Sustainability

Here are some examples of externally-funded research projects at Kingston University. Explore our research impact case studies to find out more about the impact of our research.

If you are interested in supporting projects relating to the UN SDGs, you can find out more through our Support Us webpage, our gift acceptance policy, or by emailing the Development Team.

• Healthy Energy Efficient Dwellings (HEED)
  Led by Professor Heba Elsharkawy, this Medical Research Council–funded project examines how indoor pollutants, retrofit strategies and occupant behaviour affect health and comfort in UK homes.
• Carbon dioxide capture with thermochemical heat storage
  Dr Sahand Hosouli evaluates the environmental performance of integrating CO₂ capture with thermochemical heat‑storage technologies to support cleaner energy systems.
• Landscape structure, seed dispersal and tropical forest regeneration
  Dr Kerry Brown investigates how landscape patterns shape seed dispersal and forest recovery to inform tropical biodiversity conservation.
• Sensibee
  Led by Dr Gordon Hunter, this project develops digital tools that help communities and organisations understand and respond to environmental and social sustainability challenges.
• Communal heat pump retrofit
  Dr Sahand Hosouli, with Kingston University students Toby Farley‑Hills and Forough Raeisi, assesses the sustainability of retrofitting a residential development with a communal heat‑pump system using a multi‑criteria decision‑making approach.
• Refugees and vulnerable migrants needs assessment 2024–2025
  Led by Dr Ghada Elkhoury and Professor Shereen Nabhani-Gebara, this partnership with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames explores the needs of refugees and vulnerable migrants to inform inclusive local policy.
• The Abundance Project
  Professor Tushna Vandrevala leads research to enhance cultural and green inclusion in social prescribing, with the aim of addressing ethnic inequalities in mental health across southwest London.
• Ethical implications of employee and customer digital footprints
  Dr Prerna Tambay examines how SMEs navigate ethical challenges of collecting and using digital‑footprint data.

Our Knowledge Exchange and Research Institutes (KERIs) showcase the University’s leading research and knowledge‑exchange activity. Bringing together expertise from across disciplines, they address both current and emerging challenges, and help strengthen Kingston University's impact on industry, policy and the professions.

Our KERIs also support the ambitions of the Town House Strategy by enhancing students' life chances, supporting staff ambitions and contributing to a more sustainable future – socially, economically and environmentally.  

If you are looking for opportunities to collaborate with our experts, explore our Knowledge Exchange and Research Institutes webpages.

The Student Academic Development and Research Associate Scheme (SADRAS+) brings staff and students together to design and deliver educational research projects that enhance the academic experience of under‑represented student groups at Kingston University.

The scheme supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) with three pathways available: Student-Staff, Staff‑Led and Student‑Led.

Staff and students can submit projects and receive up to £1,000 to support their research activities. To find out more, or apply, please email [email protected].

Connor Wilson – Director of Estates and Sustainability

Connor leads all aspects of estate, property and department management, including the University's long-term estate strategy and the associated programme of work. He ensures the estate remains legally compliant and continues to meet the changing needs of the University efficiently and effectively. He also leads on operational sustainability across the estate.

Leo McGregor-Davies – Associate Director of Compliance and Operations

Leo manages and develops the team, while overseeing a wide range of operational and compliance matters across the University.

Sivakhami Sivanesan – Biodiversity and Landscape Manager

Sivakhami leads the development and implementation of policies and plans that set out the University's responsibilities under wildlife and environmental legislation as well as our aims and commitments for protecting and enhancing local biodiversity.

Caroline Cochrane – Strategic Operational Lead for Sustainability

Caroline leads the implementation of the Strand 2 of the University's Sustainability Plan and the Environmental Management System (EMS). She leads work on operational sustainability, with a focus on reducing the University's Scope 3 emissions and environmental impacts across areas including operations, waste and transport. She also sits on the ISEP Circular Economy Steering Group, contributing to industry guidance on embedding and delivering circular solutions.

Stephanie Todd – Strategic Operational Lead for Sustainability

Stephanie leads on operational sustainability, working to reduce the University's environmental impact while maintaining compliance with environmental legislation.

Dr Tania Dias Fonseca – Strategic Academic Lead for Sustainability

Tania leads the implementation Strand 1 of the University's Sustainability Plan: Sustainability in Learning, Teaching, Research, and Knowledge Exchange. She works with senior leadership, colleagues, and students to embed sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals across the curriculum, ensuring they are a core part of the student experience and central to Kingston University's research and civic contributions.