April 29, 2014, by sustainablenottingham

Sustainability Research Network: One Year On

Sarah Glozer reflects on the Sustainability Research Network’s first year…

Time has flown by and it seems like only yesterday that the Sustainability Research Network (SRN) was launched at the University of Nottingham. The network now extends to include over 200 researchers, who all share a common interest in sustainability. As we approach our first birthday this May and look towards the coming year, we thought it would be a great time to reflect on some of the key highlights from the past 12 months:

1. Visits: In August 2013 we were invited to attend E.ON’s Ironbridge power station, which has been converted from coal to biomass, and in January 2014 we ran a tour of the University of Nottingham Eco Houses. These visits provided valuable opportunities to see sustainability projects in action and to reflect on our research interests.

2. Teaching: The SRN Committee and members of our network have been involved in the University of Nottingham’s first online learning courses. Participating in Perspectives on Sustainability ‘NOOC’ (Nottingham Online Open Course) across the UK, China and Malaysia campuses, as well as the University’s first ‘MOOC,’ Sustainability, Society and You*, we have enjoyed learning more about sustainability in different cultural and geographical contexts.

3. Collaborations: We have run eight events, generously supported by the IGS and STS research priority groups, as well as the Schools of Business, Geography and Architecture. These events have covered topics including Corporate Social Responsibility, engineering, green chemistry, interdisciplinarity, environmental policy and mental health, and have brought together early career and senior researchers, University staff and external speakers to share their perspectives and engage in dynamic discussions. We will be updating our blog with details of our anniversary event (May 23^rd), so please look out for this.

4. Expanding: In October 2013 the SRN Committee was invited to present at the Student Action for Sustainability Conference at The University of Keele. Here we engaged with international researchers and professionals, and even inspired The University of Keele to establish their own SRN! We continue to explore opportunities to develop SRN outside of the UK campus and are in discussion with colleagues in China and Malaysia around international development of SRN.

If you are interested in attending SRN events, receiving email updates, joining our mailing list or writing for our blog, drop us a note at SRN@nottingham.ac.uk. You can also engage with us via Twitter, Facebook and our blog.

*Sustainability, Society and You will run again in June 2014. Please visit FutureLearn to register.

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