Summer 2016 Winner: Abbey Frasi, BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering, School of Environment and Technology

Abbey’s final year project entitled ‘The Tensile Flexural Strength and Compressive Strength Of Recreated Roman Concrete’ was chosen as the winner by the award panel.  Abbey’s research showed that using recreated roman concrete could reduce C0₂ emissions from the construction industry by up to 40%, which could have a dramatic global impact in the battle against climate change. The panel were extremely impressed with the practical potential of the research, which they felt pushed the boundaries of the study field.

Abbey said: I feel honoured to be awarded the Award for my research topic.  Changes to the built environment will be the forefront in helping combat the rise in the global C0₂ emissions.  It is so important to consider sustainable alternatives within the construction industry.

As my research has shown, there is huge potential within the strength of recreated Roman concrete, which can help reduce concrete’s C0₂ by up to 40%.  Climate change is paramount, and was the leading factor to begin this research and hopefully work towards a greener future.”

Three students also received Highly Commended awards:

• Lois Cook, BSc Chemistry (School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences), for her project on the development of a galvanic pH change system for autonomous electrochemical sensors used to determine trace metals in seawater;
• Sara Faulkner, BEng Aeronautical Engineering (School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics), for her final year project on the location of the most efficient solar cell on the foresail of a cruising 34ft yacht;
• Claudia Hartley, BA Textiles with Business Studies (School of Art Design and Media) for her dissertation exploring the potential of wool as a sustainable fibre.

Winter 2016 Winner: Holly Budge, MA Sustainable Design, School of Art Design and Media

At the Winter Graduation ceremony in February 2016, a campaign to combat elephant poaching and the ivory trade won the university’s first Environmental Award.

Her ’96 Elephants A Day’ campaign – 96 being the current daily poaching rate in Africa – calls on people to sign a petition to end the ivory trade and highlights the devastating impact of the trade. Holly uses vegetable ivory, a sustainable palm nut from the Amazon Rainforest, to make alternative jewellery and to raise awareness of this crisis. The campaign will be showcased in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong later in 2016.

Holly said: “I am delighted to win the Environmental Sustainability Award. Part of the originality of my campaign is in avoiding gruesome and shocking imagery to portray the facts. It is not about scaring people, it’s about sharing the enormity of the elephant poaching crisis. It’s about presenting the facts to raise awareness and make a positive change. This award plays an important role in helping my campaign to reach out to a bigger audience. The African elephant is facing the greatest crisis in decades. Now is the time to take action!”

Three students also received Highly Commended Awards:

• Benjamin Miles, BA Hons Business Management (Brighton Business School), for his project on the exploration of 3-D printing as a viable long-term green technology for the manufacturing industry.
• Jim Wilson, MA Sustainable Design (School of Art Design and Media) for his exhibition to investigate whether the University can embrace a more sustainable policy when developing its estate.
• Sarah Wagstaff, MSc Geographical Information Systems and Environmental Management (School of Environment and Technology) for her project on the use of GIS to monitor air quality.