Multimodal Micro & Nanoplastic Research (MMNR) involves the synthesis and physical installation of multimodal research & educational content of micro and nanoplastic, providing a dynamic, educational experience tailored to a general university setting. The 'Plastic Footprint'. Involves the synthesis & physical installation of creative, educational content (research journals, infographics, posters) on microplastics in high-traffic areas. Include content from Horiba, UKCEH, and other research groups from Web of Science with publications (reviews, not specialist research journals, for broader and less technical coverage of lots of research, as opposed to one specialist publication), and the development I led on developing a world's first, one-of-a-kind nanoplastic detection kit,. Include touch & feel sections for marketing, e.g., life-sized human footprints made entirely from microplastics (ground from recyclables collected), representing the amount of microplastics a person unknowingly consumes (~ 260 g) yearly, and place them along popular university and public walkways, plastics found in animal tissues. Consider vibrant, ultra-HD pictures of affected wildlife, making it relatable to human stories. Include QR codes that link to stories on the general knowledge of microplastics and the Millennium Fellowship project. Additionally, collaborate with Imperial newsletter & magazine publishers, e.g., I,Science, and social media of departments of chemistry and possibly others like materials, both physically and virtually, which allow for further comprehensive, technical content, which includes exclusive interviews with professors, environmentalists, and DOIs to research journals.
KPIs: Foot traffic data, e.g., crowd dynamics, dwell times. The amount of QR code scans, or button clicks, which direct audiences to the story/ background of the content. The scaling is indicated by the number of universities and public spaces where research/ footprints are installed, volume/ mass of microplastics used in displays, and the no. of partnerships with environmental organizations and student groups for installation. Qualitative impact measurement (in other words, audience live surveys, interviews), and to publicize fellowship achievement, celebrate impact via media coverage.
ii. Social Media. Use humorous shorts to highlight the absurdity of single-use plastics, shifting social norms by turning sustainable practices 'cool'. 'Did you know?' series: weekly 1-min reels (#MicroplasticMonday), broadcasting general knowledge on plastic pollution and sustainable actions. KPIs include website visits, downloads, newsletter subscription growth rates, and reading durations. Additionally, for social media, KPIs include the amount of likes, shares, comments, hashtag usage on each post, and the results from short on-site/ follow-up surveys (e.g., “Did you know?” quizzes), which can indicate public engagement. For a holistic assessment, the accessible nature of social media means qualitative feedback like pre- & post-project surveys, stories, testimonials, interviews can be arranged with followers to indicate behaviour changes (plastic usage and recycling habits).
The key is that Multimodal Micro & Nanoplastic Research is a long-term project (I will likely centre my higher education career around it, and complement and support the project with the research or other forms of results I produce). Over the past two months (as discussed below), it involved mainly synthesis of content, which a pre-deployment package containing communication materials and research has been made, and is now awaiting approval from the department on opportunities and theme alignment. I have also been in contact with companies like HORIBA Scientific (specializes in chemical measurement) and will use their support & quotes describing my project, like 'exciting and highly promising advancement'. This long-term vision particularly suits the nature of microplastics pollution, as the issue is currently budding, projected to rise exponentially with plastic production. The portable nature of Multimodal Micro & Nanoplastic Research implies it can be easily scaled up and advertised for other universities to emulate through the fellowship. We can observe institutional policy adoptions, at a university, or even community level (with Society of Chemical Industry, Environmental Law and Policy centres, on behalf of the Millennium Fellowship), e.g. increasing no. of regulations on banning plastic beads in cosmetic products, no. of voluntary clean ups, and recycling initiatives. Practically, partner with universities to conduct baseline and follow-up audits of plastic pollution locally.