On 20 September 2021, more than 40 delegates from the April workshop joined the follow-up meeting held at Jesus College, Cambridge, with about half of the participants joining remotely online. Delegates represented academia, industry and government during this one-day roadmapping meeting.
The objective of the follow-up meeting was to identify, summarise and finalise the key points presented at the April workshop. In line with the main aims of the workshop, the key activities, expertise and needs in the area of cleaning and decontamination were identified. Short term and long term strategies to maintain activities and current expertise, and to address current and future needs were discussed. All these points will be summarised in a roadmap document to be published on the ModCaD website.
A ten-year plan for investment from UK Research councils in partnership with industry was developed. This plan focusses on four areas to address the research needs on cleaning and decontamination:
- Communication: developing the ModCaD website to promote the research work on this topic and communicate about the importance of a quantitative approach to cleaning and decontamination.
- Community: building a strong UK-led international network of researchers and practitioners on this topic; organising regular meeting to discuss recent research advances and identify specific socio-economic needs.
- Training: preparing the next generation of researchers and experts on cleaning and decontamination, through a Doctoral Training Centre; encouraging research fellowships on the topic.
- Science base: lobbying government and industry for research funding, responding to relevant UK or European calls.
Cleaning and decontamination are embedded in our daily lives, with clear environmental impact, or risk to human health. Therefore, improvements in the complex science behind cleaning can only be effective with the help of everyone.
The workshop organisers wish to acknowledge again the financial support of EPSRC, as well as the organisation help of Jesus College, Cambridge.