Sustainability

Some examples of externally-funded research projects are listed below. You can explore further through our research impact case studies webpage.

If you are interested in exploring ways to support SDG-related projects at Kingston University, please read our Support Us webpage, our gift acceptance policy, or email 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 KU 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 identifies the needs of refugees and vulnerable migrants to inform inclusive local policy.
• The Abundance Project
  Professor Tushna Vandrevala leads work to enhance cultural and green inclusion in social prescribing to address 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 in collecting and using digital‑footprint data.

Our Knowledge Exchange and Research Institutes (KERIs) showcase the University’s leading research and knowledge‑exchange activity. They draw on our expertise to tackle current and emerging challenges across disciplines. They also advance our ambitious Town House Strategy mission to enhance students' life chances, support staff ambitions and strengthen Kingston University's impact on industry, policy and the professions. This will enable a 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 & Research Associate Scheme (SADRAS+) offers staff and students the opportunity to work in partnership on the design and implementation of educational research projects that enhance the academic experience of under‑represented student groups at the University.

The scheme aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and includes three pathways: Student–Staff, Staff‑Led and Student‑Led.

Both staff and students can submit projects and receive up to £1,000 to support their research project activities. If you are a student or staff member interested in applying or learning more about the scheme, please email [email protected].

Connor Wilson – Director of Estates and Sustainability

Connor leads all aspects of estate, property and department management. He is responsible for the long-term plan for the estate and the associated implementation plan programme of work, ensuring that the estate is legislatively compliant and continues to serve the changing needs of the University efficiently and effectively. He is responsible for leading on all aspects of operational sustainability.

Leo McGregor-Davies – Associate Director of Compliance and Operations

Leo is responsible for managing and developing this team and for a wide range of other operational and compliance matters across the University.

Sivakhami Sivanesan – Biodiversity and Landscape Manager

Sivakhami leads work to create and implement the suite of policies and plans which lay out the University's biodiversity responsibilities under wildlife and compliance legislation as well as the aims and commitments for local biodiversity.

Caroline Cochrane – Strategic Operational Lead for Sustainability

Caroline is responsible for implementation of the KU Sustainability Plan strand 2 and environmental management system (EMS). She leads actions on operational sustainability, focusing on minimising the University's Scope 3 impacts across operations, waste, transport and environmental impact. 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, focusing on minimising the University's environmental impact, whilst ensuring its operations remain compliant with environmental legislation.

Dr Tania Dias Fonseca – Strategic Academic Lead for Sustainability

Tania is responsible for implementation of the KU Sustainability Plan Strand 1 of the Sustainability Plan – Sustainability in Learning, Teaching, Research, and Knowledge Exchange. She collaborates with senior leadership, colleagues, and students to integrate sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals into the curriculum, ensuring it is a core component of the student experience and central to Kingston's research and civic contributions.