Essex evaluates Internet of Things technology for South London Partnership

A team of academic researchers led by Professor Gina Yannitell Reinhardt, from the Department of Government, has been commissioned to provide formative evaluation services for the InnOvaTe Programme, a project spanning 5 South London boroughs.

Professor Reinhardt is an evaluation expert who has worked with governments, policy practitioners and scholars around the world assessing the value and impact of projects in the spheres of local government, health, and disaster recovery.

The review of the InnOvaTe Programme will cover a range of ongoing sensor trials, from fly-tipping prevention to flood monitoring and the safeguarding of vulnerable residents living in supported housing.

The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, all collecting and sharing data.

The team will be assessing the behavioural aspects of the technology to determine its effectiveness in helping to tackle issues which affect residents and businesses in the South London boroughs.

Professor Yannitell Reinhardt, said: “We are delighted to be joining the South London Partnership to evaluate this ambitious and innovative cross-borough programme.

“Our researchers will work with the programme managers, service leads and champions, and IoT sensor providers in order to review the data that is being collected, analyse how it is being interpreted, and determine the extent to which it is being used to provide an evidence base for service improvements and new initiatives.”

David Grasty, Corporate Head of Digital Strategy at Sutton and Kingston Councils, said: “We are constantly looking at ways to improve the quality and effectiveness of the services we provide, so this is a fantastic opportunity to have an impartial expert assess the work we are doing with the InnOvaTe Programme and to give feedback on how things are going and how things could be changed for future trials.

“It’s the start of an exciting relationship and we are very pleased to be working with the University of Essex.”