Client: REAL Research Hub
Date: Ongoing, since 2020
Project Team: Théa Allary, Consultant & Lucy Hopwood, Director and Principal Consultant
Background – As waste management and valorisation strategies are fast becoming priorities across the UK and throughout the rest of the world, interest in anaerobic digestion and composting has been on the rise. This has outlined and reinforced the need for effective knowledge sharing and collaborative work.
Objective – In 2020, Alder was commissioned by the REAL Research Hub to create a digital Library focussing on Anaerobic Digestion and Composting. The online repository was built to incorporate scientific literature as well as key policy and industrial documents. Additionally, tailored content was created by Alder to provide introductory knowledge of AD and composting, alongside insights into recent technological developments, current obstacles and potential future directions.
Our Approach – To begin populating the Library, the Alder team first focussed on developing a categorisation system for each of the two main sectors of focus (AD and Composting). This then allowed the team to create Thematic Summaries for each of the categories, introducing key aspects of the two sectors and providing sub-sections in which scientific literature could be classified when added to the platform. New scientific papers from journals around the world are added to these categories on a monthly basis. Additionally, a Documents section was also created, providing a dedicated area for key policy, methodological and industrial publications which could further enrich the wealth of knowledge being gathered.
Working in collaboration with a website designer, the framework of the Library was designed to allow for multiple formats of information and to facilitate user experience when navigating through the platform. Several search options were built-in (including through keywords, authors, and categories) to allow account holders to find relevant information, and to identify any gaps in the literature currently gathered within the Library.
Since the launch of the platform in February 2020, monthly updates have been performed to collect key users analytics and to continuously add relevant content based on identified research gaps and new insightful studies. A full report is also produced on a quarterly basis to track progress. Finally, Thematic Summaries are updated on an annual basis as appropriate and based on the new literature added to the Library.
Outcomes & Benefits – Over the past five years, Alder has built a rich, varied and well-informed repository for the study and practiced of anaerobic digestion and composting, and for the valorisation of organic materials, and organic waste in particular. The Library was designed in a way that creates a cohesive narrative, giving a well-rounded perspective of the sectors and facilitating the use of the Library for visitors. User collaboration is also fostered through interactive features, helping the Alder team keep the Library relevant, in touch with the latest advances and aligned with user needs.