The Noise Network Plus (NN+) General Assembly took place this week in Manchester, bringing together researchers, industry partners, policymakers, and members of the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Sustainable Sound Futures for a series of collaborative discussions on the future of noise research in the UK.
Representatives from universities, government bodies, and professional organisations gathered to review the network’s progress and shape its next phase of activity. The event highlighted the growing national effort to understand, manage, and reduce the harmful impacts of noise pollution on society.
CDT voices at the event
Among the contributors was Max Ellis, a second‑year CDT PhD student, member of the NN+ A.I. and Digital Working Group, and NN+ coordinator for the IOA Early Careers Group and Young Acousticians Network. He reflected on the value of the assembly for both early‑career researchers and the wider acoustics community.
“It was a great experience being able to meet so many people involved across so many areas of acoustics, noise, policy and economics at the NN+ general assembly event. I think some of the main takeaways are that we need to have more engagement with the general public and government; there were calls for additional working groups in EDI, biodiversity, and novel noise sources; the key factors that will make or break our goal in reducing the harmful effects and cost to the UK of harmful noise & pollution are legislation and economics — we need to use the law as a tool to enforce mandates and benchmarks that will see a reduction in noise, particularly with a focus on underrepresented and disenfranchised demographics who experience the worst cases of noise, and to find ways to generate money that can fund new technologies. I am very fortunate to be supported by Defra and play a small part in tackling this for the benefit of current and future populations.”
His comments echoed a recurring theme throughout the assembly: the need for stronger public engagement, clearer policy pathways, and targeted investment to support innovation in noise mitigation.
Strengthening collaboration across the UK
The event also showcased the breadth of expertise within the Noise Network Plus, CDT management team, CDT students, and project partners from multiple universities and research centres contributing to discussions. Their involvement reflects the CDT’s growing role in shaping national conversations around sound, noise, and environmental wellbeing