Noise Network Plus

Webinar: Neglected Pollutants 3 years on: The effects of noise on human health

Aisling Cooling — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:19:17 +0000

This event will be taking place on: Tuesday 6th July at 5:00pm – 6:30pm and has been organised by the IES, the Institute of Acoustics (IOA), and the UK Noise Association. You can download the agenda at the end of this event page.

Background

At the beginning of 2023, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee launched an Inquiry into the effects of artificial light and noise on human health. The intention was to explore the strength of the evidence for claims made about their effects on human health, the adequacy of the existing policy and regulatory framework for addressing light and noise pollution in the UK, and options for reform to address any harmful effects identified.

The committee received written evidence from a wide range of professional and other bodies, including the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and the UK Noise Association. In addition, several organisations were invited to give oral evidence to the Committee and this included the IOA and UKNA.

The Committee published its report on the 19th July 2023, entitled “The Neglected Pollutants” with a range of recommendations. These included:

Defra should work with the UK Health Security Agency and other organisations to assess the significant, growing evidence on the health effects of noise;
An interdisciplinary, independent advisory panel should be established to provide independent advice to the Government [regarding noise] and a forum for new evidence, particularly on emerging health effects and technologies, to be assessed; and
The Government should collect data to determine whether planning authorities and other relevant parties are making use of the Noise Policy Statement for England.

The Government responded in December 2023 but there were no commitments made regarding implementing any of the Committee’s recommendations. It is now nearly 3 years since the publication of the report and still nothing has happened. In fact, a recent Parliamentary Question asked:

“Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans do the Government have to implement the recommendations of the 2023 House of Lords report on noise”

It was asked in conjunction with a general question regarding noise management. The Government answered the second question to some extent but did not mention their response to the House of Lords report.

Event aims

This meeting will provide an opportunity to re-visit the Select Committee’s report with presentations from Lord Krebbs, who sat on the Committee, and speakers on behalf of the IOA and UKNA, both of whom gave oral evidence.

Many people and organisations put a lot of work into providing evidence for the Committee. It is hoped that this meeting will act as a catalyst for some action so that all that effort is not wasted and the report does not just gather dust.

You can download the event agenda at the end of this page.

Our chair

Stephen Turner is an Independent Acoustics Consultant at Stephen Turner Acoustics Limited. He has been working in the field of acoustics and noise control for nearly 49 years in a career which has spanned both the public and private sector. He was a technical adviser to noise policy officials at the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for over 15 years, including 4 years as a civil servant, during which time he was closely involved in the development and implementation of noise management policy in England. He is an Honorary Fellow and a former President of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA), a Vice-President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, an individual member of the European Commission’s Noise Expert Group, and was formerly Chair of the British Standards Committee that deals with transportation noise. Stephen gave oral evidence to the House of Lords Committee on behalf of the IOA.

Our speakers

Professor Lord Krebs is a cross bench member of the House of Lords and Emeritus Professor of Biology at the University of Oxford. He has served both as Chair and as a Member of the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee and was a member during the inquiry into noise and light pollution. In addition to his academic career, Lord Krebs has held several leadership positions including Chair of the Food Standards Agency, Chief Executive of the Natural Environment Research Council, and Chair of the Adaptation Committee of the Committee on Climate Change.

John Stewart is an award-winning noise campaigner who chairs the UK Noise Association and has lobbied on the issue of noise for the last 30 years. John has chaired several campaign groups, including ALARM London and then ALARM UK which successfully defeated damaging road proposals; RoadPeace, the road victim charity; and the Campaign for Better Transport. For 20 years, John also advocated for residents under the Heathrow flight paths as the chair of HACAN. He is the author of a number of publications, including the book Why Noise Matters.

Peter Rogers is a Fellow of the Institute of Acoustics, with has over 30 years as a consultant and ex local authority officer to drawn on when providing expert witness testimony, with his original degree in Physics and Medical Physics. He now owns and runs Sustainable Acoustics Ltd providing acoustic expertise in environmental and building acoustics as a carbon neutral service and B Corporation accredited. He gave evidence to the select committee as one of the two Institute of Acoustics representatives, along with Stephen Turner. He now chairs the groups on Air Source Heat Pump noise, Parliamentary liaison and Sustainability for the Institute.

Download the Agenda

Event Type

Webinar

Organiser

IES, IOA and UKNA

Location

Online

Tickets

Free and open to all.

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Noise Network Plus Webinar: Episode 2 – Environmental noise in Europe 2025 – What the latest EU noise data tells us

Aisling Cooling — Tue, 26 May 2026 10:42:07 +0000

Noise Network Plus Webinar: Episode 2 – Environmental noise in Europe 2025 – What the latest EU noise data tells us

The presentation will showcase and discuss the latest European Environment Agency report, Environmental Noise in Europe 2025, which highlights the urgent need for stronger action to reduce environmental noise and its impacts on human health, the environment, and the economy.

