This study will link the changing nature of jobs due to automation and the platform economy to regional infrastructure planning and transport operations, and the role specifically of transport automation within this context. The patterns and forms of jobs are changing due to many different reasons, leading to non-traditional work schedules and differences in commuting patterns, non-standard work travel patterns, and even elimination of certain jobs and creation of new ones, with significant implications for regional infrastructure planning and transport operations. At the same time, there are enormous changes anticipated in infrastructure and operations, due to large-scale automation in the transport sector (eg autonomous and connected vehicles). This project will make estimates of the changing nature of jobs due to these considerations at the regional level towards the goal of deriving the transport and regional infrastructural planning consequences. The project will use labour market survey data as well as privately-held labour market data on jobs, skills and industry to estimate regional variations due to these trends, given regional industry-occupation mix. These changes will be linked to the Spatial Urban Data System (SUDS), which is a UK-wide geospatial data infrastructure under development within UBDC containing transport infrastructural and operational conditions. , and which has been recently used to identify areas of transport poverty throughout the UK and the extent to which and which we will expand through work with the project's industrial partners. Using these data sources, we will identify regional automation risks due to unique industry and skill concentrations and derive transport and infrastructure planning implications. Within this context, we will also evaluate the role of autonomous vehicles given potentially different commuting patterns using specialist transport simulation models. We will further develop specialist transport simulation models to ascertain which packages of "last-mile" transport solutions (low-energy station cars, autonomous vehicles, shared transport, active travel and demand-response services) are likely to bring about high-quality, sustainable and socially-equitable forms of transport accessibility in areas at risk of changing nature of jobs. We will then combine the results of our various model scenarios, using ensemble forecasting methods utilising Bayesian Model Averaging or related techniques to ascertain which packages are more likely to bring about high-quality transport accessibility in the selected areas.

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in "Diversity-led, mission-driven research" proposes a radical inverted model for CDT delivery. By inverted model, we mean that, rather than coalescing around a scientific topic, we will create an inclusive, supportive and inspiring environment to foster diverse teams (postgraduate researchers, supervisors, management teams, external partners) that together lead innovative and interdisciplinary projects. In doing so we foster truly disruptive and excellent research. The prevalence of genuinely disruptive, novel scientific research is dropping as fields become condensed and researchers are siloed. There is a large body of evidence that describes the significant impact of diversity on innovation. Researchers from marginalised and minority backgrounds, however, face significant hurdles throughout their careers, notably at the transition points before and after postgraduate research. There is therefore a compelling scientific and economic case that focussing on diversity will lead to more significant impact in research and contribute to address the shortfall in skilled STEM workers. The resources, peer-learning, training, mentoring, championship and support provided by the cohort-model and the CDT framework will allow to demonstrate that when the appropriate environments are in place, diversity and excellence will flourish. The University of Glasgow is ideally placed to support and host this CDT; its world-leading academic expertise and infrastructures and internationally leading track record in positive research culture offer unique opportunities for collaborative research. It also has accumulated significant experience in inclusive research through various initiatives to support underrepresented communities, including our highly successful James McCune Smith PhD Scholarships for Black British students. Our CDT will build upon these to offer radical new pathways for the training of scientists and the generation of innovative interdisciplinary science around key institutional thematic areas. We will apply evidence-led best practice alongside our longstanding institutional experience to ensure diversity permeates across our recruitment, project selection, training, supervision, mentoring, retention, governance and self-reflection processes. Through tailored, structured support of our researchers and academics, both individually and collectively as annual cohorts, we will foster an inclusive community where our members will be united by a sense of common purpose to effectively tackle mission-driven challenges. Three pillars underpin CDT delivery: CONNECT, community engagement and long-term pipeline building activities attract those who have been discouraged from PhDs or faced insurmountable structural barriers to entry; BELONG, intensive training activities and PhD-spanning cohort building activities, ensure all students are fully prepared for PhD study and integrated into the CDT; and THRIVE, comprehensive training, mentoring, networking and external engagement complements interdisciplinary research activities to foster a pipeline of diverse, talented graduates, with enhanced career prospects across a range of sectors. Through innovative CDT management: our online Catalogue of Possibilities to capture the imagination of applicants; the use of sandpits to generate discipline-crossing projects; enhanced bespoke mentoring from industry and academia; and an inverted crucible exercise to allow students to select projects and supervisors, we will demonstrate the clear pathway from diversity to excellence. We will offer opportunities for diverse talent to thrive, and in doing so generate genuine scientific excellence while building a critical mass of role models and research leaders, as well as novel initiatives in fostering inclusive research culture. The CDT will therefore be a catalyst for genuine, positive change, and act as a beacon for UK Higher Education.

