Kingston University London

Sarah Bowness is Graduations and Events Officer, in the Development Office which is responsible for graduations, alumni relations and fundraising, and university events.

 

Who or what first inspired you to become involved in sustainability?

Crikey, there are so many things! Perhaps see what I’m passionate about below for more!
Actually, I think it’s just that I became aware of my own responsibility to reduce my impact on the resources available to us, and hoping that if I can do even small things then everyone can do the same to make a big difference. My other half Adam has been doing his bit for years, like using energy saving bulbs when they really weren’t very good, etc. so he also inspired me to do more.

 

What would you like to see Kingston University doing more of?

The University already does quite a lot, but sorting offices that are too hot in winter (and summer!) and installing motion detector lights everywhere would be top of my list. It’s sad to see rooms lit up all night just because someone couldn’t be bothered (or forgot) to turn the lights off.

Plus, my pet hate is the polystyrene take away boxes in the Picton Room and elsewhere, can’t Avenance get something else, like cardboard ones, or just encourage people to eat in and not at their desks?

 

What are you working on at the moment?

My work for the University doesn’t have a direct focus on sustainability, but I try and ensure I have done as much as possible to make my events as ‘green’ as possible. We re-use lots of materials and are looking into paperless tickets amongst other things. I also want to get a duplex unit for our printer so we can print double-sided when we need to print stuff out.    

I have been involved with Transition Town Kingston for four years, and have been editing their newsletter. Lately I’ve not had time to do much, but I hope to be able to again soon. Transition Towns encourage local people to try and live within the means of the community ultimately, but at the moment it’s about awareness raising and bringing together similar groups to achieve goals together. There are some very inspiring people in TTK who make me want to do more.

 

What sustainability issues are you most passionate about?

Lots! The amount of waste and plastic packaging that we seem to demand in the shops. I don’t want my cucumbers or lettuces in wrappers, they have their own natural wrappers!  Landfill and rubbish in the seas and oceans are things that I get cross about too. Plus the destruction of the rainforests, but I think countries in Indonesia and South America are becoming more aware of their responsibilities. 

 

Why are you an eco-angel? And what is your biggest eco-sin?

Not sure I am an angel, I am full of good intentions but don’t always manage to be as good as I would like, much like many people. For example we can’t recycle much at home as we live on a really busy road so don’t get all the different collections, but I do compost kitchen waste. So my effort at recycling is a sin! But I do try and make up for it at work!

Flying probably is many people’s biggest eco-sin, so I’m looking into train travel options when I want to go on holiday. Last year I went to Germany by train, and it was so comfy and easy. Trains after all can drop you in the centre of towns, rather than at out-of-town airports. Another eco-sin is that we drive to work, but we are sharing the car as Adam also works at KU! Plus the car is an old Morris Minor from 1959 so we’ve given her a new lease of life rather than rusting in a garage somewhere!

 

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Stuart Downward is a Lecturer and Director of Environmental Courses in the School Of Geography, Geology and Environment.

 

Who or what first inspired you to become involved in sustainability?

I undertook my PhD research on sustainable river management in the nineties. It made me realise that there were opportunities for river restoration that can meet environmental as well as social and economic needs.

 

What would you like to see Kingston University doing more of?

I’d like to see less packaging in the food and catering products available on campus. Having charging points for electric cars in all the car parks would be great! I also hope that the University will consider purchasing their electricity from a green provider (100% renewable) and invest more in thermally efficient buildings.

 

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently working on 2 things: The first is an investigation of sustainable water management in South Africa. The second project is in partnership with Lynsey Stafford, Biodiversity & Landscape Administrator at the University, who is planning the restoration of the Hogsmill River at Knights Park.

 

What sustainability issues are you most passionate about?

Sustainable integrated transports! I am also passionate about alternative energy sources; while taking my students to Spain for their fieldtrip, I have clearly witnessed, over the years, the development of solar technologies.

