November 2009
Researchers ask business – what “impossible” do you need us to measure?
A pan-European group of researchers looking into how we “measure the impossible” is calling on business and academia to let them know what they need to be quantified.
The Measuring the Impossible Network (MINET) shares research in areas of interdisciplinary science to develop new ways to measure complex phenomena that are dependent on human perception and/or interpretation.
The MINET project consortium would like to hear from all those with an interest in this area and posed the following questions for consideration:
- What are the potential benefits of research in “Measuring the Impossible” – for society, business, industry, the scientific community etc.?
- What are the barriers to achievement of these benefits?
- What should “Measuring the Impossible” research be aiming to achieve within the next 10 years and what are the associated key research priorities?
- What specific developments in measurement instrumentation, techniques, protocols etc. are required in order to achieve these research objectives?
Responses can be sent to Teresa Goodman (teresa.goodman@npl.co.uk) and will be used to inform a report on future research priorities that is being prepared for the EU.
Researchers involved in the project come from a range of scientific disciplines such as science, metrology, engineering, psychology, neuroscience and the creative arts, and from backgrounds such as the manufacturing and design industries, universities and National Measurement Institutes. It has been supported by the EU since February 2007 and is due to report its results and conclusions in Brussels in January 2010.
“The project aims to establish a community of researchers with an interest in understanding, quantifying and modelling human perception and/or interpretation. Such research provides exciting opportunities for enhanced scientific understanding of brain processes, improved product design and manufacturing, development of new measurement instrumentation and better approaches for clinical applications such as management of chronic pain. Topics being investigated by project partners include such diverse areas as measurement of perceived naturalness, understanding emotional responses to music, improving air quality and evaluating the reliability of eyewitness testimony” says Teresa Goodman, Principal Research Scientist at NPL.
Press enquiries to:
Joe Meaney, Proof Communication on 0845 680 1864 joe@proofcommunication.com
Notes to Editors
The partners involved in the project include: Stockholm University (project leaders), National Physical Laboratory; Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, University of Genoa, University of Ljubljana, SP Swedish National Testing & Research Institute
MINET is funded under the EU 6th Framework Programme as a NEST Pathfinder coordination action project.
Measuring the Impossible 