Dissertations and Research Projects

At Leeds, we strive to promote research and learning that makes an impact on global challenges and is truly interdisciplinary. Our focus is on six key areas: health, water, food, energy, culture and cities.

Through these, we can examine sustainability from a number of perspectives including low carbon solutions, transport, ecology, cultural values, climate change and hydrology. This strategy and related work will support these key research themes, as well as a wide range of other research activities that link with sustainability.

Sustainability shapes everything we do – what we teach, learn, buy, use and share. It is a fundamental part of ensuring we have a positive impact on everyone and everything.

Find out more about how to embed sustainability into your research in the context of your discipline and other useful resources below.

Why Research Sustainability?

Some of the benefits of incorporating sustainability into your research are;

Employers are actively seeking graduates who understand the core concepts of both present and future environmental, social and economic challenges. It will stand you out from the crowd!
Sustainability is an interdisciplinary field, so the vast majority of students can easily incorporate sustainability aspects within their research in a way that aligns with their interests; from exploring how low carbon energy solutions can be integrated into rural areas, to investigating the social impact of the arts in communicating ethical purchasing.
Tailoring your research project to address a sustainability theme actively contributes to having a positive impact in society, as your work will be focussing on real challenges and actions for positive change.
There are opportunities to showcase your work and be recognised for your achievements – the annual University of Leeds Student Sustainability Research Conference is an opportunity for any student to present their curricular projects or research to a wide audience, and network with like-minded students, staff, and visitors. The University of Leeds Annual Sustainability Awards highlights student research as one of the key awards in the Building Knowledge and Capacity categories.

Choosing Your Topic

Each year Sustainability Services hosts a limited number of dissertations which align with key priorities. Key areas for 2019/20 include reducing single-use plastics, carbon management, students as Leeds residents and embedding sustainability in the curriculum. We encourage you to submit your ideas around each of these topics to sustainability@leeds.ac.uk.

When developing ideas you may find it useful to consider how the UN Sustainable Development Goals align with your research. Take a look at student research presented at the University of Leeds Annual Student Sustainability Research Conference and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Platform at sustainabledevelopment.un.org/topics to help you with formulating ideas.

NUS has created the guide ‘From Art to Zoo Management: embedding sustainability in UK higher and further education’ to highlight examples of how sustainability has been embedded across disciplines.

The University of Exeter has also published an Education for Sustainability Topics Quick Guide which is available at www.exeter.ac.uk/sustainability/education/quick_guide/topics.

Opportunities

Living Lab

The Living Lab is open to everyone. It brings together students, staff and partners from research, teaching and operational teams to co-produce innovative and transformational solutions to real-world sustainability challenges, using the campus as a test-bed. It is interdisciplinary and drives continual, sustainable improvement by tackling global challenges at the local scale.

Whether it is a research-led campus design addressing the challenges of climate change, trialling new sustainability initiatives with staff or students, or integrating biodiversity and wellbeing, the Living Lab programme is open to all staff and students across the University. It’s about people, processes and infrastructure and focuses on the cultural and social sciences as well as STEM.

Living Lab for Air Quality

One of our flagship projects, the Living Lab for Air Quality is just getting underway. To find out more about how we are measuring and mapping air quality in and around the University of Leeds Campus click here.

LivingLabScape: i-Tree Leeds Campus Survey

This project is a collaboration between the Sustainability Service and Leeds4Trees – a partnership of LEAF (Leeds Ecosystem, Atmosphere & Forest Centre), the United Bank of Carbon (UBoC) and Leeds City Council. We are exploring the value of trees and green spaces across campus as a pilot study for a City-wide project. The findings of the project will enable us to take an even better account of the value of trees when planning campus development. You can use the map below to explore the details of the project’s findings so far and read more about the project here.

LivingLabScape: Biofiltration Systems

The Sustainability Service and Estates Services have collaborated with the School of Civil Engineering to investigate the design and configuration of biofiltration systems for sustainable urban drainage in the UK climate, using the University campus as a test-bed. This is part of the LivingLabScape stream of projects.