 

Why are you an eco-angel?

Am I? I don't think of myself as an eco-angel; just an average guy who has a responsibility to live within my means.

 

What is your biggest eco-sin?

Without hesitation: Motor racing!!! I love driving round and round in circles, very fast!

 

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Jesse Scharf is a Campaigns Assistant at the Sustainability Hub.

 

Who or what first inspired you to become involved in sustainability?

My school was only a few miles away but because of the traffic the bus would take nearly an hour to get there. I could never work out why everyone was choosing to sit in their cars all day instead of getting on their bike. It didn’t make sense! For me sustainability is about a better way of doing things that is fun, relaxing and healthy and gets us away from things we all hate like traffic jams.

 

What would you like to see Kingston University doing more of?

Helping our students and eco-champions to spread the word and start making the changes that we need.

 

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m rolling out the Green Impact project. It’s an environmental award scheme for our offices and departments which had been incredibility successful at other universities in encouraging and motivating sustainable behaviour and choices. I’ll be looking for staff volunteers to start up teams so watch this space!

 

What sustainability issues are you most passionate about?

Food. It’s something we all enjoy and care about. It’s great to see people growing their own, learning how to cook and sharing healthily, sustainable and, most importantly, tasty food.

 

Why are you an eco-angel?

I have been a keen cyclist since I moved to London so that’s my main mode of transport at the moment. Also I can’t help switching off lights if I see them left on.

 

What is your biggest eco-sin?

Lots of little things.  I’m not doing as well as I could be in my efforts as a Part Time Carnivore.

 

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Phil Segall is an Information Assistant at the Kingston Hill LRC.

 

Who or what first inspired you to become involved in sustainability?

Growing up in the 80s, the "We've only got one planet" mantra was instilled in me from an early age through school, world events (particularly Greenpeace's activism at the time) Blue Peter appeals etc. As I got older I found many of my interests and values coincided with sustainable ideas and pratices. Although I wouldn't describe myself as politically-minded, I've found it inspiring since then to see these ideas battle their way onto the political agenda and feel this has started to provoke a concerted response at all levels. I think people are waking up to the fact that climate change is a genuine issue and are more conscious of the fact that we only have a limited and dwindling supply of natural resources which we need to be protect.

 

The work I have done here at Kingston University has always had an environmental element to it. This has ranged from encouraging energy-efficient use of PCs and other machinery to organising the ethical disposal of books, furniture and Waste Electrical Equipment. Through regular communication with the Sustainability Team, I came to hear about the Eco-Champions scheme. This initiative has given me the opportunity to become involved in a much broader range of activities relating to Sustainability.

 

What would you like to see Kingston University doing more of?

I feel there is a lot more which could be done in terms of energy savings around the University. Here in Information Services we have been pro-active in installing Power Save onto many of our public computers, thus saving up to £15,000 each year. I am sure this could be extended to several other areas of the University to provide instant and lasting savings. The number of active printers on campus is excessive and this is another area in which Information Services is actively involved in trying to reduce inefficiency.

 

Personally I very much hope departments are required to take responsibility for what they spend on electricity in future. This will help to ensure that the various sections of the University take ownership of their own energy management and are made aware of their carbon footprint.

 

What are you working on at the moment?

Along with other staff at Kingston Hill, I am helping to create a Community Garden on campus. This has been a real learning experience for me as I would not consider myself to be particularly green-fingered. I have been impressed by the horticultural smorgasboard we have developed so far, including vegetables (squashes, courgettes, pumpkins..) an assortment of herbs and flowers, as well as apple and pear trees.

 

This week, I've been involved in sorting and packing up items donated by departing students. Typical items recovered at the Seething Wells Halls of Residence included crockery & cutlery, electrical goods and clothing, as well as several dozen duvets. Last year 5 tonnes of rubbish were collected from halls in total. Useful items are taken away by The British Heart Foundation and Oxfam. Other local charities are also involved, with many of the duvets put to use in a local cats' home, for instance. Anything we really like, we take home with us (.. in accordance with the 'finders-keepers' principle)! I ended up with a book, a bottle opener and a slinky!

