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Conference Programme

The Student Sustainability Research Conference 2024 took place at the University of Leeds on Wednesday 6 March. Students across Yorkshire and Humber had the opportunity to share their sustainability-related research.

A group of students looking attentively at a student's research. The text reads 'student sustainability research conference. Tickets are available!'For the first time, we worked collaboratively with the London Student Sustainability Research Conference to exchange the top three scoring students from both events giving them the opportunity to attend and present at both conferences.  

Take a look at this year’s exciting programme... 

Schedule

Alongside our Student Presentations and Design Exhibition, we held the following varied events occurring throughout the day.

Welcome Address

Professor Jeff Grabill

  • Professor Jeff Grabill is the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Student Education at the University of Leeds. Jeff leads the University's overall education strategy, including the Sustainable Curriculum programme of the University's Climate Plan. Hear about his work and knowledge in student education during his welcome address at the conference. 

Jenny Wilson

  • Jenny Wilson is the Director of Campus Innovation: Masterplanning, Asset Management & Sustainability at the University of Leeds. After joining the University in 2023, Jenny will will oversee and develop the campus masterplan, lead on all aspects of space and asset management, the University farm, and work closely with Thom Cooper on sustainability in relation to the campus and in a city-wide context. 

Student Panel

Blessing Mucherera

  • Blessing Mucherera is a PhD researcher at the University of Hull, Centre for Water Cultures in the Energy and Environment Institute. His current research focuses on urban flood justice among minoritised ethnicities. As one of the top scoring presentation applications for the SSRC24, Blessing will be presenting his research at the London Student Sustainability Research Conference in February.

 

Hazel Mooney

  • Hazel Mooney is a PhD researcher in the Institute of Climate and Atmospheric Science at the University of Leeds. Her work explores trees and forests in several ways, from examining forest interactions with the atmosphere in her PhD, to the management of tree pests and disease in her policy internship, and outdoor activities with volunteer groups. Hazel was recently awarded the student Sustainability Champion Green Gown Award for her work with Students For Trees.  

 

Vaibhav Pramode Nair

  • Vaibhav Pramode Nair is an undergraduate student studying Sustainability and Environmental Management at the University of Leeds. As the first undergraduate to attend a COP delegation from the University of Leeds, Vaibhav will join the panel to talk about his experience in Dubai and a poster on his research around The Human Considerations of Surveillance Technologies used in Biodiversity Conservation will displayed in Parkinson Court.

Guest Speakers

Jamie Crummie

  • Jamie Crummie trained as a lawyer, having studied a LLB in Law at Leeds University and a master’s in Human Rights Law LLM at Queen Mary before pursuing his mission of fighting food waste. He is the co-founder of Too Good To Go, the world’s largest marketplace for surplus food. Through its marketplace app Too Good To Go enables consumers to buy unsold food from restaurants and retailers, so that it doesn’t go to waste. Too Good To Go is currently active in 17 countries. The market-leading app has over 80 million registered users and 135,000 active food businesses, who together have rescued over 280+ million meals of food collectively. Jamie was named as an Obama Leader in 2023, Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year at the GB Entrepreneur Awards 2022, a Trailblazing Activist in Forbes’ the 50 Next class of 2021, One Young World’s Entrepreneur of the Year in August 2020, and one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in Europe in February 2019. 

 

Rosa Foster

  • Rosa Foster is the Co-Director of Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission and Lead on our Climate Emergency response in Yorkshire at the Environment Agency. 

Workshops

A student presenter points to a poster. A group of student conference attendees gather round

Multi-Uni Challenge; Eco Sprint 

  • Eco Sprint is an innovative strategy to advocate for sustainable practices within schools. The initiative aims to educate students about sustainability to initiate behavioural change. It focuses on making students aware of their carbon footprint and food consumption within university cafes and canteens by labelling food items. The Eco-Sprint service-learning project will allow students to become carbon-certified and track their sustainability progress throughout their university journey and beyond. 
  • Blessing Ogbu, University of Bradford 
  • Emily Barker, University of Leeds 
  • Yasith Gedara, University of Sheffield 
  • Yi Mon Aung, Leeds Beckett University 

The Future of Education and Communication about Climate Change

  • The interactive workshop will explore the Climate Venn Diagram as a method of environmental education and communication. Participants will engage and understand their form of climate action whilst collaborating to produce a Climate Venn collage.
  • Francesca File, University of York 

What comes after the UN Sustainable Development Goals? DiscoveryJam (with a focus on environmental, economic and social justice)

  • This focus group workshop will gather ideas for a 3-day DiscoveryJam the University of Leeds is hosting in June 2024. The Jam will focus on social, environmental and economic justice, and bring together educators, students and communities, including from the global south. Together, participants will enquire what comes after the Sustainable Development Goals, engage in a wide range of activities and ultimately propose solutions to global issues. 
  • Charles Pullman, University of Leeds 

Exploring the potential of games as tools for sensemaking in the context of climate action and young adults 

  • In this workshop, participants will play a group-based role-playing game that deals with sensemaking of climate actions. The play session will be followed by a debrief and discussion. 
  • Prasad Sandbhor, University of York 

Careers in Sustainability; Meet the Employers

The conference will close with a Careers in Sustainability: Meet the Employers event for students to connect with employers, alumni and members of the university community around careers in sustainability.   

