Member Article

Leeds Met industry-led research shortlisted for Guardian University Award

Industry-led research by Leeds Metropolitan’s School of Built Environment and Engineering has been shortlisted for a Guardian University Award in the category of Business Partnership.

The research touches on two themes for thermally upgrading buildings; design and implementation and looking at how cost effective, practical and affordable upgrades can be delivered, avoiding condensation and moisture problems.

Research partners are Leeds Environmental Design Associates (LEDA) co-operative who specialise in sustainable buildings and the SURE Solid Wall Insulation CIC (SURE) social enterprise group who provide insulation for hard-to-treat properties.

Professor Chris Gorse, Director of the Leeds Sustainability Institute at Leeds Metropolitan University, commented: “To be shortlisted for this award is a real coup and a testament to the dedication and hard work of our research team and partners.

“It’s an inspiring project because it demonstrates that when local community organisations engage with research they can improve people’s lives and it shows that academic-business collaborations can produce solutions that neither could achieve alone.

“ It is innovative because by concentrating effort on both design and implementation the research has developed previously unknown solutions for controlling moisture in cost effective practical renovations.

“The research has benefitted the community directly who have had their homes improved by LEDA and SURE. We also would like to thank Leeds City Council and the Latch and Canopy housing projects who have greatly assisted us in this work.

“The research has a wider reach to other future eco-refurbishments across the UK. We are currently engaged in a Department of Energy and Climate Change study which is likely to benefit from the findings of this research project.”

The annual award ceremony will be held in London on Wednesday 26th February.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .

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