Leeds Living Lab celebrates its first anniversary

Sustainable solutions to world challenges achieved through collaboration are celebrated in a new report.

Mapping air quality across campus, as part of the Leeds Living Lab programme, are (from left) Nick Tabler, a student from Canada at Leeds on a QES Scholarship; Thom Cooper, Sustainability Programme Officer (Living Lab); and Michael Howroyd, Sustainability Projects Officer

Sustainability Services has produced the document to mark the first anniversary since the launch of the University’s Leeds Living Lab.

Driven by the University’s commitment to embedding sustainability through knowledge, engagement, collaboration and innovation, the Living Lab brings together students, academic and operational staff to research and test sustainable solutions, enhance the curriculum and solve real world challenges, using the University as both a testbed for innovation and a space for co-created research-led teaching.

In the past year, teams from across campus have developed nine interdisciplinary research projects and ten individual student studies and dissertations promoting sustainability at the University.

Projects to date have ranged from monitoring and mapping air quality across campus to trialling the mixed ability sports model through workshops and taster days for staff and students. It is hoped the outputs will drive sustainable improvements at the University and that these will be scalable to our communities, the city and beyond.

Now, a report has been produced to celebrate the success, share the fantastic projects to date, and inspire staff and students to get involved.

Thom Cooper, Sustainability Programme Officer, said: “The success of the Living Lab has been down to the enthusiasm and collaboration of the many staff and students that have engaged with the programme so far.

“More than 140 people have participated in Living Lab projects this year and they come from Schools and Services across the University. That helps to break down institutional boundaries and provides our colleagues with a greater sense of pride and connection to campus.”

There are a number of new and exciting projects in the pipeline and Sustainability Services are keen for more people to get involved. Whether you are seeking a sustainable solution to a long-standing challenge in your team or Service, or looking for an opportunity for innovative sustainability research with impact, the Leeds Living Lab can help you develop the right collaborative approach.

Visit the Sustainability Services website or e-mail the team for further information, including how to apply for Living Lab match or seedcorn funding.

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