Sustainability

We focus on how people, organisations, and communities employ innovations and technologies to be more sustainable in their living and working relationships within parts or all our planetary environment. We see innovations and technologies as complex sets of people, processes, products and practices while we see parts or all our planetary environment as being defined as much by how those people involved in situations see their own context as by any simple definition of the ‘natural environment’. We use both systematic and systemic approaches to variously explore the scientific, technical, social, economic and ethical elements of sustainability for all to better understand and act within them. Throughout we try to challenge conventional views and approaches to sustainability and draw upon many theories and concepts from other disciplines. We work closely with colleagues in the School working on Design and Energy related projects as well as collegues in other Schools in the University.

Our research and development work falls into three broad themes.