 

What sustainability issues are you most passionate about?

As a keen cyclist I have been proactive in campaigning for better cycle parking and changing facilities across campus and in trying to encourage staff to ditch their cars in favour of cycling to work, which is a much healthier option anyway! I'm keen to get more involved with the Bicycle Users Group (BUG) this year and help to represent other cyclists' concerns about pressing issues like bike security. I am also planning to attend the inaugural Southbank to Kingston bike ride on 30th June and will again be logging my miles as part of this year's London Cycling Challenge.

 

Why are you an eco-angel?

I'm quite persistent in trying to drive home messages about effective energy-saving practises and waste management. The relentless nagging probably makes me something of an eco-demon in many ways but if it gets the message across then frankly I'm not too bothered what I'm called!

 

What is your biggest eco-sin?

Flights abroad. I'm aware that air travel is the fastest growing cause of global warming and it may be some time before a realistic alternative to airline fuel (kerosene) can be found. Having said that, I find it encouraging that there are already major research projects in existance looking into the potential for using bio fuels made from natural substances like coconut oil (yes, coconut oil!) instead. Who knows? This could even be something Kingston University will help to pioneer in future. I like to think that some of the SEC students I see in the LRCs here at Kingston will one day contribute to the development of more environmentally-sound aviation.

 

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Wayne Hitchings is the University's Energy Manager.

 

Who or what first inspired you to become involved in sustainability?

Although I didn’t formally study it I have always been interested in the natural world and earth systems. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000’s that I became aware of Climate Change and started reading articles about it. Some of my inspiration to move into a field of carbon reduction came from documentaries like ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ and books such as ‘6 Degrees’. However, most of my understanding and passion for the subject came from my dissertation study which was titled ‘Carbon Emissions Trading and Climate Change’, it was a real eye opener and enabled me to dispel some of the myths you see in the newspapers and internet sites.

Once I had gained a greater understanding of climate change it gave me a moral imperative to make a difference both in my own life and to try and help others see how they can do their bit.

There was also of course the fact that it seemed a wise choice to move into the field at the time because you could see the green industry growing and jobs becoming available that will be around for my whole career.

 

What would you like to see Kingston University doing more of?

Engaging. The University has committed itself to carbon reduction targets and is carrying out a programme of energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects. These projects will get us part of the way to achieving the targets but active engagement from staff and students is vital in helping the University reach those goals.

 

Becoming more energy efficient also saves money and at a time when University funding is being cut it is even more important. Everyone can make a difference by making small and simple changes in their workplace or area. The principles are of course also applicable at home with the added benefit of whatever money gets saved goes straight into your pocket.

 

What are you working on at the moment?

Several energy efficiency projects including:

- Three lighting projects, at Seething Wells Halls of Residence, various buildings on the Penrhyn Road campus and Car Park D at Kingston Hill.
- A Photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installation on the roof of the John Galsworthy Building at Penrhyn Road.
- A number of Variable Speed Drive installations at the Knights Park Campus. These sound quite dull and well, they are but they also save a lot of energy in heating and air handling systems.
- Extending the University’s Automatic Metering System. This gives us a much greater idea of where all our energy is going and helps us target those areas that are particularly inefficient. It also helps us to verify that the bills are correct and we aren’t being overcharged.
- Reducing electrical capacity’s which saves us money on our bills.

I am also making sure the University complies with its obligations under the Governments Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC).

 

What sustainability issues are you most passionate about?

Not surprisingly Energy Efficiency. Reducing energy consumption both saves money and reduces carbon emissions.