Transport noise pollution is one of the most widespread environmental health risks in Europe, with over 20% of the population exposed to harmful levels from road, rail, and air traffic, a figure that could rise to 30% if WHO noise thresholds would be taken into account. As a result, many people develop health conditions linked to long-term noise exposure. The report estimates that each year, in the EU, noise contributes to more than 70,000 premature deaths, around 50,000 new cases of cardiovascular disease, and 23,000 cases of type 2 diabetes. Children are also affected, with evidence linking noise to impaired cognitive development, behavioural problems and an increased risk of overweight. Overall, transport noise accounts for around 1.5 million healthy life years lost annually and an economic cost of approximately €100 billion.

Despite EU targets to reduce noise, progress remains limited. The talk will explore key challenges and potential solutions.

Meet the Speaker

Eulalia Peris

Eulalia Peris is an environmental noise expert at the European Environment Agency (EEA) with over 15 years of experience. She manages noise data within the European Environment Information and Observation Network (EIONET), involving contributions from 32 countries. She is the lead author of the EEA’s Environmental Noise in Europe reports (2020 and 2025), providing comprehensive assessments of noise pollution and its impacts on health and the environment. Her work bridges science and policy, focusing on health impacts and supporting noise-related policies. Eulalia holds a PhD in Acoustics from the University of Salford and has worked in research and public health roles.

Thu, 21 May 2026 13:00 – 14:00 (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Watch the webinar here:

https://youtu.be/ZlnF34kS4pQ

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Acoustics 2026 – Call for papers

Aisling Cooling — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:48:59 +0000

Institute of Acoustics Annual Conference, Exhibition and Dinner

CALL FOR PAPERS – DEADLINE EXTENDED

You are encouraged to submit an abstract maximum 250 words on any of the following or related topics, please indicate which group session it is intended for and whether you prefer oral or poster presentation.

Please include title, author(s) and affiliations(s) and submit your abstract by email to sheema.ali@ioa.org.uk by Friday 05 June 2026. Authors will be notified of acceptance in June 2026.

Full papers will be required by Monday 17 August 2026. All oral and poster presenters will be invited to submit a paper for the proceedings.

The full call for papers can be found here

SUNDAY SOCIAL 13 SEPTEMBER

Early Careers and Eastern Branch Social

Delta Hotels By Marriott Peterborough (conference hotel)

CONFERENCE DINNER

Delta Hotels By Marriott Peterborough (conference hotel)

Monday 14 September

19:00 Drinks Reception at Conference Hotel
20:00 Dinner at Conference Hotel

ACCOMODATION

Negotiated delegate rates with conference hotel. Rate is open until 15th August 2026

Book your group rate for Acoustics Conference 2026

EXHIBITION

The exhibition will form an integral part of the conference making networking easy and providing you with access to all attendees.

To ensure maximum exposure for you all refreshments breaks will be held in the exhibition area. The Exhibition will be open on both days.

Set up and set down information

Sunday 13 September 2026

Set up can take place anytime from 13:00- 19:00

Monday 14 September 2026

Set up can take place from 07:30 before registration at 08:30

Included in the cost:

1 x 6ft Table, L183cm x W76 cm, tablecloth (if needed), chairs and access to power.

The fee includes 1 person attending the conference and includes lunch, refreshments and the conference dinner.

Any colleagues should register as a delegate at the Sponsors/Exhibitors rate

The exhibition is taking place in two areas this year. The Emperors Suite and Senses Lounge.

You can view both spaces via the virtual tour:

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=MiTsnkLdWVB

Exhibition Floor Plan

Booked stands are noted below

Acoustics 2026 Exhibitors

Stand 1 – AcSoft

Stand 4 – CDM Stravitec

Stand 6 – Christie and Grey

Stand 11 – Campbell Associates

Stand 12 – AMC Mecanocaucho

Stand 25 – Mason U.K

The exhibtion space is bookable via the registration form

VENUE INFORMATION

About Peterborough

For more information on Peterborough as a destination please log onto https://discoverpeterborough.co.uk/ ; here you will discover all things to do in Peterborough

Registration

Late/onsite registrations cannot be guaranteed catering.

