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Sensing the luminous night: Innovations in capturing and communicating observations of light pollution in an area of natural beauty

Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)

Rupert Griffiths (Recipient)

The increasing presence of artificial light at night (ALAN) in rural areas, such as the Arnside and Silverdale area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), Cumbria, threatens the visual and ecological sanctity of nocturnal landscapes. This collaborative research initiative between Dr Rupert Griffiths, LICA, and the AONB Partnership aims to address ALAN by developing innovative, unattended monitoring methodologies and fostering a community-centric behavioral shift in awareness regarding lighting practices. The project developed novel monitoring methods, integrating creative practices that enhance public engagement and make legible the temporal rhythms of natural and artificial light over days, months, and years. The project included the installation of a low-power long-range wide area network (LoRaWAN) and an all-sky camera for continuous data collection and sky quality documentation. Additionally, field studies and night walks were orchestrated, utilizing the sensors as way markers to foster discussions around ALAN and its implications. These sensors, modeled as fruits, eggs, and nests, serve as both data collection devices and material artifacts for public engagement, embodying a geopoetic approach to environmental interaction. Anticipated outputs include a scholarly article and a publicly accessible sensor network, supporting the AONB's endeavors to mitigate ALAN and supporting efforts to obtain International Dark-sky Community status. The project pioneers a multidisciplinary field, bringing together design, cultural geography, art, technology, and the environmental humanities to engage individuals and communities in understanding and mitigating anthropogenic impacts on nocturnal environments.
Awarded date1/11/2021
Granting OrganisationsThe Joy Welch Charitable Trust