I am also passionate about the use of renewable and low-carbon technologies. I get very frustrated when you see in the news or in documentaries, councils or local groups opposing their use for reasons like ‘they spoil the view’ or ‘they make too much noise’. I happen to think that wind farms and large solar arrays look great and improve the landscape, which is missing the point of course.

 

Why are you an eco-angel?

I guess I’ve already answered that above.

 

What is your biggest eco-sin?

It would probably be that I am a carnivore! I eat meat with almost every meal I have which of course is not good from a carbon point of view.

 

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Tom Roberts is the Research Associate on the Smart Communities Research project.

 

Who or what first inspired you to become involved in sustainability?

The destruction of rainforests and the plight of cetaceans was certainly an early inspiration. I remember being struck by the rapaciousness of human greed, the fragility of ecosystems and the finality of species extinction. An interest in this conflict between the limits of the biosphere and the ambitions of human growth – instrumental to the challenge of what we now call ‘sustainable development’ ­– has remained with me ever since. On a more upbeat note, I was also very fortunate to have benefitted from a number of inspirational teachers; the work of Professors Paul Ekins and John Proops on ecological economics was particularly instructive, as was a stint working for Jonathon Porrit’s sustainable development charity, Forum for the Future. I also drew much inspiration from literature and narrative as I believe, it is through these very differing cultural sensibilities that an appreciation for our human and natural world can be rekindled.

 

What would you like to see Kingston University doing more of?

I’ve recently arrived from Lancaster University where I worked part time as the Environmental Coordinator. One thing that I was particularly proud to be a part of, was the creation of GreenLancaster an award winning joint venture encouraging inter-departmental working on the promotion and delivery of sustainability issues across the campus and community. To date environmental volunteering work now forms an important part of the Lancaster experience, and everyone can benefit. Students gain from work experience, the chance to fatten out their C.V., and recognition of their contribution through a “[Lancaster] Achievement Award”; local organisations and community groups can benefit from student’s efforts, energy and ideas, and the local environment and community benefit too. It would be fantastic if courses at Kingston that already have a sustainability angle, could add further value by facilitating hands-on sustainability work in the community as part of their programmes.

 

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m currently working with Dr Ruth Rettie and Dr Kevin Burchell in the Business School on a project called Smart Communities. This is an action research project that examines a novel community process that aims to reduce home energy consumption. The three-year project draws on practice theory, social learning theory, the social norm approach, and community action best practice. It suggests that whilst much has been put on smart technologies, this is only part of the solution and there is a need to focus on people too. Participating householders in an area of Kingston have been given energy monitors to help them record their electricity usage, but also to enhance their energy literacy. So the project is also working with a primary school on energy literacy in the curriculum, establishing a local library to establish an eco gadget resource, organising a series of community workshops in conjunction with our other partners Transition Town Kingston the RBK Council Sustainability Team, and the Energy Saving Trust. It is a two year project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Energy and Communities Collaborative Venture.

 

What sustainability issues are you most passionate about?

It is hard to differentiate particular sustainability issues, as climate change is as much about energy usage and energy policy as it is about resource depletion and species extinction. As an environmental sociologist I’ve been particularly interested in the role of the social, or rather getting rid of the binary between the social and the natural world. Part of the problem it seems to me, is to ignore the hidden values within natural science, be it in risk assessment, taxonomy, or technology forecasting, whilst at the same time as dismissing alternative views and knowledges as being impartial and unscientific. The point is that such things are often presented as above public scrutiny, and yet scratch the surface and embedded within science and economics are inevitably social values. More recently, this has taken me on a somewhat unconventional sustainability path; it has led me to be interested in issues of public engagement, decision-making processes, and science and technology studies (STS).

 

Why are you an eco-angel?

