NU Ideas | Season 4 Talk 4 | Invisible Wireless Web & Hidden in Plain Sight

Thursday 19th February 2026 | 6pm

NU Ideas | Season 4 Talk 4

A series of talks in partnership with Northumbria University

Living in the Wireless Web of Invisible Currents

A talk by Aqsa Arshad, Senior Research Fellow

Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering

Research area: Nanoscience and technology, currently working on developing the electromagnetic shields to reduce the electromagnetic interference.

We live immersed in a sea of invisible energy. Invisible yet ever-present, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from our gadgets quietly shape our lives. From students and teens with Bluetooth headphones on for hours, to Wi-Fi routers on our nightstands, expecting mothers browsing on smartphones by the belly, baby monitors by the crib —modern life is saturated in wireless energy. Everyday devices flood our homes with EMFs. While these silent signals driving modern convenience, could be disrupting more than we realize? Emerging research hints at subtle effects on sleep patterns, melatonin balance, and even developing fetal systems.

This talk unpacks the science and myths around everyday electromagnetic radiation. We’ll explore common household and medical sources. We’ll map out everyday exposure—from Wi-Fi routers and smart wearables to hospital scanners—and see how these levels stack up against international safety guidelines. Most importantly, we’ll explore simple, practical ways to safeguard sleep quality and reduce risk, without abandoning our digital lifestyles. We’ll discover why distance still matters more than we might think.

Join us for an enlightening, jargon-free tour through the hidden currents shaping our health. Walk away with clear, balanced and actionable insights, that empower you to live wisely in our wireless world.

Hidden in Plain Sight: How the toxic metal lead continues to poison our Communities and what we can do about it’

A talk by Dr Jane A Entwistle, Professor of Environmental Geochemistry and Health,

(Interim) Pro-Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Engineering and Environment

Lead contamination, often from decades-old sources, continues to threaten public health across communities, particularly affecting children and families in older neighbourhoods. Despite being banned in household paint since 1978 and largely phased out of plumbing, lead persists in millions of UK homes through deteriorating paint, contaminated dust, imported products, industry and aging water infrastructure.

This presentation explores how legacy lead contamination disproportionately impacts low-income communities leading to lasting health disparities. Children exposed to even small amounts of lead face developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems that follow them throughout life.

However, proven intervention strategies offer hope. From targeted home remediation programs to innovative detection technologies and community-based prevention initiatives, we can systematically address this preventable crisis. We showcase a multi-agency research collaboration recently launched in Leeds and highlight how co-ordinated efforts between public health agencies, community organizations, and residents can help to reduce exposure levels.

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