If you need help with registration please email sheema.ali@ioa.org.uk

Sign-up for event

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NNP sponsors Micro-Acoustics and Noise Symposium

Helen — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:50:36 +0000

Friday 22nd May 2026 | Newcastle

The Noise Network Plus are pleased to be sponsoring the Micro-Acoustics and Noise Symposium hosted by Northumbria University. This symposium aims to explore the latest advances in key areas of acoustics, sensors, acoustofluidics, ultrasonics, vibration, noise. It also aims to discuss the grand noise challenges in the UK, with a focus on potential opportunities and solutions facilitated by micro-acoustic sensors/actuators and other innovative technologies. The applications will be focused on engineering, healthcare, and sustainability, with participants and audience from academics, researchers, students, industry and other stakeholders. Sessions will include keynote talks, technical presentations and demonstrations, and poster sessions, with great opportunities for networking and collaboration, as well as practical experience.

For more details and to register please see the event page.

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Noise Network Plus General Assembly

Helen — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:30:00 +0000

Tuesday 31 March 2026 | Manchester

The Noise Network Plus General Assembly took place in Manchester on Tuesday 31 March 2026.

This was a key opportunity for members to help shape the Network’s missions and future delivery, building on the insights gathered through our extensive horizon scanning exercise.

If you are not a member already, please sign up here via our mailing list and join us!

The General Assembly brought Network members together to:

- Share an update on progress to date, including announcements of projects funded through the first Network call

- Review the findings of our collective horizon scanning exercise

- Discuss the development of the Network’s missions and agree next steps

Talk on Mission Development by James Plunkett

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Webinar: Sustainable Aviation Noise Roadmap

Helen — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:08:00 +0000

Thursday 19th March | Online

This session will focus on the Sustainable Aviation Noise Roadmap, and what Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is doing to facilitate a positive relationship with our local airport communities on noise through community engagement.

The Sustainable Aviation Noise Roadmap sets out the collective efforts of the UK’s aviation industry to minimise noise impacts, including:

Optimising flight paths
Managing descent profiles
Sharing operational best practice
Supporting the continued development of new technology so that noise gains can continue in the long term

It also highlights the vital role that mitigations on the ground will play to support local communities, and the ongoing importance of managing factors outside of industry’s control — not least the growth of housing under flight paths.

At Manchester Airports Group, our three airports each have very different and unique operational characteristics. How we facilitate effective communication and maintain positive relationships with our local communities on noise and airport operations is tailored specifically to each airport:

Manchester Airport
London Stansted Airport
East Midlands Airport

Meet the Speakers

Danielle Marvin

Flight Evaluation Advisor, Manchester Airports Group

Danielle monitors and reports on noise performance across all three MAG airports and supports community engagement on noise. She is Chair of the Sustainable Aviation Quieter Group, leading development of the UK aviation industry’s position on aircraft noise.

Previously, she worked at Airbus in Environmental Marketing and contributed to environmental certification standards through working groups at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Sue Thomas

Head of Noise and Community Engagement Strategy, Manchester Airports Group

Sue leads noise management and community engagement strategy across MAG’s three airports.

Her previous experience includes serving as Noise Lead for the Thames Tideway and managing the Noise & Health workstream at Heathrow Airport during the third runway project (pre-2020).

Since joining MAG in January 2025, Sue has focused on balancing operational needs with long-term community wellbeing.

Who Should Attend?

Aviation and airport professionals
Environmental and sustainability specialists
Community engagement practitioners
Local authority representatives
Policy and regulatory stakeholders
Members of the Noise Network Plus and others with a professional or research interest in noise

Secure your place to gain insight into how industry collaboration and community engagement are shaping the future of aviation noise management.

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Lecture: Engineering a Quieter Future

Helen — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:34:00 +0000

Thursday 5th March 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm | Salford

Join us for the Inaugural Professorial Lecture of Professor Antonio Torija Martinez

This lecture will take you on Antonio’s journey to becoming a leading voice in acoustics and why noise pollution matters more than we think. Noise isn’t just an annoyance—it is a frequently neglected pollutant with profound impacts on health, society, and the environment.

We are about to experience the biggest shift in soundscapes in living memory, driven by the transition to electric vehicles and the decarbonisation of heating and cooling. These changes bring new noise challenges—but also exciting opportunities to create healthier, more sustainable environments. Antonio will share how his research puts people at the heart of decision-making, using an innovative perception-driven approach to embed noise solutions into engineering design and policy.

This is an outstanding opportunity to hear directly from one of the world-leading experts in acoustics about how his research is transforming the way noise is managed, creating healthier, more sustainable soundscapes for the future.

Professor Antonio Torija Martinez – Biography

Prof. Antonio J. Torija Martinez is a world-leading expert in environmental acoustics and pioneer of Perception-Driven Engineering, placing human noise perception at the centre of design for sustainable mobility and decarbonisation. His expertise has earned him international recognition and invitations such as providing evidence to the UK House of Lords on noise and health. He has led major EU, UKRI, and industry-funded projects, following a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship, and received multiple awards for excellence in acoustics. Widely published in top journals including Nature and Scientific Reports, he contributes to key international groups on aircraft and UAS noise (NASA, NATO, ISO, IEA). He serves as the UK’s Responsible National Expert on heat pump acoustics and chairs the Quiet Drones international conference series, being recognised as the world’s most influential author on drone noise.