Cloud storage is rapidly growing because we all, as individuals, companies, organisations and governments, rely on data farms filled with large numbers of 'server' computers using hard disk drives (HDDs) to store personal and societal digital information. One server is required for every 600 smartphones or 120 tablet computers, and trends such as Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things are generating yet more new data, so the Cloud will continue to grow rapidly. The Cloud accounted for 25% of storage in 2010 and will account for >60% by 2020. As a result of these trends, the Cloud storage market is growing at 30% p.a. and is expected to be worth nearly $100b by 2022. While almost all personal computing and related electronic devices have migrated to solid state drives (SSD), HDDs are the only viable technology for cloud storage and a step change in the capacity of HDDs is required. Due to the limitations of existing magnetic materials, a new technology is needed to increase the density of magnetic data recording beyond the current 1Tb/sq. inch out to well beyond 10Tb/sq. inch and meet the 30% annual growth rate. Heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) has been identified to overcome physical challenges and has now demonstrated proof of principle. HAMR requires the integration of photonic components including lasers, waveguides and plasmonic antennas within the current magnetic recording head transducer. With a total addressable market (TAM) of 400-600 million hard disk drives p.a. with 3-4 heads per drive, HAMR is projected to require 2+ billion diode lasers p.a. & become the largest single market for laser diodes and photonic integration. HAMR will only be successful if it can be deployed as a low-cost manufacturable technology. Its successful development will therefore drive low-cost photonic integration and plasmonic technology into other industries and applications. Queen's University Belfast & University of Glasgow co-created CDT PIADS in 2014/15 with 9 companies, and the founding vision of CDT PIADS was to train cohorts of high calibre doctoral research students in the skillsets needed by the data storage & photonics partner-base & the wider UK supply chain. Students are trained in an interdisciplinary environment encompassing five themes of robust semiconductor lasers, planar lightwave circuits, advanced characterisation, plasmonic devices, & materials for high density magnetic storage. By providing high-level scientific & engineering research skills in the challenges of integrating photonics & advanced materials alongside rich & enhanced skills training, graduating doctoral students are equipped to lead & operate at the highest technical levels in cross geographic distributed environments. In renewal we exploit the opportunity to engage & enhance our programme in collaboration with Science Foundation Ireland & the Irish Photonics Integration Centre with complementary capabilities including packaging & microtransfer printing for materials/device integration. Our training is expanded to include research on computational properties of functional & plasmonic materials and introduce a new programme of professional externally validated leadership training & offering both PhD and EngD routes. All 50 students recruited in renewal will have industry involvement in their programme, whether through direct sponsorship/collaboration or via placements. Our anchor tenant partner, Seagate Technology, has a major R&D and manufacturing site in the UK. Their need to manufacture of up to 1b p.a. photonic integrated devices at this site gives CDT PIADS a unique opportunity to create an ecosystem for training & research in photonic integration and data storage. The anchor tenant model will bring other companies together who also need the human resource & outcomes of the CDT to meet their skills demands.