I certainly wouldn’t identify myself as one. I’m certainly not oblivious to the consequences of my actions, and the unsustainability of the current global economy. I think part of the problem is to reify particular behaviours and positions and thereby accidentally alienate others. The world is a complex place and we are complex people with numerous vices and idiosyncrasies. No one is perfect, least of all me. Perhaps part of the problem is this issue of perception, an “eco-angel” is in danger of sounding somewhat sanctimonious and unappealing to the majority... My sense is to build on the work of my colleagues at the business school here at Kingston, and find ways of normalising green behaviours and practices. That said with the launch of our project I have become obsessed with switching things off, these energy monitors really help make energy usage visible.

 

What is your biggest eco-sin?

Hmm probably the odd flight to a conference, or to visit friends and family in other countries. Travel is a tough one, particularly as I don’t own a car and enjoy cycling when I’m here. Aviation is a massive contributor to climate change, and yet we use it to expand our mind, become aware of others, and ironically see first hand environmental damage. We need to cut back on it I suppose, but we need to be cognisant of doing so in a way that does not increase injustice and make the world a ‘bigger’ less sympathetic place.

 

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Steve Guilbert is a researcher in the School of Earth Sciences and Geography.

 

Who or what first inspired you to become involved in sustainability?

To be honest, I don’t think I could name one individual person or one epiphanal moment that inspired me to become involved in issues of sustainability.  In general terms, I guess a person’s upbringing is significant and plays an important role in shaping individual attitudes and behaviours with regard to range of issues including, presumably, ideas relating to the environment and sustainability.  I’m also a  geographer by training  so in the broadest sense I’ve always had an interest in what might be termed human-environment relations, but I’d be lying if I said that I deliberately set out on a path of environmental or sustainability research.  My stake, involvement and interest in sustainability comes as much, if not more, from me being  a citizen, tax-payer, father than it does from being an environmental social-scientist.  (If I absolutely had to choose somebody though it would be…probably… Tom and Barbara Good).

 

What would you like to see Kingston University doing more of?

I’ve worked at a number of Higher Education institutions and I think Kingston fairs very well by comparison when it comes to taking issues of sustainability seriously.  What I hope is that at Kingston, and across the HE sector in general, at a time of budget cuts and cost savings, sustainability issues and initiatives are not seen as soft targets or as luxuries that, according to some cost benefit analysis, can no longer be sustained.

 

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m current working on a Leverhulme Trust funded research project with colleagues from Exeter, Portsmouth, and Northampton Universities entitled ‘Lifestyles and Life-courses: the Social Context of Household Waste Management.  The project’s aim is to examine the what, who, and why of people’s attitudes and behaviours with respect to a broad range of household waste practices; how these waste practices are related to the various other social practices that make up a persons lifestyle; and how they change/have changed over the person’s life-course.  Understanding which people do or do not engage in sustainable household waste practices and why is the first step, we would argue, in producing effective, targeted policy aimed at steering waste practices in more pro-environmental directions.

 

What sustainability issues are you most passionate about?

From a conceptual point of view, I guess it’s the inseparability of the environmental, economic, social, and cultural components of sustainability.   Ideas of sustainability and social justice also interest me greatly particularly in the context fisheries and household waste management, which have been my two main areas of research.

 

Why are you an eco-angel?

I’m not.  I recognise the importance and imperative of living sustainably and I certainly do more than I used to, but I’m like nearly everybody in the sense that there is a gap between my values and my actions (i.e. what I believe and what I do).  I certainly could do more.  Having said that, I’m very fastidious when it comes to recycling, I find sorting and categorising recyclate an almost pleasurable experience (with the exception of one thing - see below).

 

What is your biggest eco-sin?

Disposable nappies.  We started off using re-usable, cotton nappies with both our children but after not long succumbed to the convenience of disposable ones.  Although these decisions have been accompanied by a degree of eco-guilt, they have been partly, if not excused, then explained by some of the findings of our research, which suggests that while having children can often make us more conscious of environmental issues and the need to live sustainably for the sake of future generations etc., it is also a stage in the life-course when it can be particularly difficult to find the time or muster the motivation to do anything positive about it. (The old value-action gap again!)

