UK Acoustics Network and International Year of Sound

Abstract

In 2017, the UK's Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) funded a project to create the new Acoustics Network of research active acousticians in the UK (UKAN). The main aim of UKAN was to bring together researchers working in different areas of acoustics to enhance communication between groups, provide a focus for collaboration and innovation, and to maximise the future impact of acoustics-based research in the UK. UKAN works closely with the UK Institute of Acoustics and other professional bodies in the UK and overseas to promote the wider importance of acoustics and to raise its profile nationally and internationally via a range of research exchanges, workshops and public engagement events. The duration of the UKAN grant overlapped well with the International Year of Sound (IYS), its representatives took active part in the IYS Launch Event in January 2020 and continued to support IYS activities throughout 2020/21 despite of the pandemics. The successful UKAN’s operation paved the foundation for securing funding for UKAN + EPSRC grant that started in April 2021. This paper presents a summary of the accomplishments by UKAN/UKAN + and its wider role in planning and supporting of the activities related to the International Year of Sound.