The researchers involved: |
|
Carly Whittaker Rothamsted Research |
Carly has been working on the sustainability of bioenergy for over ten years.
|
Karen Finney University of Sheffield |
Karen has worked on advanced thermal biomass processes with carbon capture for 4 years.
|
Kui Zhang University of Newcastle |
Kui has been working the integration of plasma, catalysis and process intensification and its application in bioenergy production for over ten years.
|
Miao Guo Imperial College London |
Miao has been working on bioenergy systems modelling, optimisation and sustainability issues for last ten years.
|
Mirjam Roeder University of Manchester |
Mirjam has been working in the fields of bioenergy, climate change and international development for over 10 years.
|
Nathan Skillen Queen's Belfast |
Nathan has been working on advanced technologies for the past 7 years
|
Patrick Mason University of Leeds |
Patrick has worked as an Engineer for over 25 years on various energy-related technologies
|
Rob Holland University of Southampton |
Rob is an ecologist who has worked on the sustainability of bioenergy for 7 years.
|
Scott Banks Aston University |
Scott has been working in the bioenergy field for eight years.
|
Zakir Khan University of Glasgow |
Zakir has been working on technology development of bioenergy for last seven years.
|
The artists involved: |
|
James McKay |
James Mckay is a comic artist and illustrator specializing in communicating scientific research, in particular about animals, plants, environments and climate change in the past and in the future. James has illustrated the comic Flesh for 2000AD, the book ‘Dinosaurs of the British Isles’ (Siri Scientific Press) and he led the Royal Academy of Engineering funded graphic novel project ‘Dreams of a Low Carbon Future’ (link to: https://cdt.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/dtc-low-carbon-technologies/ )
|
Ben Dickson |
Benjamin Dickson is a comics writer, illustrator and designer. Previous projects include the action comedy “Santa Claus vs the Nazis” (For Aces Weekly and Markosia) and the the non-fiction graphic novel “Fight the Power! A Visual History of Protest Among the English-Speaking Peoples” (Published by New Internationalist and Seven Stories). He was also the designer and co-editor of the Royal Academy of Engineering project “Dreams of a Low Carbon Future”
|
Emma Chinnery |
Emma Chinnery is an Illustrator and Cartoonist based in London, UK. Emma creates chalk board artwork and graphics for Whole Foods Market and has worked for clients including Aces Weekly and Bloomsbury Publishing. She has also appeared in Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year in association with the National Portrait Gallery. Emma’s published works include Aces Weekly: THE VOID, GRANNY STATE, LAST THURSDAY and GRAN THEFT PUDDLETON. Bloomsbury Publishing: DRAWING A VEIL. Royal Academy of Engineering: DREAMS OF A LOW CARBON FUTURE which was nominated for National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) ‘Engage’ Awards 2014. Sky Arts: A LITTLE BOOK OF PORTRAITS. |
John Swogger |
John Swogger is an archaeologist who creates comics as public outreach for excavation projects, research laboratories, museums and visitors centres. He is the author of a weekly newspaper comic strip about the archaeology and history of the English/North Welsh border region. |
Corban Wilkin |
Corban Wilkin is a cartoonist and illustrator with a focus on graphic fiction. He was the winner of the Observer Graphic Short Story Prize for his comic But I Can’t and his full-length graphic novel Breaker’s End was listed for the Myriad First Graphic Novel Award and nominated for a British Comics Award.
|
A graphic introduction to bioenergy
This graphic novel covers what bioenergy is, why we should use it, what people worried are about when we talk about bioenergy and how to ensure a future with bioenergy will be sustainable.
We address a number of questions we often get asked as bioenergy researchers: “Why is it OK to cut down trees?” “Does it compete with food?” “Does it cause pollution?”. This is a great time to find common ground with concerns over biomass, and address how we use research and policies to solve the issues. We also look to the future to see how bioenergy could be adopted and become a normal way of life for all of us.
Why does this matter?This is so important! Our industrial stakeholders and Advisory Board identified public perception as one of the key barriers to the uptake of bioenergy. This way, no matter how amazing our findings are, if people do not understand them they will not accept them then we will get nowhere.
Why a comic? We wanted to produce something that could reach a wide audience, that was both captivating and highly informative. Graphic novels are basically extended infographics, using ‘pictures to say 1000 words’ and using text to make sure the reader understands what we are showing them.
Who was involved? The comic was produced by a team of ten Supergen Bioenergy Hub postdoctoral researchers working in the UK’s leading universities and research institutes on bioenergy. Five talented artists turned their research into graphics.
Where can I get a copy? You can download a copy of the comic here. If you would like a physical copy of the comic, please email supergen-bioenergy@aston.ac.uk.
Further reading
Committee on Climate Change: Biomass in a low-carbon economy
The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA): Bioenergy Strategy
Committee on Climate Change: Land use: Reducing emissions and preparing for climate change
For further information or to discuss any of the issues raised in the comic, please contact us at supergen-bioenergy@aston.ac.uk.