Student Contributors

Take a look at the different research topics that will be presented through poster displays and speaker sessions. This year we have student research from fourteen different higher education institutions.

Justice, Equality and Inclusivity

Blessing Mucherera, University of Hull, Inclusive Floodscapes: Empowering minority ethnicities for urban flood resilience   

Blessing Ogbu, University of Bradford, Multi-Uni Challenge: Eco Sprint

Caitlin Matthews, University of Hull, Considering Gender within Net Zero and Climate Resilience 

Carys Newton, York St John University, Exploring the barriers and benefits to Community Gardening 

Devika Prakash, King’s College London, Even the tea leaves have a story to tell about Gender Inequality

Ellie Carpenter, Leeds Arts University, 16 Days of Action Campaign against Gender Based Violence for Women's Health Matters Leeds

Faith Ogedengbe, University of Leeds, Beyond the Scale: Evaluating current management strategies and proposing sustainable solutions for mitigating the obesity crisis 

Georgina Fish, Leeds Arts University, 16 Days of Action Campaign against Gender Based Violence for Women's Health Matters Leeds

Ilana Hartal, Leeds Beckett University, Sustainable solutions to the problem of gender based violence in South Africa

Isabel Anderson, York St John University, Evaluating a Living Lab project: Feeding the Campus 

Jiayi Cui, University of Leeds, The Impact of Media Discourse about Workplace Gender Discrimination on Chinese Job Seekers 

Kaishia Morita, University of York, Beyond the Scale: evaluating current management strategies and proposing sustainable solutions for mitigating the obesity crisis 

Liora Moser, Leeds Arts University, 16 Days of Action Campaign against Gender Based Violence for Women's Health Matters Leeds

Luke Neal, University of Sheffield, Labour and Just Transition in the North Sea wind energy supply chain 

Lydia Taylor, Leeds Arts University, 16 Days of Action Campaign against Gender Based Violence for Women's Health Matters Leeds

Mateusz Szczurek, Leeds Arts University, 16 Days of Action Campaign against Gender Based Violence for Women's Health Matters Leeds

Rebecca Shepherd, University of York, Participatory climate governance: investigating the integration of formal and informal decision-making spaces for producing effective gender responsive adaptation policy

Rosie Evans, University of Leeds, Sustainable solutions to the problem of gender-based violence in South Africa

Silu Dong, University of Leeds, The Colors of the World: A Journey of Diversity for Sustainable Development 

Sixtine Liesch, University of York, Integrating nutrition in the health systems of LMICs - a review in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals 

Stany Babu, Sheffield Hallam University, Alternate Readings of Spaces: Gendered response and Reaction to Vizhinjam Port Development 

Weihao Chen, University of Leeds, The Colors of the World: A Journey of Diversity for Sustainable Development

Zsofia Puikovity, Leeds Arts University, 16 Days of Action Campaign against Gender Based Violence for Women's Health Matters Leeds

Innovation, Industry and Infrastructure

Abraham Badjona, Sheffield Hallam University, Faba beans as a sustainable source of protein 

Adam Bower, Sheffield Hallam University, Sustainability = Innovation. The barriers, enablers and tensions that exist within our food system

Ashley Victoria, University of Leeds, Efficiency and Optimisation of All Cellulose Composites:  Application of Design of Experiments 

Hannah Wyatt, University of Hull, ClubCycle: Revolutionising NightClub Waste

Hollie Dodds, University of Leeds, Using Infrared Spectroscopy to Develop Sustainable Test Methods for Use in Chemical Quality Control 

Marianna Rostkowska, University of Leeds, Understanding the barriers and drivers for energy transformation in Poland

Melisha Barboza, University of Sheffield, Watts Next? The future of anode materials for Na-Ion batteries Influence of Ti valence states and its electrochemical performance in Na2Ti3O7 as Na-ion batteries anode

Renwentai Zhou, University of Leeds, Enhancing Sustainable Battery Utilisation: Analysis and Novel Control Scheme of a Portable Charger for Vehicles 