 

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Jana Bentley has just joined the Sustainability Team.

 

Who or what first inspired you to become involved in sustainability?

I find individual behaviour and ways of thinking very interesting. I respect people for having their own minds, but find it difficult to understand a lack of concern for the space you occupy. I cannot ever imagine not having a love for the outdoors, different landscapes, cultures, developments etc. I’ve always been passionate about sustainability. I graduated from the University of Southampton with a Masters in Integrated Environmental Studies and have been working professionally in the sector ever since.

 

What would you like to see Kingston University doing more of?

It is an exciting time at KU, with many great projects and inspiring people. I want to see more of what we’re doing, on a larger scale, reaching more people and tapping into all the great resources we already have, especially student-wise.

 

What are you working on at the moment?

I am working maternity cover for Nicola Corrigan as the Sustainability Facilitator at KU. My role involves facilitating and practically implementing sustainability throughout the organisation. I take a lead role on deliverance of the sustainability programme and carbon reduction initiatives.

 

What sustainability issues are you most passionate about?

In general, local travel, healthy living and efficiency.

 

Why are you an eco-angel?

Wouldn’t call myself an eco-angel. I work in the sustainability sector and I do enjoy living sustainably, for example by biking and catching the train, making conscious decisions in what/how I consume etc. I enjoy living this way, being more in control of my life in every single way.

 

What is your biggest eco-sin?

Gum. I love chewing gum.

 

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Tim Harries is based in the Department Of Strategy Marketing And Entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Business and Law and is the Senior Research Fellow on CHARM – an EPSRC /Digital Economy funded project.

 

Who or what first inspired you to become involved in sustainability?

I’ve done a lot of research into the social impacts of flooding – for example, the anxiety and disruption. This brought home to me how important it is to reduce CO2 emissions. Floods are one of the consequences of climate change, so our behaviour today will probably influence the number and severity of floods in twenty years time! Originally, I inherited my concern for the environment from my father, who used to be a tractor driver and objected to the damage caused by pesticides and herbicides.

 

What would you like to see Kingston University doing more of?

I only came to the university this January, but I’ve already seen some good things. For example, I like the fact that we have no bins in our office and so are forced to think about recycling whenever we have any rubbish! This is a good start, but we need to do more to close the convenience gap between sustainable behaviours and some of the habits we’ve fallen into.

 

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m managing a research project called CHARM that is trying to find out what influences people’s electricity consumption, exercise habits and other sustainable behaviours (for more information click here). Awareness of environmental issues is important for some people and the possibility of saving money or becoming healthier is important for others, but neither explains why behaviours remain so resistant to change. We want to find out to what extent individuals are influenced by how they perceive the behaviours of their friends, neighbours and families. For example, whether they shower less often if they know that my friends are doing the same. To find out, we’re conducting three experiments: one on Facebook, one using household electricity monitors and one using mobile phones that measure the amount of exercise you take.

 

What sustainability issues are you most passionate about?

Travel. As far as I can see, the fact that we often live so far from our friends and families has negative impacts not only on the environment but also on our ability to form and maintain close social ties with friends and family.

 

Why are you an eco-angel?

Although people sometimes mistake me for an eco-angel, I’m really just an ‘ascetic’ who’s grown up disliking the idea of unnecessary consumption and display. This isn’t necessarily a good thing. In my view, there’s a balance to be achieved between sustainable behaviours and the social stigma they attract if they’re too extreme.

 

What is your biggest eco-sin?

As per the above confession, I’m trying to learn to sin a little more. Rather than just change my own behaviour, I’m now concentrating on trying to change shared ideas of what is ‘normal’. And I can probably do this more effectively if I’m not seen as too ‘abnormal’ by the people I want to influence. For this reason, I’m actually trying to become more consumerist at the moment; so since 2009 I’ve bought my first ever car, heated the house more and started watching television after six years of abstinence.

 

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