Scoping Our Planet
Our understanding of the Earth system is limited by serious measurement and modelling gaps that lead to unacceptable uncertainties in weather and climate predictions. By cultivating frontier technologies, from measurement platforms to artificial intelligence models, we can fill these gaps and generate actionable knowledge to serve society in diverse and so far impossible ways.
What is an opportunity space?
Opportunity spaces are areas of research that we believe are ripe for breakthroughs. They are defined by our Programme Directors, and must be highly consequential for society, under-explored relative to its potential impact, and ripe for new talent, perspectives, or resources to change what’s possible.
Updates to this opportunity space
Opportunity spaces evolve as our thinking progresses and additional Programme Directors bring fresh ideas. PD Rico Chandra has joined co-PDs Gemma Bale + Sarah Bohndiek to scale the ambition of Scoping Our Planet.
This expanded version of the opportunity space proposes that breakthroughs in measuring Earth systems will emerge from collaborations between disciplines like advanced measurement platforms, next-generation sensors, and powerful AI modelling. It'll also explore approaches that move beyond data collection to deep integration of information and modelling, enabling us to understand our entire Earth system, maximise planetary resilience, and revolutionise global business.
Core beliefs
The core beliefs that underpin this opportunity space:
Earth measurement and modelling gaps exist in space and time → closing these gaps is crucial to unlock actionable information.
A dynamic interplay of frontier platforms, sensors, and models could parameterise the entire Earth system → the resulting forecasts will revolutionise global business and maximise planetary resilience.
Technological innovation alone is not enough; fragmentation of Earth system research, disconnected from the needs of industry, policymakers, and society, is severely impeding progress → transforming data into knowledge and accountability is vital for a future of human prosperity on a flourishing planet.
Observations
Some signposts as to why we see this area as important, underserved, and ripe.
Shaping our upcoming programme thesis: Perpetual Flight
As part of Rico's expansion of the opportunity space, he's looking for feedback on an emerging programme thesis: Perpetual Flight.
Range is a primary constraint on intra-atmospheric flight today. Birds, however, have shown the ability to stay aloft for months by harnessing atmospheric energy sources. There is no fundamental reason why machines shouldn’t outperform birds in long endurance flight.
- How can we design aircraft that can reliably find thermals and wind shear, harvest energy from them, and interlace these into long unpowered flight paths?
- Could perpetual endurance aviation unlock benefits in sensing and communications far beyond what satellite technology has delivered?
- How can cutting edge modelling, sensors, and robotics enable machines to prospect for and exploit environmental sources of energy in new ways
Programme spotlight: Forecasting Tipping Points
Major parts of the Earth system are at risk of crossing climate tipping points within the next century, with severe consequences for biodiversity, food security, agriculture, and humanity.
Despite the potential impact, we’re poorly equipped to characterise the long-term trends of our climate systems, or predict the future risk of runaway, self-perpetuating change.
Backed by £81m, this programme combines expertise in observation and modelling with innovative sensing systems, to develop a proof-of-concept for an early warning system for climate. By confidently predicting when a system will tip, what the consequences may be, and how quickly that change may unfold, we’ll equip society with the information it needs to build resilience and accelerate proactive climate mitigation.
Meet the programme teams
Our Programme Directors are supported by a Programme Specialist (P-Spec) and Technical Specialist (T-Spec); this is the nucleus of each team. P-Specs lead the project management of their programme and opportunity space, whilst T-Specs provide specialised technical expertise to support programmatic rigour.
Gemma Bale + Sarah Bohndiek
Co-Programme Directors
Gemma Bale and Sarah Bohndiek are biomedical physicists working as co-Programme Directors. They both joined ARIA from the University of Cambridge, where Gemma continues to lead teams working on non-invasive brain monitoring, and Sarah in optical imaging technology for earlier cancer detection.
Rico Chandra
Programme Director
Rico is a repeat founder who cut his teeth at the frontier of defence technologies. He has advised governments, investors, and high-growth companies on emerging tech and their strategic impact. He founded Arktis Radiation Detectors, whose systems are now deployed worldwide. Rico holds a PhD in dark matter detection from CERN and an MSc from ETH Zurich.
Jess Humphreys
Programme Specialist
Prior to working with ARIA, Jess built a career innovating clinical trial management at tech SMEs, where she led teams developing interactive response technology platforms to streamline trial processes, and oversaw global data management and quality control at neuroimaging facilities. Jess supports Gemma + Sarah at ARIA as an operating partner from Pace.
Dan Giles
Technical Specialist
Dan has a diverse academic background in applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science, with a focus on developing and enhancing ocean and atmospheric models. He joined ARIA to work with Gemma + Sarah from University College London, where he is a Senior Research Fellow in machine learning for weather and climate sciences.
Nivashinee Krishnakumar
Programme Specialist
Nivashinee has more than five years’ experience in programme management and project delivery. She led high profile projects at a leading global technology consultancy and has worked within delivery management in a variety of industries, ranging from edtech and life sciences to the aviation aftermarket. Nivashinee supports Rico at ARIA as an Operating Partner from Pace.
Our other opportunity spaces
Our opportunity spaces are designed as an open invitation for researchers from across disciplines and institutions to learn with us and contribute – a variety of perspectives are just what we need to change what’s possible.