Living Labs
Within our Green Capital Pledges we have committed to reduce the environmental impact of our campus with the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. In fitting with the Sustainable Futures strand of Bristol Futures, we will embed sustainability within our curricula in order to instil these values in the future generation of researchers. We can achieve this by merging our Estates department, academics and students; mutually solving many of the current environmental and financial issues facing our University. The living labs concept mobilises University students and researchers for sustainability efforts, bringing together research and real-world applied solutions on our campus.
Our goal is to provide a structure for students and academics to engage with opportunities to work with Estates staff and our environmental consultants on applied sustainability challenges within our research. Living labs provides a holistic framework for the co-production of knowledge.
This is a platform for academics and students to suggest research projects that are integrated with the sustainability of our university campus, research outputs or the behaviours that take place within them.
Living Lab Project Proposals
Staff & Students view available projects and further information on our Sharepoint site
Submit a Proposal
Connect with us
Contact the Sustainable Science Manager for more information or queries.
Previous and Ongoing Living Labs Projects
Integrating nature for personal and planetary health within the University
In 2023-24 a group of Innovation Masters students completed a practical dissertation project creatively researching how students and staff within the University of Bristol relate to nature, what is being done by the institution on ecological objectives, and the effects of interacting with nature for both personal and planetary health. They conducted extensive research including interactive sensory sessions with students and staff on campus in Royal Fort Gardens. The outcome of this project was a Nature Integration Toolkit for use by staff and students to discuss the benefits of nature and to encourage nature positive steps across the University.
Exploring Bristol’s Parks - Investigating green space issues through real-world learning in Physical Geography
In 2017 Physical Geography staff realised that students could benefit from working on a real-world problem leading to a successful pilot. At the same time, as part of the University’s Green Capital activity, the same need had been identified from local ‘friends of’ park groups. This has led to 50 second year Physical Geography students each year applying their classroom-based knowledge to air, soil and water quality research projects in partnership with organisations in the city such as Manor Woods Valley Group. Projects have included testing the suitability of river water for introducing wildlife, assessing the impact of landfill on a wildflower meadow, and investigating pollution sources through water sampling and meter readings.
Better Cider and Apple Day
Started in 2020 by Kasha Smal and Alan Stealey from the University of Bristol Estates Team the UoB Better Cider Project offers an invaluable opportunity for our amazing students to acquire hands-on skills essential for their future careers. Students from the School of Biological Sciences participate in every aspect of cider production—from engaging in past and present research on apples undertaken at our University, to planting and harvesting apples, to processing and bottling. Located at the historical Long Ashton Research Station, Fenswood Farm serves as both the operational hub and a practical extension of classroom learning, immersing students in the intricacies of food production and agricultural innovation.
