The challenge

In research, every step potentially results in greenhouse gas emissions, including travel, collecting data, and storing and analysing data. These emissions contribute to the climate crisis. UK universities emit an estimated 18.1 million tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) annually; approximately 2.3% of the UK’s carbon footprint. Although many funders, initiatives and universities have sustainability targets and recommendations to reduce their carbon footprint, many universities are failing to meet their net zero targets.  

Researcher knowledge and engagement is vital to reducing university carbon emissions, yet little is currently known about researchers’ awareness of these initiatives, knowledge about the environmental impact of their research, or consideration of research’s wider environmental impact. Surveys with British and French researchers found they had high levels of climate concern, yet were often disempowered or lacked knowledge to act accordingly, with little knowledge sharing between faculties. A better understanding of how to overcome this attitude-behaviour gap is now needed.  

What we're doing

Using a mixed-methods approach (surveys and interviews/focus groups) across a range of University of Bristol faculties, we aim to explore these questions to better comprehend researcher knowledge and attitudes, barriers and drivers to embedding sustainability within research processes, and what they need to improve the sustainability of research. A cross-disciplinary overview will ensure comprehensiveness of the findings, promote sharing of knowledge, and learn from the similarities and differences between faculties. This project will provide vital data to inform both university policy and future projects to embed sustainability in research. 

How it helps

Initiatives to promote sustainable research are beginning to be developed, but progress varies widely between disciplines. This project will help us understand the educational, motivational and training needs of researchers to act on these initiatives and incorporate sustainable research practices in their everyday work. 

Investigators

• Dr Ava Lorenc, Bristol Medical School 
• Dr Daniel Major-Smith, Bristol Medical School 
• Professor Kate Tilling, Bristol Medical School 
• Anne-Laure Donskoy, School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies 
• Dr Patricia Neville, Bristol Dental School 
• Matthew Fackrell, School of Physics 
• Katie Major-Smith, University of Plymouth