University launches Living Lab to help tackle sustainability issues in the local community

A project which connects researchers to members of the local community in a bid to address and tackle sustainability issues has been launched by the University of Northampton, which will further strengthen its commitment to social impact and being a Changemaker Campus.

The Living Lab is a virtual space in which partnerships of researchers, students, external partners, and communities, collaborate to test new technologies, services, products or systems in real-life contexts, with the aim of improving community or environmental outcomes.

It will focus on sustainability across all four of the University's Changemaker Challenges and will develop new relationships, connections and ways of working. It will also provide a framework in which the University can scale its social impact and ensure that local communities are at the heart of its efforts to overcome particular issues that may arise.

Dr Joanna Wright, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography and Environmental Science, who is leading on the Living Lab, commented "Living Labs have a strong presence in Higher Education and have produced significant opportunities for staff, students and communities, to not only engage in research but to address real issues that affect their lives.

"Linking our Living Lab to the University's strategic Changemaker Challenges provides us with a fantastic opportunity to deliver a Living Lab that is unique in the UK."


Joanna is very keen to involve colleagues from across the University, so if you would like more information, or are interested in getting involved with the Living Lab please email Joanna.Wright@northampton.ac.uk

This article was first published here.

Dr Terry Tudor visits the University of Brescia

Dr Terry Tudor reports on his recent visit to the University of Brescia...

I’ve just spent an enjoyable week at the annual summer school by the CeTAmb LAB at the University of Brescia, in Italy. This year, the summer school looked at issues related to water, sanitation and waste management, primarily focused on developing countries. So very much about an integrated approach to the manner in which we address some of our key environmental and health issues, as outlined by Silvio, Daniele and Andrea.

The University of Brescia

On the final day, there were a number of really interesting projects outlined by the participants, that they are currently working on. These included sustainable waste management in Bolivia by Navarro Ferronato, as well as Domenico Vitiello’s agricultural project, for which by the way, he is seeking funding and partners. Certainly, two very worthwhile initiatives.

Also, this week at the University of Brescia, there was a workshop on Industria 4.0, facilitating the digitilisation of manufacturing industry. This very well attended event was hosted by the Laboratorio RISE which is a leading research centre in the field of utilising innovation and circular business models for resource management.

The summer school is open to students from all countries and there is some financial support available for those that wish to attend. If you require more information please feel free to contact me.

Dr Terry Tudor
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
University of Northampton
terry.tudor@northampton.ac.uk

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/

Visiting Professor gives research seminar

On Monday 8th June 2015 Professor Kate Rowntree gave a seminar on 'Politics, policy and projects - landscape greening in the Tsitsa catchment, South Africa.'  Professor Rowntree outlined a current research project investigating sustainable solutions to erosional problems in an area of the Eastern Cape near to the proposed Ntabelanga dam.

Professor Rowntree is based at the Department of Geography, Rhodes University, South Africa, and is a Visiting Professor at the Department of Geographical and Environmental Sciences at the University of Northampton.

Department team wins Green Impact bronze award

A team from the Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences at the University of Northampton recently won a bronze award through the NUS Green Impact scheme. Green Impact is an environmental accreditation and awards scheme, that supports teams and departments to make simple, tangible and powerful changes in behaviour and policy through an online workbook of criteria.

What’s up at Upton? Student conference

As part of a final year Geography module, students have been conducting research projects about Upton Meadows.  Upton Meadows is a sustainable urban expansion located on the western outskirts of Northampton.  The development began in 2001, with the aim that it would be an exemplar of sustainable urban growth.  The development includes new homes, a primary school, a country park, and a sustainable urban drainage system.  Staff within the Department for Environmental and Geographical Sciences have been carrying out research at the site from the very beginning, and the students’ projects feed in to our on-going research projects.

Examples of presentation titles from the 'What's Up at Upton' student conference.

 

The student conference is an annual event.  This year ten groups of students gave presentations on their research.  The topics ranged from exploring perceptions of sustainable architecture to evaluating the efficiency of the drainage systems and retention ponds.

PLANET TOO

Leo Cleverdon

The University of Northampton Students’ Union has developed PLANET TOO (P2), a student-led programme designed to transform thinking and behaviours around sustainable development and sustainable business ethics at the University of Northampton.

The aim of the project is to develop sustainability and create a long lasting legacy for all students at the University of Northampton. Being funded by the NUS Green fund; students have the opportunity to apply for grants that help to reduce the impact of their activities, such as hiring a minibus rather than using individual cars or the developing a student garden to promote edible growing on campus.

A key asset for the project is the creation of the Changemaker Society.  The Changemaker volunteers are pivotal in spreading the word of P2 and essential in delivering the different strands of the project. They have attended workshops and development seminars as well as photo shoots and other university events. These valued extra-curricular skills can be beneficial to your CV and desirable by future employers. The society members are friendly and committed individuals, with an aim is to enthuse others with the benefits of P2 and sustainability, as well as a lively social calendar.

Are you passionate about the environment? Would you like to make a difference? If so, why not get involved.

Contact simon.pole@northampton.ac.uk or leo.cleverdon@northampton.ac.uk.