New programme builds on sustainability research
Monday, 23 January 2012
Over 30 academics took part in an interactive multi-disciplinary workshop on sustainability in the built environment
'The workshop was a great success, offering an opportunity for researchers working in similar areas across different disciplines to share their knowledge and ideas on this crucially important topic'
A new initiative is seeking to bring together academics from across the University with research interests relating to sustainability in the built environment. The objective is to showcase the University's breadth of activity in this high profile area with a view to increasing funding and collaboration opportunities.
To build up an overall picture of the work going on, Kendra Gittus, Head of Strategic Programmes, Research and Enterprise and Stephanie Weller, Research Manager at the School of Construction Management and Engineering, collated information and discovered a wealth of research activity ‘hot spots' from across the University.
Drawing on the University's existing research portfolio, six clusters of research activity have been identified. An interactive multi-disciplinary workshop with over 30 academics from across the University, was held in the newly opened Innovation Centre in the Science and Technology Centre, Whiteknights, to consolidate current research capability and identify future directions.
Professor Stuart Green, Head of Construction Management and Engineering, who chaired the event, said: "The workshop was a great success, offering an opportunity for researchers working in similar areas across different disciplines to share their knowledge and ideas on this crucially important topic. Ultimately, we hope to stimulate research funding and raise the profile of the University's expertise to funders, industry, policy-makers and other interested parties."
Promotional materials and a website are being developed to support the programme, to be known as Sustainability in the Built Environment (SBE).
The six research themes are:
- Urban green infrastructure
- Designing for resilience
- Energy supply systems
- Sustainable behaviours within the community
- Promoting sustainable practices within organisations
- Planning for sustainability.
If you feel your research could contribute to the programme or to find out more, please contact Kendra on extension 6160, email k.l.gittus@reading.ac.uk or Stephanie on 8587, email s.j.weller@reading.ac.uk