Warning Systems

Pandemics

1/5/26 • 2 min read

I’m sure the world is exhausted by the mere mention of the word ‘pandemic’ but recent academic trajectories have sent me revisiting this topic. I’ve encountered some insight and interesting podcasts which are worth your time.

’When Science Finds a Way’ and ‘Off Script’ podcasts provide case studies on predictive insights and the role of therapeutics as part of preparedness.

When Science Finds a Way

Hosted by Alisha Wainwright and produced by Wellcome, this science-focused podcast explores how scientific research and innovation are being applied to tackle urgent global health challenges. It features case studies showing predictive insights in action, for example: how early-warning and prediction tools that integrate health and climate data are being used to anticipate outbreaks (such as dengue and Zika) and support community responses before diseases spread. Interviews with scientists, public health authorities and communities highlight the translation of data into practical preparedness measures, demonstrating how predictive models and local collaboration can improve outbreak readiness and resilience.

Off Script

A limited-series podcast from the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics (Peter Doherty Institute) focused on the role of therapeutics in pandemic preparedness. Across its episodes, experts including WHO figures, health economists, policymakers and scientists discuss why therapeutics (drugs that treat disease after infection) are a critical complement to vaccines in a future health emergency. Themes include: the gap in investment and development timelines for therapeutics exposed by COVID-19; how platform technologies like mRNA could accelerate treatment responses; the importance of equitable access and global health equity; and how ready-to-deploy therapeutics could reduce hospital pressure, help keep societies functioning and shape more nuanced policy responses in future pandemics.

Icon Design & Visual Literacy

1/1/26 • 1 min read

You may not know Jon Hicks but you’ve likely seen his work as the graphic designer of Firefox, MailChimp and Shopify logos.

In 2012, he published a book entitled ‘The Icon Handbook’ - it’s a great primer and culimination of two years of work and guides you through the process of designing icons - from identifying an appropriate metaphor to drawing symbols through to the practicalities of implementation. Best of all, he is providing it free of charge on the basis that quite a lot of the content has aged although that does not apply to many of the foundational principles.

Even if you’re not interested in creating your own icons, the chapters on history, metaphor and use are valuable and accessible to a non-design audience.

Warning systems rely on icons to overcome language barriers and issues with translation so understanding the design process can only inform better briefs and more effective design.

Google DeepMind - AI Hurricane Forecasting

12/1/25 • 1 min read

Artificial intelligence has been used in weather forecast models for some time. Google’s DeepMind, though, marks a significant step forward, one that suggests AI may soon overtake the physics-based models meteorologists have long relied on.

via NPR: As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season ends, the future of forecasting is AI

_There were 13 named storms and three Category 5 hurricanes. But, for the first time in a decade, a hurricane did not make landfall in the U.S.

The season’s most destructive hurricane, Melissa, was one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever. It slammed Jamaica with 185 mph winds, devastating communities and killing dozens of people.

A week before the hurricane made landfall, however, forecast models disagreed on where it would go. One model that got it right — accurately predicting Melissa’s path and its Category 5 intensity — was a new one: Google’s DeepMind AI-based hurricane model._

As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season ends, the future of forecasting is AI