Fellow: Dr Adam Michael Packer; Partner: Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust; School/Dept: School of Engineering
My Centre-UB Early Career Researcher Fellowship responds to the UK government’s interest and investment in developing drone capabilities in the UK, such as in NHS medical contexts. This follows several trials of drone deliveries of blood, defibrillators and other related materials by NHS and industry partners in UK nations as part of the UKRI Future Flight Challenge – a government and industry-funded innovation programme. I will explore public perceptions and behaviours towards medical uses of drones in ambulance services in Wales, and how this intersects with government, regulatory, and industry developments. In partnership with the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, and with support from Snowdonia Aerospace, I will take a mixed methods approach that combines new and existing behavioural data on 1) the public perceptual and attitudinal factors that emerge across a range of geographical contexts in Wales; and 2) the organisational attitudes and behaviours of stakeholder groups as possible enablers or barriers to its integration. Behavioural insights will be based on qualitative (semi-structured interviews, focus groups) as well as quantitative (surveys) data, systematically detailing the barriers, opportunities and risks of developing medical uses of drones. The insights generated by this fellowship will further support my engagement with a number of key local, regional and national stakeholders.