Category: Research

Newhaven fort with the Dieppe ferry

Sustainable shipping: University of Brighton investigates renewable energy solutions for UK ports

Brighton researchers have teamed up with Newhaven Port to explore how renewable energy can support cleaner shipping & reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The UK has a long-standing history as a maritime nation and relies heavily on the sector, with 95% of imports (by weight) arriving by sea. In 2019, the sector supported 227,100 jobs and contributed £18.7 billion to the economy. Yet domestic ships accounted for 5 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (MtCO2e) that year – roughly the same as the annual emissions of over one million cars – highlighting the challenge of decarbonising this vital industry.

Against this backdrop, the University of Brighton has been awarded significant funding to investigate practical ways to supply Newhaven Port and its vessels with sustainable energy.

Continue reading “Sustainable shipping: University of Brighton investigates renewable energy solutions for UK ports” →

Christina CammLeave a comment
exhibition artwork designed by Alice Strutt

Sustainable Design MA at Brighton: Real student experience in research-led projects

Our Sustainable Design MA offers more than just academic exploration, it opens doors to meaningful, research-led projects that allow students to engage with real-world issues through creative and interdisciplinary approaches.

One example is a recent initiative led by joint course leader, Dr Sally Sutherland, which investigates the impact of gambling on LGBTQ+ communities using creative research methods.

In this blog, we hear from Alice Strutt, a student who had the opportunity to be involved and learn more about their pivotal role in the project.

Continue reading “Sustainable Design MA at Brighton: Real student experience in research-led projects” →

Christina CammLeave a comment
vineyard fields and countryside

Sussex food and wine sector explores digital tools for industry-wide benefits

The Growing Sussex project aims to develop the region’s agricultural and wine industries by integrating advanced private 5G technology, paving the way for smarter, greener farming practices while creating new opportunities for the local economy.

As a core delivery partner, the University of Brighton is launching a dedicated 5G network – a secure wireless network that allows devices to communicate faster and more reliably – at its Moulsecoomb campus. This hub will serve as a centre for research, skills training, and technological development, helping participating producers and growers adopt data-driven, sustainable growing methods.

Continue reading “Sussex food and wine sector explores digital tools for industry-wide benefits” →

Christina CammLeave a comment
Duncan Baker Brown

University of Brighton spotlights student-led sustainable innovation at industry conference

University of Brighton’s Duncan Baker-Brown is leading key discussions on sustainable architecture at FutureBuild 2025, one of the UK’s largest construction industry events.

As pressure mounts for the architecture and construction industries to embrace sustainability, Duncan Baker-Brown, Principal Lecturer and Climate Literacy Champion at the University of Brighton, will lead critical discussions at FutureBuild 2025, spotlighting how architects can drive the shift towards a more circular and eco-friendly built environment that benefits both people and the planet.

Continue reading “University of Brighton spotlights student-led sustainable innovation at industry conference” →

Christina CammLeave a comment
Paul Cottingham Trust scholarship

University of Brighton announces one of the UK’s first scholarships focused on the study of trans inclusion

A PhD scholarship focused on trans and non-binary inclusion has been launched by the University of Brighton in collaboration with The Paul Cottingham Trust.

The scholarship will provide a talented researcher with financial support and access to world-class resources, to develop a project focusing on trans and non-binary inclusion within the broad remit of supporting health, wellbeing, and dignity in health and social care. It will be awarded to a candidate who is committed to making a difference to the wider trans community and will provide a unique opportunity for in-depth research that can explore the issues and opportunities for trans people.
Continue reading “University of Brighton announces one of the UK’s first scholarships focused on the study of trans inclusion” →

Joanna TurnerLeave a comment

Exhibition on next generation architecture to transform University of Brighton to ‘gaming tourism’ destination

University of Brighton will host a tech-inspired exhibition exploring how the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in architecture can transform the gaming industry.