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NNP leads quoted in Ingenia article “Turning down the noise: the battle against noise pollution”

Helen — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:46:45 +0000

Prof Abigail Bristow and Prof Antonio José Torija Martínez are quoted in the recent Ingenia article, “Turning down the noise: the battle against noise pollution” Royal Academy of Engineering (Issue 105).

The article explores the growing impact of noise pollution on health, wellbeing and communities, and examines how engineering, planning and policy can work together to address a challenge that is too often underestimated.

From transport and infrastructure to urban development, the piece highlights how poorly managed noise can contribute to stress, sleep disturbance and long-term health effects — reinforcing the importance of considering sound and noise early and throughout the design process.

This thinking sits at the heart of Noise Network’s work. By bringing together engineers, researchers, policymakers and practitioners, the network supports better understanding, collaboration and innovation to help create quieter, healthier and more sustainable environments.

You can read the full article here

High-speed trains can cause significant aerodynamic noise. HS2, the new rail link being built between Birmingham and London, is employing a noise reduction scheme to ensure sound is at a minimum both during construction and operation © HS2

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AI Education at Oxford University

admin — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 19:39:20 +0000

Our Co-Lead, Simone Graetzer, Chair of the Education, Outreach and Skills working group, represented the Network and the Institute of Acoustics at the recent AI in Education at Oxford University hashtag#AIEOU2025 inaugural convening. This was an opportunity to share and learn about best practice across disciplines and stages of education.

I’ve just returned to Manchester from the inaugural AI in Education at Oxford University hashtag#AIEOU hashtag#AIEOU2025 convening at the University of Oxford.

Thank you to Sara R., Rebecca Williams, Clare Jarmy, Simone Ries, Vanessa Mar-Molinero, Dr. Birgit Phillips, Edward Longhurst and everyone else who welcomed me so warmly to the AIEOU community. This is a very important discussion. I particularly appreciated the philosophical, legal and primary and secondary education-related insights into the regulation debate. I look forward to participating again.

I spoke about the application of AI and ML to acoustics and cutting edge educational practice in higher education. It was a privilege to represent the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and the Noise Network Plus as Education, Outreach and Skills Working Group Chair.

At the IOA, the Executive Director of Education and Digital Strategy, Mary-Jane Newton, and I are continuing to gather case studies of innovative use of AI in Acoustics Education. Please contact me here or via email if you would like to share your activity.

Congratulations to Sara, Rebecca, Elizabeth Wonnacott and Dongxia Nie, Oxford University Press and the other members of the AIEOU community for a highly collaborative and productive event, where the welfare of the student was the priority. Thanks to the wonderful Clare Jarmy for the photograph.

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Launch of UK Acoustics Sound Economics Report 2025

admin — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 19:39:20 +0000

Tuesday 7th October 2025 | London

On 7th October 2025, several members of the Noise Network Plus Executive Board attended the launch of the UK Acoustics Sound Economics Report 2025 at Prince Philip House, London. The event was organised by The UK Acoustics Network Plus (UKAN+) and featured contributions from Professors Kirill Horoshenkov and Richard Craster, John Lincoln, Joanna Watts, and Abigail Bristow. We are proud to have contributed to producing the report, together with UKAN+, the Institute of Acoustics and the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC). Many thanks to everyone involved.

This report provides evidence of the growing economic and societal importance of acoustics as an enabling technology that underpins many sectors central to the UK’s prosperity, including healthcare, defence, energy, and construction and the built environment. In 2025, the UK acoustics industry produced goods and services worth £5.2 billion and employed 20,000 people across over 780 companies.

The report provides five recommendations:
1. Support a leadership body to convene industry, government and academia to spread awareness of industrial demand and advances in acoustics.
2. Work with the Department for Business and Trade to increase international awareness of UK acoustics capability as a national asset.
3. Conduct a review of UK acoustics capital infrastructure and access to key resources vital for expansion, e.g., in AI and machine learning.
4. Develop stronger collaboration between the professional bodies to which acoustics professionals affiliate, e.g., Institute of Acoustics, Institute of Physics, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Audio Engineering Society, to ensure that acoustics is entrenched in design.
5. Provide broader opportunities for up-skilling of the acoustics workforce across all career stages and education levels.

You can read the report in full here: https://lnkd.in/e8GRqiDV.
The original 2019 report is available here: https://lnkd.in/eQV5YF2U.

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