The ‘diversifying drone stories’ research project is interested in hearing from ARPAS-UK members. Led by Dr Anna Jackman (University of Reading), the ‘Diversifying drone stories’ research project explores the use, perception, and impact of drones in changing UK airspace.

Drones are used in a growing range of applications – from emergency services, inspection and monitoring, to commercial deliveries. While associated with a range of benefits, drones are also associated with risks, from accidents to deliberate misuse.

Drones therefore raise questions about how airspace is managed, occupied, experienced, and regulated. Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), this project engages with diverse stakeholders (including emergency services, lawyers, industry, pilots, air traffic management, members of the public) who variously deploy, design, manage and live under drones, to understand different perspectives on how drones are (re)shaping UK airspace and everyday lives below.

As members of the drone industry, the project is interested in hearing about your experiences and views. The researcher invites ARPAS-UK members to complete an online survey where you can share your views on drone opportunities and challenges, regulations and potential airspace futures.

Thank you for your interest in the project and for sharing your views.

Bio: Dr Anna Jackman is a Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Reading. Through the
lens of the drone, Anna’s research explores the ‘unmanning’ of everyday, urban and military life.
Anna is currently leading an ESRC-funded research project, ‘diversifying drone stories’. Anna acted as
the Specialist Advisor for the 2019 House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Inquiry
into ‘Commercial and recreational drone use in the UK’, and contributed as an expert witness to the
Defence Committee’s 2019 Inquiry into the ‘Domestic threat of drones’.

25 August 2022