Biofiltration systems are landscaped Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) that provide rainfall-runoff reduction, peak flow attenuation and stormwater runoff treatment. They have a small footprint so can be retrofitted into the existing urban landscape which makes them ideal for locations such as the University of Leeds campus. The project, therefore, aims to assess feasibility and opportunities for their uptake in this context.

Phase 1 of the project is already complete and has included lab-based work to establish the appropriate soil matrix. Phase 2 focusses on plant growth trials and has just got underway with the installation of 24 biofilter columns at our Bardon Grange site in Leeds. PhD student Andrea Aiello will carry out 6 months of investigations to establish the optimum biofilter design and recommendations for Phase 3 – a pilot biofilter on campus!

The Food Waste Living Lab

Food waste is a global challenge and the University of Leeds aims to lead the way in innovative approaches to reducing waste from our catering, cafes and restaurants. We are therefore developing a Food Waste Living Lab. The Sustainability Service has collaborated with the School of Chemical & Process Engineering (SCaPE) and the Centre for Doctoral Training for Bioenergy to look at the feasibility of a variety of technological and behavioural approaches. We have also been developing an interdisciplinary network of food waste research across the University to allow us to take a more collaborative approach moving forwards. Sustainability Services are currently working with SCaPE to analyse the recommendations so keep an eye out for the next phase soon.

In the meantime, you can read a blog of a recent interview with the students involved here.

Mixed Ability Sports

The Mixed Ability Sport (MAS) model is yet to be applied to a University setting but could prove an effective way to increase sports participation in underrepresented groups, as well as to achieve greater social inclusion and community building. The Living Lab is, therefore, collaborating with the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) and the Sport & Physical Activity Service (SPA) to carry out a pilot project to evaluate whether there is a need for a MAS offering at the University of Leeds. Find out more here.

Last Mile Deliveries

Large numbers of courier vehicles deliver parcels and packages to our Schools and Services around campus. Staff and students increasingly utilise the benefits of online orders with next day delivery to support research, teaching and operational activities. Such volumes of vehicle movement have an impact on congestion as well as local air quality.

We have made great strides in reducing the volume of vehicle movement by working with Go Getter Dispatch bike couriers to deliver campus post. However, goods and parcels delivered by external courier services remain a complex and fragmented challenge that is difficult to monitor and manage. The Facilities Directorate is, therefore, collaborating with the Institute for Transport Studies to map the flow of courier vehicles around our campus and to highlight potential future improvement projects that might help reduce local congestion and pollution.

LivingLabScape: Sustainable Garden

Based on the gold award-winning RHS flower show entry in 2012 by the University’s water@leeds, the Sustainable Garden is an excellent example of collaborative working between the Facilities Directorate, Leeds University Union and academic staff. It provides a multi-functional space for staff, students and visitors.

All can engage in the cultivation of the edible garden, wildflower areas, soft fruit hedgerows, insect houses and pocket habitats. Regular gardening sessions allow volunteers to learn new skills, research pods are utilised for undergraduate student study, and the space as a whole offers a valuable teaching area, particularly for Biology and Geography modules.

We are in the process of summarising some of the recent research activity that has taken place in the Garden and will share it here soon.

Creating Sustainable Futures

As part of Broadening at the University of Leeds, one of our ten Discovery Themes is called Creating Sustainable Futures. This UK Green Gown Award-winning project offers students across the University the opportunity to study sustainability modules as part of their degree. Students are able to tackle real-life sustainability challenges through practical projects. Research findings, data and solutions are shared with university operational staff, local communities and businesses to drive continual sustainable improvement.

Sustainable Labs

Our Sustainable Labs Working Group was established in 2013 to support and monitor the implementation of sustainability actions to reduce the impacts of our laboratory network. It brings together Lab Managers, Technicians, Academics and Estates Services from across the University to work together collaboratively and share best practice.

We regularly host S-lab events and seminars to take forward our sustainability projects such as Reuse@Leeds:labs which allow users to share items like electrical equipment, glassware and chemicals through our popular reuse site.

Examples

Examples of past projects and research can be found below. The dissertation projects all aligned with Living Lab principles.

