Inaugural Symposium: The Role of Higher Education Institutes and Life Cycle Assessment in Achieving Sustainable Futures
The Imperial Network of Excellence in Sustainability through Life Cycle Approaches aims to connect life cycle-related research and researchers. In their Inaugural Symposium, which will bring together scholars, practitioners and policymakers to discuss and explore the critical roles that higher education institutes (HEIs) and life cycle assessment (LCA) play in fostering sustainable futures. The symposium aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, collaborative research, and strategic partnerships that can lead to impactful solutions for global sustainability challenges.
Key Themes
- Role of Higher Education Institutes in Sustainability
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for Sustainable Development
- Policy and Governance for Sustainable and net zero futures
These themes will tie together and emphasise the role of higher education and life cycle assessment applications in creating sustainable futures.
The Symposium will consist of keynote speakers in the morning, followed by paper and poster presentations, and a panel discussion in the afternoon. The paper and poster sessions are open to all students and postdocs working in the area of life cycle assessment or sustainable futures to present their work and prizes will be awarded to the best posters.
Agenda for the day
9.00-9.30 Registration and coffee
9.30-9.45 Welcome/housekeeping
Mirabelle Muuls (Associate Professor in Economics, co-Director of the School of Sustainability and co-Director of the Hitachi-Imperial Centre for Decarbonisation and Natural Climate Solutions, Imperial College London)
9.45-10.50 Keynote speakers
9.45-10.00- Marcelle McManus (Professor of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Director Sustainable Energy Systems Research Centre, University of Bath) PRESENTING ONLINE
‘Industrial Decarbonisation: From linear to circular: a life cycle lesson’
10.00-10.15- Harriet Wallace (Direct of Sustainability, Imperial College London)
‘How can universities contribute towards sustainable futures’
10.15-10.30- Richard Murphy (Professor of Life Cycle Assessment, University of Surrey)
‘Filling knowledge gaps with LCA: an example of progress and challenges’
10.30-10.45 – Carly Whittaker (Senior Carbon Scientist, Forest Research)
‘Comparing the life cycle carbon balances of different land use systems: Wind, solar or forests?’
10.50-11.00 Coffee break
11.00-12.15 paper presentation session 1
12.15-13.15 Lunch and posters
13.15-14.15 paper presentation session 2
14.15-14.30 Coffee break
14.30-16.00 Panel session + Q&A
Jem Woods (Professor of Sustainable Development, Imperial College London) MODERATOR
Katy Armstrong (Environmental Sustainability Scientist, Unilever)
Jenny Baker (Professor of Industrial Decarbonisation, University of Bath)
Aiduan Borrion (Professor of Environmental Engineering, University College London)
Matthew Brander (Personal Chair of Carbon Accounting, The University of Edinburgh)
Michael Goldsworthy (Head of Climate Impact, Drax)
Richard Murphy (Professor of Life Cycle Assessment, University of Surrey)
Robert Pell (Founder and CEO of Minviro)
Rachael Rothman (Professor of Sustainable Chemical Engineering, Co-Director Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, University of Sheffield)
16.00-16.30 Closing remarks + poster and paper presentation prizes
Jem Woods (Professor of Sustainable Development, Imperial College London)
16.30 onwards– drinks reception/coffee
Please note this event is in person only
Registration has now closed
Abstract submission has now closed
How to get here
The event will be hosted at Imperial College London, in the City and Guild Building on the South Kensington Campus, which is easily accessible by public transport. To get to the City and Guild Building, please take the London underground to South Kensington Station (District, Circle and Piccadilly lines) and follows the signs for the museums and Royal Albert Hall. Imperial College London is located on Exhibition Road next to the Science Museum. The City and Guild Building is accessed through the entrance on Exhibition Road. For more information on how to get to Imperial College London’s South Kensington Campus, please see the information on this page.
Parking is available but in limited capacity, and if you do require parking, please let us know as soon as possible so it can be arranged.