Research being undertaken at the University of Aberdeen into how digital technologies could transform rural communities, society and business, will be outlined at a free public event tomorrow.
The University was awarded £12.4 million of funding by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) earlier this year to create the Rural Digital Economy Research Hub.
The facility is conducting research and development into digital technologies to enhance how crucial services such as healthcare and transport are delivered in rural areas across the UK.
It is also investigating how new technologies can benefit rural economies and communities by promoting new forms of enterprise in areas such as tourism and nature conservation.
Professor John Farrington, from the University of Aberdeen's School of Geosciences who is Director of the Rural Digital Economy Research Hub will outline the facility’s research programme at a seminar taking place at the MacRobert Building from 3 – 4pm.
How academics involved in the facility will engage with rural business and community groups as well as key partners will be one of the subjects highlighted in the seminar.
The event is the first in a series of weekly seminars being hosted by the Rural Digital Economy Research Hub, which will explore in more detail the different areas of research being undertaken by the facility.
The seminar is free to attend and is open to University staff and students and the public.
Refreshments will be available following the seminar.
For more information contact Claire Thorne, Training & Outreach Officer for the Rural Digital Economy Research Hub on 01224 274066 or email c.thorne@abdn.ac.uk .
For more information on the Rural Digital Economy Research Hub visit www.digital-rural.org/