trade was lead guest editor for a special issue of a Wiley journal that aims to broaden wildlife trade discussions and better represent the diversity of traded species.