Sophie Fields, University of Leeds, Sustainability in Retailing: The Potential of Charity Shops 

Teigan Falloon, University of Hull, ClubCycle: Revolutionising NightClub Waste  

Tobias Kunz, University of Sheffield, Mi Casa Es-cupir: A characterisation of the spittlebug's foam home

Zeeshan Khokhar, University of Huddersfield, Role of drone deliveries as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil-based fuel delivery method for online retailing 
 

Education for Sustainable Development

Abigail Brown, Ellie Robbins, Heather Newman, Jackson Conway and Kirstie McMaster, University of York, Sustainability in Education: Empowering Eco-Councils

Alejandro Bueno Espindola, University of Leeds, EcoSort: Retaining Waste Value and Community Engagement 

Blessing Ogbu, University of Bradford, Multi-Uni Challenge: Eco Sprint 

Boroka Zsuzsanna Javor, University of Leeds, Connecting curriculum with community: a mixed methods study exploring student perspectives of community-engaged learning and sustainability in the curriculum 

Charles Pullman, University of Leeds, What comes after the UN Sustainable Development Goals? DiscoveryJam (with a focus on environmental, economic and social justice)

Danny McConnell, University of Leeds, Atmospheric Reaction Pathways of Organic Peroxy Radicals 

Ella Watts, Leeds Arts University, “Scales of Beauty" - A sustainable accessories collection supporting local communities

Emily Barker, University of Leeds, Multi-Uni Challenge: Eco Sprint 

Felipe Brescancini, University of Leeds, Motivations and barriers to positive socio-environmental impact work in Brazil 

Florence Tuppen, Leeds Arts University, FingsByFloss 

Francesca File, University of York, The Future of Education and Communication about Climate Change

Francesca Hardwick, University of Leeds, Creating frugal solutions to the challenge of malaria to human health and wellbeing

Freya James, University of York, Using Orr’s ‘Heads, Hearts and Hands’ model with an emphasis on the use of visual storytelling, is the key to successful climate education

Fumika Yamazaki, University of Leeds, The Keys to Engaging Youth with Global Issues Through News Stories: The Case of Japan 

Ganesh Adhikari Srinivas, University of Leeds, From Pixels to Progress: Innovative Solution for Global Educational Equity Building the Bridge to UN SDG 4 

Hannah Taylor, University of Leeds, Creating frugal solutions to the challenge of malaria to human health and wellbeing 

Harriet Adjabeng, University of Leeds, Living Labs in Higher Education 

Helena Liu, University of Leeds, From Pixels to Progress: Innovative Solution for Global Educational Equity Building the Bridge to UN SDG 4

Henry Croft, Leeds Arts University, How can brands connect with Generation Z to influence sustainable fashion behaviours in the UK?

Holly Palmer, University of Leeds, Creating frugal solutions to the challenge of malaria to human health and wellbeing  

John Ogunsanya, University of Hull, AI-Enhanced Adaptive Learning Platform for Sustainable Development Education 

Mariam Hanan Hameed, University of Leeds, Lessons from the practices and perceptions of residents for improving the waste management system: A case study of a Seaside town in India 

Mille Crinnion, Leeds Arts University, Fashion technology- sustainable practice 

Niamh Brennan, University of Leeds, Creating Fruglal Solutions to the Eradication of Malaria 

Prasad Sandbhor, University of York, Exploring the potential of games as tools for sensemaking in the context of climate action and young adults 

Rane Lucido, University of Leeds, Creative Climate Action: Using Music to Make Sustainability Research and Education More Accessible and Engaging.

Raquel Almeida Chamis, University of York, Activism in fashion: a doorway to shifting consumerism patterns

Raul Dena, University of Leeds, Connecting curriculum with community: a mixed methods study exploring student perspectives of community-engaged learning and sustainability in the curriculum

Safiya (Safi) Hussain, University of York, Using Orr's 'Heads, Hearts and Hands' model with an emphasis on the use of visual storytelling is the key to successful climate education
 
Sahana Shiva Kumar, University of Leeds, From Pixels to Progress: Innovative Solution for Global Educational Equity Building the Bridge to UN SDG 4 

Sarah Foster, University of York, The Role of Participatory Art Interventions in Sustainability and Climate Change Education 

Shoshan Aradom, University of Leeds, Creating frugal solutions to the challenge of malaria to human health and wellbeing 

Soluna Stojanovska, University of Leeds, Embedding Sustainability in Engineering Education

Sophia Waseem Khan, University of Durham, Embedding Sustainability in Engineering Education

