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.
• Mayors for a drinkable Thames project
  Dr Brian Rooney, Professor James Barker and Dr Francesca Mackenzie are working with local councillors and mayors to improve the water quality of the River Thames. Read our article: Kingston University joins key project to make River Thames drinkable.
• Let's dispose of unused medicines safely
  Led by Dr Diyan Gunasekera, working in collaboration with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Science Foundation Year students and local pharmacies, to inform the public on how to dispose of medication while causing minimal environmental harm. Read our article: Kingston University and Kingston Council launch project to promote safe medicine disposal.
• ReFibres
  Professor Vasileios Argyriou and partners explore fibre‑recovery and reuse technologies to reduce textile waste and advance circular‑economy innovation.
• 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.
• 6G-VERSUS – 6G vertical trails for sustainability
  Led by Professor Sankar Sivarajah, this major international collaboration tests how emerging 6G technologies can drive sustainability across sectors including manufacturing, mobility and public services.

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].

Dr Tania Dias Fonseca – Strategic Academic Lead for Sustainability

Tania leads 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.

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 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.

Victoria Pontifex – Sustainability Officer

Victoria contributes towards the successful delivery the operational elements of Kingston University's Sustainability Plan and its progress towards its net zero carbon targets, with a particular focus on the implementation and maintenance of the Environmental Management System (EMS). She also leads the Green Impact Program and Champions Network at Kingston University.

Rachel Walls – Operations Coordinator

Rachel provides support to the Operations Team, coordinating key activities in the areas of estate compliance, operations, energy management, sustainability, and biodiversity across the University. Rachel is also the main beekeeper for the University, managing the hives at Kingston Hill.

David Nicholson – Project Manager

David has experience in Kingston University's dedicated Facilities Management Company, KUSCO, and in managing the University's halls of residence. He works to contribute to Kingston University's goal of net zero by 2038/2039.