Sharing Futures

Dr. John Horton is one of the partners in an exciting new project – ‘Sharing Futures’ (or, in Portuguese, ‘Partilhandø Futurøs’!) – funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. This project will bring together Brazilian Engineering Scientists and British Human Geographers to share expertise, develop learning/teaching resources and trial innovative research methods.

Dr John Horton welcoming people to the Sharing Futures summer school

An exciting programme of activities is planned for 2015-16. For example, on 24-26^th August, John helped to co-organise a three day summer school at University of Birmingham. The event brought together 25 international researchers interested in interdisciplinary and multigenerational approaches to sustainable urbanism. Delegates enjoyed presentations by leading thinkers and practitioners in this field, and engaged in some really productive and interesting discussions. Skype networking and presentations enabled delegates to engage with cutting edge research ongoing in São Paulo.

Delegates also went on a field trip to see examples of sustainable urban development in Northampton and Milton Keynes. At Upton Meadows, Dr. Janet Jackson gave a fascinating tour along the Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS), while Henk van Aswegen of MK Discovery Centre provided a wealth of information about Milton Keynes’s eco-houses, landscapes, urban extensions, roundabouts and concrete cows!

Dr Janet Jackson explains about sustainable urban drainage systems and biodiversity in Upton

Attendees of the summer school, at the end of the tour of Upton

For more information about the ‘Sharing Futures’ programme, see: http://www.sharing-futures.com/

Academic invited to sit on European Commission's Waste Management Technical Working Group

Dr Terry Tudor, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Science and Technology has been invited to be one of the experts on the European Commission’s (EC) Waste Management Technical Working Group.
 

Dr Terry Tudor

The Group, which will sit within the EC’s Joint Research Centre, will develop an Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) document for the waste management sector in the EU. The initial meeting will take place in Leuven, Belgium at the end of September 2015. It is anticipated that the document should be ready by the end of 2016.

Professor visits Zambia to develop schemes to deal with electronic waste

Professor Margaret Bates recently visited Zambia, representing the International Solid Waste Association as an expert in the field of electronic waste ('e waste').

Margaret toured a range of waste sites in Choma looking at dumping and burning.  Working with other European experts and colleagues in Choma, Margaret used the information collected to help develop a master plan to deal with e waste in the district.

At the end of the successful visit Margaret took the chance to visit the Victoria Falls and a national park.

Victoria Falls

Wildlife at the national park

Margaret has a busy few months ahead.  She will be visiting Brazil, Uganda and the Ivory Coast to provide expert advice on other waste management issues.

Professor blogs about biodiversity

When lecturers aren't teaching, they spend time writing and researching.  Prof Jeff Ollerton writes a regular blog about biodiversity, in addition to academic books and papers.

Prof Jeff Ollerton

In July, for example, Jeff wrote a daily blog post throughout Pollinator Awareness Week, as well as reflecting on his work on the BBC television series 'Plant Odyssey'.

Opportunities at the University of Brescia, Italy

Dr Terry Tudor, a senior lecturer in wastes management within the Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, recently spent a month as a visiting professor at the University of Brescia. Brescia is located in northern Italy, in the Lombardy region.

Brescia, northern Italy

During his time there, Dr Tudor delivered seminars on environmental management, led a one day session during the summer school, as well as undertaking research and supervision of various undergraduate and postgraduate students. In late Autumn, Prof Mentore Vaccari will be visiting the University of Northampton to deliver lectures and seminars on waste management and contaminated land.

Over the past two years, there has been a strong link built between the two institutions in the area of environmental management, in terms of teaching and learning activities, as well as research. As a result of this collaboration, there are good opportunities for students to visit the University of Brescia (e.g. through Erasmus), to either to undertake study, or research.

For more information about the collaboration or opportunities, please contact Dr Terry Tudor terry.tudor@northampton.ac.uk