The University of Brighton has launched its latest Centre of Research and Knowledge Exchange Excellence – the Centre for Environment and Society, headed by co-directors Dr Corina Ciocan and Professor James Ebdon from the School of Applied Sciences.
The centre replaces and builds on the work of the Centre for Earth Observation Science and Centre for Aquatic Environments and seeks to address pressing environmental, health and societal challenges. Research and knowledge exchange activities within the new centre fall under the following five broad themes:
- Water, health and humans
- People, nature and place
- Geoscience and society
- Ecology and conservation
- Environmental data and spatial intelligence.
Research and knowledge exchange activities enable researchers to deliver meaningful and tangible benefits to the environment, to human health and to society, working with partners on projects with impact including:
- A partnership with MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières) and BRAC at the Rohingya Camp, Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, home to nearly one million displaced people and the largest refugee camp in the world. The team are optimising the treatment of human waste from household latrines and healthcare facilities from across the camp and developing low-cost sanitation solutions that can be deployed in humanitarian crises and protect lives.
- An interdisciplinary collaboration involved multiple partners, including English Heritage and the Natural History Museum (London) where the team were able to unlock the secret origin of Stonehenge’s Sarsen stones using geochemical fingerprinting techniques.
- Ongoing research into marine pollution attracting media interest, external funding and aiming to influence policymaking. Whether highlighting evidence of microplastics found in oysters or pressing for new legislation relating to the discarded glass reinforced plastic boats that are linked to the contamination, this work focuses on the impacts on marine life, human health and the environment.
- Extensive engagement on blue spaces and wellbeing with external partners and communities and through our established links with the UNESCO Biosphere The Living Coast.
The scope of this latest CORE is broad-reaching and members have ambition and potential to attract researchers from all disciplines to create innovative solutions. The co-directors are keen to hear from colleagues throughout the university, and particularly from the Arts and Humanities, who are interested in working together and joining the Centre for Environment and Society. In addition, they welcome interest from other CORE directors interested in developing cross-CORE collaborations.
“We are always interested in developing promising partnerships, receiving new colleagues at all career levels, along with new professional members and ambitious research students. If you’d like to join, then please get in touch.” Professor James Ebdon and Dr Corina Ciocan
Further information
+ Visit the Centre for Environment and Society website to find out more.
+ If you would like to join or have any queries, email: EnvSocCORE@brighton.ac.uk.
+ Find out more about our Centres of Research and Knowledge Exchange Excellence online.
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