Biomimetics is an area of study that uses nature’s models and systems to inspire new sustainable innovations to solve human problems. To date, biomimetic models have been used in design engineering for the development of new materials and products and biomimetics has remained predominantly a STEM-based research area.  So far, very little research has been undertaken to explore how these innovations go on to shape society through human innovation, use and application, and even less has looked at such impacts through an inclusive lens that identifies beneficiaries and societal and organisational impacts. To the best of our knowledge, no previous research initiatives have explored how learning from and adapting to nature-inspired and human-altered processes and designs shape human behaviours and societal futures.

Thematic research and future interest areas of the UoH Biomimetic Societal Futures research centre, with representation from all academic schools, include:

• neuroscience & intelligent systems
• viral/microbial systems and DNA
• comparative agency
• product design
• cognition and behaviour
• impact, engagement, education and outreach