Yorkshire & Humber Office for Data Analytics (YHODA)

News

Students Take on Sustainability Challenge with Data at University of Sheffield Hackathon

16 May 2025

The Yorkshire & Humber Office for Data Analytics (YHODA) - one of the YPIP’s work packages focused on tackling regional data challenges - recently played a role in the Data and Design Hackathon 2025, hosted at the University of Sheffield and organised by a multidisciplinary team based at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

During the event, held between 7–11 April, the YHODA team asked the brilliant students at the University of Sheffield to tackle two regional data challenges: “Predicting which local authorities are on track to reach Net Zero based on their historical emissions” and “Identifying emission patterns across local authorities and how they relate to key economic indicators”. These questions reflect YHODA's aim to support evidence-based policymaking via the creation of a regional data hub called the Yorkshire Engagement Portal (YEP), which is launching this June.

Two teams emerged as winners for the YHODA challenge. Team EcoLogic impressed judges with their dynamic forecasting tool for gas emissions and found that North Lincolnshire, Hull, and Leeds are the most likely to reach Net Zero by 2050. The team made some practical recommendations to help local authorities move toward Net Zero targets, such as investing in low-carbon public transport and industrial decarbonisation. Team Rubik’s Cube built a “Growth vs. Green” dashboard that merged business activity and GVA data with CO₂ emissions. By clustering similar local authorities, they revealed where economic strength aligns with higher pollution, which can empower local authorities to spot opportunities for boosting growth while reducing emissions.

As part of YPIP, YHODA benefits from strong partnerships with regional stakeholders, notably the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) who sponsored their own transport-focused challenges and prizes for the event. The event was funded by the University’s Campaigns and Alumni Relations team and further sponsored by Sheffield Technology Parks with dissemination support from Sheffield Digital.

Award Details

Ethical Innovation Award - Rubik’s Cube (Shristi Adhikari, Areez Muhammed, Kulisara Kittivibul, Seadon Rodrigues, Aparna Swaminathan)
Most Creative Solution Towards a Sustainable Future - EcoLogic (Janhavi Pawar, Muhamad Irfan Bin Muhd Ramiza, Silu Yu, Jie Cai, Shixiong Xu)