The Living Lab is able to offer funding to projects that meet the core principles of the programme. We are particularly looking for projects that require seed funding to get off the ground or match funding as part of a collaborative partnership. This might be between Schools, Faculties, Services or even external stakeholders. Find out more at: sustainability.leeds.ac.uk/the-living-lab

To view Living Lab research opportunities that the Sustainability Service have identified, as well as current projects already taking place please CLICK HERE.

Development of a Process for Identifying and Managing Labour Risks in the University of Leeds Supply Chain (Living Lab project)
Saul Diez Lozano – MSc Sustainability and Consultancy
2017

A Worthy Investment? Evaluating the Utility of Carbon Footprints for Informing Environmental Policy Within Organisations (Living Lab project)
James Townsend – MSc Sustainability and Climate Change
2012

Impacts of the University of Leeds’s Palm Oil Supply Chain on Biodiversity in Southeast Asia (Living Lab project)
Jonathan Withey – MSc Sustainability: Business, Environment and Corporate Responsibility
2012

Making Laboratories Greener: Barriers to Energy Efficiency at the University of Leeds (Living Lab project)
Emma Sturtevant – MSc Sustainability and Climate Change
2012

Should the University of Leeds Use Biomass for Space Heating? An Assessment of Technology Options and Associated Feedstocks (Living Lab project)
Ben Smith – MSc Sustainability: Business, Environment and Corporate Responsibility
2012

If you have completed a sustainability-themed dissertation or research project and would like to share your findings with us please contact us.

Share Your Research

Support

Where to start?

The Final Chapter web pages contain lots of useful information for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students working on research projects or dissertations. It covers choosing your topic, doing a literature review, structuring your work and critical thinking. You can also watch videos of staff and students from the University of Leeds sharing their top tips for success.

Visit library.leeds.ac.uk/info/1401/academic_skills/108/dissertations to find out more.

Dissertation Workshops

Skills@Library host a number of dissertation workshops where any student (UG or PGT) can find out how to integrate sustainability into their work, and the benefits of doing so. Find out more and book at: library.leeds.ac.uk/info/1400/study_and_research_support

The Student Sustainability Research Conference

Stuck for a project idea? Can’t think how sustainability applies to your subject?
CLICK HERE to explore the diversity of work presented at the Annual Student Sustainability Research Conference, which attracts presenters from across all Faculties at Leeds, sharing their research or curricular projects which have a focus on sustainability themes.

From Art to Zoo Management

Not sure how sustainability applies to your subject? Check out NUS’s ‘From Art to Zoo Management‘ guide and see some examples of how your discipline could apply to sustainability.

Need participants for your survey or project?

Why not post details of your survey or call for participants to the University of Leeds Current Students Facebook page. Don’t forget to tag @UoL_Sus so that we can help promote and share your research!

Contact the team

We are always happy to help any student with queries on doing a sustainability-themed project. Visit the contact us page and leave us a message telling us what specific questions or data needs you have!

Student Sustainability Research Conference 2019

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PRESENTED AT AND ATTENDED THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE!

Applications to present at the 2020 conference will open in the new academic year. Please check back for updates.

Interested in ensuring your event is sustainable? Visit meetinleeds.co.uk/sustainability to find out how to make this possible.

On Friday 29^th March 2019, over 200 staff, students and visitors attended the third Annual Student Sustainability Research Conference.

Building knowledge and capacity of sustainability is fundamental to our teaching strategy here at Leeds, and this event celebrated and highlighted the critical role that student research plays in finding innovative interdisciplinary solutions.

The day consisted of student presentations, an all-day exhibition of academic posters, networking sessions and a keynote speech by University Chancellor Professor Dame Jane Francis.

Research showcased on the day, from both University of Leeds and Leeds Arts University students, ranged from valuing the City’s trees through the i-Trees project to designing a waste-free fashion future; improving sustainable drainage systems for sustainable cities and a discussion on surfing’s place in society illustrated through the medium of Surf Art. Students also linked their research back to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The day culminated with an inspiring keynote speech by Professor Dame Jane Francis on her experiences as Director of the British Antarctic Survey including accounts of the impact of single-use plastic on wildlife.