Yasith Gedara, University of Sheffield, Multi-Uni Challenge: Eco Sprint

Yi Mon Aung, Leeds Beckett University, Multi-Uni Challenge: Eco Sprint 

Net Zero Carbon

Amy Grace, Sheffield Hallam University, Social Organisation of the High Consumer's Lifeworld: A novel approach to exploring high consumption 

Kate Morris, University of Leeds, Measuring clothing durability, it's tougher than you think

Michail Chrimatopoulos, University of Sheffield, CIP-FAST: developing a sustainable, more efficient solid-state processing route to create novel, near net-shaped titanium components from powders 

Suhail Ahmed, University of Hull, Lifecycle Assessment of Lithium-Ion batteries for Electric Vehicles

Tobey Yu, University of Leeds, Achieving net zero in the aviation sector - innovation through the use of hydrogen fuel cells

Ufuoma Arangebi, Sheffield Hallam University, Intergenerational Cross-Cultural Attitudes Towards Household Food Waste

Yejing Fan, University of Leeds, Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and Intentional EMI (IEMI) Impacts on the Radio Communication Network of Electrified Railway Systems 

Protection of Nature and Biodiversity

Aimaan Ariff, University of Leeds, Ecotoxicological Effects of Chronic Paracetamol Concentration to Seed Germination of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) 

Alyssa Osben, University of Sheffield, Biodiversity under depopulation in Japan and East Asia 

Chikumbutso Walani, University of Leeds, Aquasimplify: Automated System for Sustainable Fish Farming in Malawi. 

Dinara Perera, University of Leeds, Water Pollution and Water Sports: Public Health Implications for "blue spaces"

Elena Law, University of Leeds, Bees, Pesticides and Environmental Conservation: Defining the Sublethal Effects of Sulfoxaflor on Honeybees

Emma Robinson, University of York, Carbon-Capturing Calcifiers

Gabriel Rowland, University of Leeds, Quantifying and Understanding the Killing of Reintroduced Beavers in Scotland

Hazel Mooney, University of Leeds, Building resilience in treescapes 

Hien Luong, University of York, Alternative metrics suggested for biodiversity credits have a large impact on the spatial distribution of incentives for private investment 

Joseph Hamm, University of Leeds, "Milking the lions": A review of conservation performance payments for carnivores

Maisie Tinwell, University of Sheffield, Rural Heritage in American and Irish Poetry: Seamus Heaney and Wendell Berry

Man Sum Chan, University of Sheffield, The impact of herbivory-induced plant stress on flowers and flower feeding insects 

Nikita (Kit) Anderson, York St John University, How nostalgia and art can have a definitive impact on the connection an audience has with the environment. 

Sangita Ganesh, University of York, How can technology be adopted for community-based biodiversity projects to amplify benefits for well-being and biodiversity? 

Vaibhav Pramode Nair, University of Leeds, The Human Considerations of Surveillance Technologies used in Biodiversity Conservation

Climate Resilience and Adaptation

Athena Barbas-Marcroft, Sheffield Hallam University, Air travel decision-making and the climate crisis: An evaluation of critical factors and the choice process

Elsa Marima, University of Bradford, From a Pastoralist Perspective: Wellbeing Economics, Capability, and Sustainability

Fridah Okomo, University of Leeds, Thought For Food: Enhancing food security and sustainable food systems through contextualized food adaptation education

Jonathan Djamba, University of Huddersfield, Greener Students @ University

Kirsty Forbes, University of Leeds, Effect of embankment construction on flood modelling in the West Rapti river valley 

Lucy Cligg, University of Leeds, Considering Contextual Barriers in Sustainable Agriculture: A Devon Case Study 

Monica Stenzel, University of Leeds, Circular (Home) Economics: Domestic Textile Constructions from Sustainable Sources 

Pauline de Bigault de Cazanove, Queen Mary University of London, Plastic pollution: Can artificial weathering help us to understand the chemistry of degradation and its environmental impact?

Rebecca Lait, University of York, Investigating the role of power dynamics in the UK meat and livestock system 

Safia Irfan, Soumya Sharma. Mehseen Ullah. University of Westminster. Cavendish Living Lab

Exhibition

Open all day from 9am-6pm, the main exhibition space in Parkinson Court will feature over 80 posters relating to student research alongside installations curated by students from various universities including:

  • Ellie Carpenter, Georgina Fish, Liora Moser, Lydia Taylor, Mateusz Szczurek, Zsofia Puikovity, Leeds Arts University,16 Days of Action Campaign against Gender Based Violence for Women's Health Matters Leeds
  • Monica Stenzel, University of Leeds, Circular (Home) Economics: Domestic Textile Constructions from Sustainable Sources 
  • Kit Anderson, York St John University, How nostalgia and art can have a definitive impact on the connection an audience has with the environment

There will also be various exhibitors including: