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Institution: University of Westminster
Location: London, United Kingdom
Focus area: Research, Campus Management
Summary
The desire to bring about a more equitable, sustainable world is shared by the University of Westminster's staff and students. Sustainability and the climate emergency are cross-cutting themes that run through curricula, research, and operational activities regardless of college, school, or department.
The University has six main research groups focusing on addressing the Circular EconomyCircular EconomyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature., (Applied Biotechnology Group, Architecture and Cities, Centre for the Study of the Production of the Built Environment, Centre for Urban Infrastructure, Climate Change Energy and Sustainability, Environment and Technology Group). There are also four environmental groups (School of Architecture and Cities Climate Action Taskforce; Westminster Climate Action Network; Climate Change Taskforce; Environmental Society) combining staff and students dedicated to this topic.
The research and knowledge exchange community on Sustainable Cities and the Urban environment (SCUE) also convenes academics from across the institution, providing seed funding for research proposals interrogating these issues and opportunities for knowledge exchange with industry.
The University of Westminster now publishes its annual Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report in order to track progress and impact around sustainable development and circularity. This report is publicly available to view on the University's SDG webpage alongside additional case studies on education, research, knowledge exchange, and operational measures.
Education: Teaching and Learning
The module in Sustainable City Economies, (within the Business Management course), provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge regarding sustainable cities by understanding the importance of the SDGs. The module analyses the city as a complex network of systems including energy, transport, housing, and governance. Students reflect upon the role of stakeholders regarding socio-economic and environmental issues. The module includes a lecture on "Building Sustainable Cities: Circular Economy, Role of the Company in Sustainable Cities" with guest speakers from industry who discuss the socio-environmental performance of companies.
The MSc Sustainability Management and Innovation, covers modules such as Collaboration, Cooperation & Green Supply Chains and an international field trip where students study a particular challenge area in a country overseas, such as the circular economy. This module is focused on organisations' necessity to build partnerships to deliver sustainability goals. Emphasis is placed on sustainable supply chains, green logistics, and procurement. The module focuses on the specific elements of supply chain management covering green public procurement, environmental and socially responsible purchasing policies and organisational issues associated with their implementation.
Students studying Law LLB Honours cover a module in their third year on Sustainability in Law and Policy. The module is interdisciplinary, drawing on ethics and psychology but taught from a legal perspective. Circular economy is introduced in waste and drawn on throughout other topics,such as economics when considering consumption and sustainable fashion. Some of the other topics covered include Sources of Sustainability; Waste; Measuring Sustainability: a comparison of the EPI and Planetary Boundaries; Environmental Psychology; Economics; Sustainability in Politics and Policy; Climate Change; Gender Equality.
Designing Cities: Planning and Architecture, offered as part of the BA Designing Cities Architecture, Interiors and Urban Design, aims to build a career in city planning and design with a focus on shaping cities in a more sustainable way. The course is based on a core range of innovative modules, from sustainability & environment to the University's unique 'climate urbanism studio'. The learning experience allows students to face the challenge of climate change, alongside the need to build resilient neighbourhoods and to enable circular economies to flourish at the city level. Since 2019, the course has supported the 'Planners for Climate Actions' Initiative of UN-HABITAT.
Applied Research
Microbial electron transfer: Research and Innovation for social welfare (METRIS)
This project focuses on developing a novel microbial fuel cell system for industrial wastewater treatment technology using naturally occurring bacteria to treat wastewater and generate electricity. The treated water can be used by communities where water is scarce which has the potential to positively impact the economy and social welfare by mitigating pollution of water bodies while providing water for reusereuseThe repeated use of a product or component for its intended purpose without significant modification.. On-going work involves development of photosynthetic microbial fuel cells for dye wastewater treatment to achieve the same aims and the development of greener dyes via synthetic biology approaches (collaboration with Bluegene Technologies Ltd).
Sustainable Materials in Regenerative Medicine
This research group focuses on the production of value-added products such as bioplastics using waste feedstock and their application in the field of medicine. Projects involve the production of novel biopolymers via bacterial fermentation process using a range of waste streams. Polymer characterization, processing, biocompatibility with the mammalian cells and its degradation behaviour forms the core aspect of this research group. (Learn more).
