Loughborough Institute of Advanced Studies Podcast

Dr Ben Robinson - Engaging the Entire Humanitarian Clean Cooking System: Unlocking Institutional Scale

IAS Residential Fellow Dr Ben Robinson delivers a seminar on their research - 
The vast majority of the 110 million forcibly displaced people on our planet do not have access to modern, reliable, and sustainable energy systems and services. Currently, access energy across the humanitarian system relies on diesel powered generators – yet, this is not sufficient. People are forced to take matters into their own hands relying on polluting, often unsustainably sourced, and unhealthy fuels for their heating, lighting, and cooking needs. Despite the cost of renewable energy technologies falling, the uptake of these “cleaner” solutions has been low across the humanitarian system, especially when considering clean cooking technologies at the institutional scale. This seminar will explore the state of the humanitarian energy sector, the role of clean cooking, and how the institutional scale may unlock more efficient and effective pathways to the completion of UN SDG7 – sustainable energy for all.

Dr Yoel Asseraf and Professor Kalanit Efrat - Manifesting Chutzpah in business: How Chutzpadik behaviour affects advertising effectiveness and export performance

IAS Visiting Fellows Dr Yoel Asseraf and Professor Kalanit Efrat deliver a seminar on their research - 
Chutzpah helps you stand out. This is particularly evident in advertising (through differentiation), and exporting (increasingly predicated on entrepreneurship). Yet, knowledge of Chutzpadik behavior in business in general, and advertising and exporting in particular, is fragmented. We present the results of studies that a) define and delineate Chutzpadik behaviour in business, and b) examine its consequences for advertising effectiveness and export performance. Three sets of in-depth interviews with advertising executives, general public, and export managers reveal three Chutzpadik dimensions: norm violation, novelty, and audacity. A dyadic survey of advertising executives and general audience confirms the existence of the three dimensions of Chutzpadik behaviour in advertising, and reveals that these differentially affect advertising effectiveness. A second survey with export managers reveals that Chutzpadik behaviour plays a crucial role in market-driven firms facing high levels of competitive dynamism. A third survey with export managers uncovers that Chutzpah is less important for market-driving firms. 

Dr Jonny Hansen - Electric Vehicle (EV) Tribology & Technology

IAS Visiting Fellow Dr Jonny Hansen delivers a seminar on their research - 
This talk explores the key role of tribology in advancing electric vehicle (EV) mobility. Emphasizing the intricate connection between the electrical and lubrication regimes in EV bearing contacts, the presentation highlights the challenges posed by electrified conditions to the traditionally considered relative safety of the elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) regime.
Accurate assessments of the EHL to mixed lubrication (ML) transition are urgently needed. However, conventional methods like Tallian’s lambda ratio prove inadequate, potentially leading to false indications of ML and the absence of electric arcing caused by 'bearing currents.'
To address these issues, Dr Hansen introduces Λ*, a novel film parameter designed for a more precise assessment of the lubrication regimes. This parameter aids in evaluating under which conditions electric arcing may occur and when the lubricant film is sufficiently thick for electrical insulation.
The presentation then extends its focus to cover EV drivetrain technology in the context of the proposed film parameter and concludes by highlighting current design mitigation strategies for EVs, along with prospects for further research.
For more information about the IAS, please visit - https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/ias

Dr Daniel Boateng - Being active in Ghana: A CLiMB Ghana study

IAS Visiting Fellow Dr Daniel Boateng delivers a seminar on their research - 
The Centre for Lifestyle Medicine and Behaviour (CLiMB) is collaborating with colleagues from institutions in Ghana (CLiMB-Ghana), to conduct a descriptive cross-sectional study in six regions of Ghana, with two regions each selected from the southern, middle, and northern parts of Ghana. In 2022, 19% and 25% of the adult male and female populations respectively, in Ghana were physically inactive. However, efforts to address physical inactivity in the population lags behind other health priorities. Using a survey, the study aims to assess a range of feasible physical activities available to Ghanaians and evaluate adults understanding, attitudes, and behavioural patterns towards physical activity. Using a multistage sampling design ~1000 adults residing in selected study sites in Ghana will be invited to participate.  Findings will provide important information  for the implementation of future physical activity interventions in Ghana, as well as for other African countries.
For more information about the IAS, please visit - https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/ias