This was followed by an awards ceremony, which celebrated the excellent poster entries shown as part of the conference exhibition.

We were delighted with the strong turnout and a show of great enthusiasm from delegates and would like to thank everyone involved with making the event a success.

Sustainability in the Curriculum

Sustainability is part of being a student at the University of Leeds, no matter what your discipline. It’s that simple.

Sustainability is cross-disciplinary, perfectly slotting into undergraduate and postgraduate courses and opening up a rich seam of research possibilities. Concepts, issues and innovations relating to sustainability are integrated into our learning programmes.

Alongside formal learning, we are also committed to supporting you to develop, understand and communicate the skills that you have – from volunteering, internships and becoming sustainability auditors to getting out and trying your hand at beekeeping.

Your Degree

Degree Programmes

The University offers undergraduate, PGT and PGR degree programmes that develop students’ knowledge, skills and experience of sustainability issues and solutions, enabling them to contribute effectively to tackling global challenges. Please visit the University of Leeds Course Finder for further details.

Discovery Modules

Programmes of study are made up of different modules: compulsory, optional and discovery modules. All Discovery Modules sit within the University’s ten Discovery Themes and give undergraduate students the opportunity to broaden their academic experience and enhance your employability. Students can choose to take a Discovery Module which develops a specific skill or which allows you to pursue a personal interest.

The Creating Sustainable Futures Discovery Theme allows students from a wide range of disciplines to complete sustainability modules, throughout their time at Leeds. For more information visit leedsforlife.leeds.ac.uk/Broadening/Theme/3.

Other Modules

Sustainability is integrated into existing School modules, two examples of this are, Leeds University Business School Commercial and Professional Skills module and the School of Medicine RESS Special Studies Project Module.

Dissertations & Research Projects

Student Sustainability Research Conference

Awards & Scholarships

Living Lab Funding

Are you a student considering a sustainability dissertation or other assessed project as part of your studies? You could use the campus as your test bed, gather or analyse data that supports the delivery of the University’s Sustainability Strategy, or work directly with operational staff to help identify sustainable improvements.

Other Funding

The University is pleased to offer scholarships for forced migrants to the UK. For details of the Sanctuary Scholarship and other scholarships visit www.leeds.ac.uk/info/130540/funding.

Other Ways to Get Involved

Discover more opportunities to develop and communicate your sustainability skills, meet new people, and lead the way as the next generation of responsible citizens at sustainability.leeds.ac.uk/studentopportunities.

Get Your Research Published

Discovering Sustainability is a student-led journal in the Sustainability Research Institute at the University of Leeds. The purpose of this journal is to publicise the work of students as producers of education, research and outreach. Find out more and submit your work at discuss.leeds.ac.uk.

Events

Regular event sustainability and climate-related events listings across the University of Leeds are posted on our Events page and also by the Faculty of Environment (environment.leeds.ac.uk/events) and the Priestley Centre (climate.leeds.ac.uk/events).

FutureLearn

A diverse range of online Futurelearn courses has been developed by the University of Leeds, including an Environmental Challenges program. Completing all five courses will enable you to:

understand the importance of justice and fairness in environmental management;
identify the different types of values applied to nature;
explore the role of language in the way we perceive and interact with nature;
investigate the mathematics of natural dynamics;
and assess the impact of conflict on the environment.

Find out more about the programs available at www.futurelearn.com/partners/university-of-leeds.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

To find out more about the Sustainable Development Goals see sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs and through Microsoft’s Teaching Sustainable Development Goals course at preview.education.microsoft.com/course/72e17f8d/overview.

Governance & Reporting

Sustainable futures and responsibility are core to our Leeds Curriculum, which is overseen by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Tom Ward, who also supports the University’s Annual Student Sustainability Research Conference.

We report our progress throughout the year to the University Executive Group via the Sustainability Steering Group, Student Education Board, and in our Annual Sustainability Report. Through this process, we assess our achievements and agree on future plans to ensure that we stay on track on our commitment to embed sustainability across the curriculum.

Blog