The two-week long exhibition titled “Game on: Level-up. City for Gamers” is designed to showcase how AI tools could be used to create futuristic gaming environments, drawing on how they speed up the design process, allowing for quicker, data-driven decisions that provide gamers with a fresh, immersive experience.

AI generated building
AI generated building in AI landscape
AI generated building
Continue reading “Exhibition on next generation architecture to transform University of Brighton to ‘gaming tourism’ destination” →

Laura RubyLeave a comment

Book event 7th June

On Friday the 7th June we are holding an event in Mithras House to celebrate three brilliant new books that have recently published by colleagues from the Architecture and Interior Architecture programmes at University of Brighton.

Event details: 12 midday, Mithras House, Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 4AT.

Please email Professor Andrew Viljoen: a.viljoen@brighton.ac.uk to book your place on this fascinating event.

Urban Food Mapping book cover

The event kicks off with two concurrent workshops/ seminars about Urban Food Mapping, and Domesticity Under Siege. At 4pm we will host a joint book event and reception including a conversation chaired by curator and consultant, Vanessa Norwood about the three books drawing together strands that connect them. 

We will then join the private view opening of Architecture and Design End of Year Show.

Continue reading “Book event 7th June” →

Laura RubyLeave a comment
Research team and John McFall outside zero gravity plane

Parabolic flight research with European Space Agency

Rachel Forss, Senior Lecturer in Podiatry with the School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences tells us about her parabolic flight research.

This project is investigating the Gravitational Effects on Lower Limb Perfusion. It developed following a meeting as part of the Centre for Regenerative Medicines and Devices, where I was introduced to Nicolas Miche, who has previous experience with parabolic flight research. We were interested in exploring microgravity research and the group wanted to explore the field of wound healing and microgravity exposure. After some discussion and research into the area I identified that the factor that would be suitable for investigating in the time frames available would be blood circulation.

Continue reading “Parabolic flight research with European Space Agency” →

Laura RubyLeave a comment
Student Erin Saltmarsh (far right) and the DEPLOY project, photograph copyright Novespace

Walking in the air: University of Brighton researchers touch down after testing ground-breaking devices in zero gravity

Researchers have spent last week suspended in space-like conditions as they put two experiments through their paces during weightless parabolic flights.

The two projects tested, GELL-P and DEPLOY!, both have potential applications for space exploration and on earth. Rachel Forss from the School of Sport and Health Sciences and the Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Devices who led the GELL-P project said of the flight: “It was amazing! A bit like swimming underwater but with less resistance and control. A unique experience; the zero g is quite pleasant, but the 1.8g on either side is what makes it tiring.”

Continue reading “Walking in the air: University of Brighton researchers touch down after testing ground-breaking devices in zero gravity” →

Stephanie ThomsonLeave a comment
Staff and students representing the Gell-P and DEPLOY! projects sitting with five at the back and three people in the front

Last minute checks for research teams as countdown for weightless flights begins

Researchers practice for zero gravity flight to put ground-breaking experimental devices through their paces

The University of Brighton teams, including Aerospace Engineering MEng student Erin Saltmarsh, will have just 20 seconds at a time to run tasks in weightless conditions.

During each flight the plane will climb to an altitude of 7,500m before the aircraft goes into a 3000m high roller coaster climb and fall during which weightlessness will be experienced for about 20 seconds. This will happen 30 times in each of the three planned flights. Not surprisingly teams will be given anti-nausea jabs prior to the flights. Staff and students from the Schools of Architecture,Technology and Engineering, School of Sport and Health Sciences, Centre for Regenerative Medicines and Devices and Advanced Engineering Centre representing the Gell-P and DEPLOY! Projects gathered to go through a series of tightly choreographed tasks in preparation for the flights at the end of the month.

The Gell P team working on the project
Lecturer and student with VC showing her the project
Student Erin standing in room with project equipment
Continue reading “Last minute checks for research teams as countdown for weightless flights begins” →

Laura RubyLeave a comment