[divider]Background: The RDM|RSC network aims to study the potential impact of re-distributed manufacturing at the scale of the city and its hinterland, using Bristol as an example, concentrating on the issues of resilience and sustainability. The network will study these issues from a number of disciplinary perspectives, bringing together experts in manufacturing, design, logistics, operations management, infrastructure, engineering systems, economics, geographical sciences, mathematical modelling and beyond. The network will also explore research mechanisms by which interdisciplinary teams may come together to address societal grand challenges and develop research agendas for their solutions.
The Network held a launch event on 22nd April 2015, at The Systems Centre, University of Bristol. This event introduced the RDM|RSC network, initiated discussion on the key issues for the research agenda and provided the groundwork for building a community of people with a shared interest in redistributed manufacturing and the region.