Student and staff research day focuses on sustainability
Students and academics at the University of Chester shared ideas and best practice on sustainability at a research day recently, when the internationally significant research profile of the Faculty of Science, Business and Enterprise was showcased.
From playing a lead role in industrial decarbonisation research (Chester Business School), to the conservation of endangered species (School of Natural Sciences;), to advanced and sustainable engineering covering renewable energy (School of Computer and Engineering Sciences), the Faculty’s diverse array of pioneering research is leading the way to a sustainable future. CREST (The Centre for Research into Environmental and Sustainable Transitions) is driving rural innovation by integrating nature-based and engineering solutions, modelling sustainable agricultural value chains using life cycle analysis and material flow analysis.
The research event explored the United Nations [17] sustainability goals – the challenges they create and finding new ways to tackle them with collaborative research. It brought the whole community of researchers together from MRes student researchers to experienced research professors.
The event started with an introduction to the research and knowledge exchange strategy across the University. Each of the three research leads - Dr Michal Izak, Professor in Organisation Studies; Dr Stuart Cunningham, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and Dr Matt Geary, Associate Professor in Conservation Biology - gave a presentation and overview of research in their School. Two colleagues from each school then discussed their research.
Research students had the chance to showcase their work. PhD student Eleanor Lewis presented her industrial decarbonisation research, which is sponsored by Encirc, a glass container manufacturer located in Elton. Her cutting-edge research will assist the company’s strategy to decarbonise its operations.
Master of research (MRes) students entered a presentation competition on the day to give a flavour of their work. MRes Biological Sciences student Emma Barker was the winner, with runners up Lyndon Howson, MRes Biological Sciences and Lucy Morris, PhD student. Lucy is researching pioneering wildlife monitoring for Lesser Horseshoe Bats whilst Lyndon is assessing hedgehog conservation strategies. The winner, Emma is researching leopard population statistics using camera trap data.
Professor Julieanna Powell-Turner, Associate Dean Research and Innovation, Faculty of Science, Business and Enterprise, said: “Our inaugural Faculty Research Day brought us together to engage in meaningful discussions on research priorities and collaborative opportunities. I hope this shared experience has laid the foundation for future innovative and interdisciplinary endeavors across our three Schools and the wider University.”
Dr Stuart Cunningham, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science (UX) and Research Lead added: “Our Away Day was a fantastic opportunity to galvanise our research teams, strategise and explore collaborative opportunities for a sustainable future. It was inspiring to hear about the diverse array of exciting research fields that colleagues across the Faculty are engaged with, and how we can support one another to reach our full potential.”
Find out more about the Faculty of Science Business and Enterprise or the University of Chester’s research (50% world leading in the most recent Research Excellent Framework).
Caption: Lyndon, Lucy and Professor Julieanna Powell-Turner.