Accelerating the commercial implementation of electro-methanogenic reactors
This Project aims to develop a more efficient process for waste conversion to biomethane and fertiliser. (Learn more).
Developing a process to manufacture lactic acid from waste derived sugars.
This Innovate UK-funded project is undertaking research to identify the most sustainable and techno-economically advantageous process for the manufacture of lactic acid from waste-derived sugars, which can in turn be used to make polylactic acid; this can be used in the manufacture of bio-plastic products.
Bioclimatic and Regenerative Design Guidelines for a Circular University Campus In India
This research developed a practical framework with tangible benchmarks for a 'Circular University Campus' based on a real project development in India. The principles were used to establish 'Project Specific Circular Building Indicators' for a residential block to enhance the proposed design through bioclimatic regenerative design strategies. The results demonstrated the benefits and feasibility of a bioclimatic, regenerative building and neighbourhood design and provided practical case studies and guidelines which can be adapted by architects, planners and governmental institutions, enabling the shift to a restorative, circular construction industry. (Learn more).
Campus Management and Student-led initiatives
The University of Westminster is committed to continuous environmental improvement and has been striving towards reducing the environmental impact of its campus activities. Sustainable practices and policies have been growing across the University, from incorporating sustainability into procurement to supporting staff and student-led projects. The University also participates in the EcoCampus scheme, currently holding a gold certificate for their sustainability programme. Learn more.
Re-use and recycling
The University is tackling campus waste via several initiatives. In addition to reusing or recycling furniture both internally and externally, (ReYooz furniture recycling project), the University also tackles coffee cup waste via the Cup Fund recycling scheme, in collaboration with Bywaters, Hubbub, and Starbucks. Working with the University, Bywaters have introduced reverse vending machines, rewards, designed coffee cup bins, re-branded cups and run communications campaigns to engage students. The cups are collected using a zero-emission electric coffee cup recycling van, (charged from a solar PV array) and students are incentivised to use the reverse vending machine through a voucher scheme. Students from the School of Architecture and Cities work with Material Reuse Stations in the Fabrication Lab.
Nature and food
In addition to sourcing ethical, seasonal fruits and vegetables, providing reusable water bottles and coffee cups to students, the University of Westminster also grows food on campus. The University hosted workshops during sustainability week to engage the community on the sustainability of food systems and encouraging hands-on involvement, such as the 'Edible Plant Workshops', where participants learned about edible flowers and planted their own (in the Marylebone Campus food growing space) and the 'Growing Spaces Workshop' hosted at the Harrow Campus, covering the basics of plant health, what species to plant and the best times of year to plant. Learn more.
Procurement and Catering
The University of Westminster works in close collaboration and partnership with their catering team, Aramark Northern Europe, to deliver a circular and sustainable catering operation. Surplus food is now sold at reduced cost through the 'Too Good To Go’ app to reduce food waste and food insecurity for students based at the Harrow campus. A specific Sustainable Food Policy was also developed for the Aramark at University of Westminster team with strong commitments to delivering a circular catering operation. The innovative and collaborative solutions delivered by the Aramark at the University of Westminster team has been nationally recognised through the Green Kitchen Standard champion award by Soil Association which is shaping public sector catering within the UK and decisions being made by Aramark Northern Europe at the corporate level to adopt more sustainable and circular solutions as demonstrated by the Westminster team.
Sustainable energy and travel
The University of Westminster is encouraging more sustainable travel across its campuses through free bicycle checks (Dr Bike), staff 'bike breakfasts' for those choosing a more sustainable way of getting into work, cycling newsletters, hosting exploratory lunchtime walks and providing 100% renewable electric vehicle charging stations around the campus.
"100 per cent of the energy we source at the University is renewable so anyone charging their car at our charging point will have fuelled their car from a renewable source. Actions like these demonstrate how the University is committed to the sustainable development goals."
- Jordan Lamb, Sustainability Coordinator
Students from the University of Westminster have various activities, such as the Students from the Event Design & Management course organised the Sustainability Web Festival.
Connect with
Stephanie Lasalle, Manager of the Collaboration Development Team. Research & Knowledge Exchange Office (s.lasalle@westminster.ac.uk)