o achieve this vision, we will address major global research challenges towards the establishment of the "quantum internet" —?globally interlinked quantum networks which connect quantum nodes via quantum channels co-existing with classical telecom networks. These research challenges include: low-noise quantum memories with long storage time; connecting quantum processors at all distance scales; long-haul and high-rate quantum communication links; large-scale entanglement networks with agile routing capabilities compatible with - and embedded in - classical telecommunicatons networks; cost-effective scalability, standardisation, verification and certification. By delivering technologies and techniques to our industrial innovation partners, the IQN Hub will enable UK academia, national laboratories, industry, and end-users to be at the forefront of the quantum networking revolution. The Hub will utilise experience in the use of photonic entanglement for quantum key distribution (QKD) alongside state-of-the art quantum memory research from existing EPSRC Quantum Technology Hubs and other projects to form a formidable consortium tackling the identified challenges. We will research critical component technology, which will underpin the future national supply chain, and we will make steps towards global QKD and the intercontinental distribution of entanglement via satellites. This will utilise the Hub Network's in-orbit demonstrator due to be launched in late 2024, as well as collaboration with upcoming international missions. With the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), we will explore applications towards quantum advantage demonstrations such as secure access to the quantum cloud, achievable only through entanglement networks. Hub partner National Physical Laboratory (NPL) working with our academic partners and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will ensure that our efforts are compatible with emerging quantum regulatory standards and post-quantum cybersecurity to bolster national security. We will foster synergies with competing international efforts through healthy exchange with our global partners. The Hub's strong industrial partner base will facilitate knowledge exchange and new venture creation. Achieving the IQN Hub's vision will provide a secure distributed and entanglement-enabled quantum communication infrastructure for UK end-users. Industry, government stakeholders and the public will be able to secure data in transit, in storage and in computation, exploiting unique quantum resources and functionalities. We will use a hybrid approach with existing classical cyber-security standards, including novel emerging post-quantum algorithms as well as hardware security modules. We will showcase our ambition with target use-cases that have emerged as barriers for industry, after years of investigation within the current EPSRC QT Hubs as well as other international efforts. These barriers include security and integrity of: (1) device authentication, identification, attestation, verification; (2) distributed and cloud computing; (3) detection, measurement, sensing, synchronisation. We will demonstrate novel applications as well as identify novel figures of merit (such as resilience, accuracy, sustainability, communication complexity, cost, integrity, etc.) beyond security enhancement alone to ensure the national quantum entanglement network can be fully exploited by our stakeholders and our technology can be rapidly translated into a commercial setting.

However, access to silicon prototyping facilities remains a challenge in the UK due to the high cost of both equipment and the cleanroom facilities that are required to house the equipment. Furthermore, there is often a disconnect in communication between industry and academia, resulting in some industrial challenges remaining unsolved, and support, training, and networking opportunities for academics to engage with commercialisation activities isn't widespread. The C-PIC host institutions comprising University of Southampton, University of Glasgow and the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC), together with 105 partners at proposal stage, will overcome these challenges by uniting leading UK entrepreneurs and researchers, together with a network of support to streamline the route to commercialisation, translating a wide range of technologies from research labs into industry, underpinned by the C-PIC silicon photonics prototyping foundry. Applications will cover data centre communications; sensing for healthcare, the environment & defence; quantum technologies; artificial intelligence; LiDAR; and more. We will deliver our vision by fulfilling these objectives: Translate a wide range of silicon photonics technologies from research labs into industry, supporting the creation of new companies & jobs, and subsequently social & economic impact. Interconnect the UK silicon photonics ecosystem, acting as the front door to UK expertise, including by launching an online Knowledge Hub. Fund a broad range of Innovation projects supporting industrial-academic collaborations aimed at solving real world industry problems, with the overarching goal of demonstrating high potential solutions in a variety of application areas. Embed equality, diversity, and inclusion best practice into everything we do. Deliver the world's only open source, fully flexible silicon photonics prototyping foundry based on industry-like technology, facilitating straightforward scale-up to commercial viability. Support entrepreneurs in their journey to commercialisation by facilitating networks with venture capitalists, mentors, training, and recruitment. Represent the interests of the community at large with policy makers and the public, becoming an internationally renowned Centre able to secure overseas investment and international partners. Act as a convening body for the field in the UK, becoming a hub of skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities, with regular events aimed at ensuring possibilities for advancing the field and delivering impact are fully exploited. Increase the number of skilled staff working in impact generating roles in the field of silicon photonics via a range of training events and company growth, whilst routinely seeking additional funding to expand training offerings.