UCD Sustainability supports 17 projects in new seed funding scheme

UCD Sustainability has launched 17 projects under its seed funding programme, funded through the Higher Education Authority’s performance funding.

These include 9 research projects and 8 practical initiatives, all involving interdisciplinary teams and engagement with partners outside UCD. The participants span the range of academic disciplines in UCD and include both academic and professional staff.

Projects cover a wide range of topics from the cardiovascular risk posed by microplastics, the nexus between art and research in sustainability, nature-based solutions for flood risk management, food choice, education for sustainability, urban hedgerows and carbon literacy.

Speaking at Monday’s launch, Vice President for Sustainability Professor Tasman Crowe said, “We had 69 applications which really reflects the depth and breadth of enthusiasm for this kind of work in UCD.  It was a tough job to select the winning projects and we really look forward to supporting them as they contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“This kind of work is essential if UCD is going to fulfil its responsibility and its potential to contribute to addressing the critical challenges we face and moving us all towards a more sustainable future. There will be a further call for more practical initiatives in due course and also a scheme to support student-led projects as we further foster and support ideas and innovations for sustainability led by the UCD Community.”

The seed funding launch took place during SDG Week, which mobilises annually in September to bring together communities, demand urgency and supercharge solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals. The selected projects and applicants are listed below.

Sustainability Research, Innovation and Impact - 9 Projects 

• Dr Eoin Brennan, UCD School of Medicine, The Plastic Pulse: Understanding Micro(nano)plastic-Induced Cardiovascular Risk
• Dr Tomas Buitendijk, UCD School of Business / (opens in a new window)iCRAG SFI Centre in Applied Geosciences, Delivering MESSAGE - the Marine & Energy Social Sciences & Humanities Interdisciplinary Research Group
• Emer O’Boyle, Director, (opens in a new window)UCD Parity Studios ARISE - Art and Research in Sustainability and Environment
• Dr Payam Sajadi, UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, Optimising Sponge Neighbourhoods: Integrating Nature-Based Solutions with Advanced Technologies (INHERITANCE)
• Dr Simona Grasso, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, Edible info: media, sustainability and food choice
• Dr Kevin Nolan, UCD School of Mechanical and Material Engineering, OMEGA: Open Modular wind Energy Generation Advancement
• Sophia Meeres, UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, UCD Trees Initiative: fostering knowledge, connections and innovation towards a landscape-based digital twin
• Dr Md Salauddin, UCD School of Civil Engineering, RECONCILE: Nature-based and eco-engineered solutions for the climate-resilient planning and sustainable management of Irish coastal and marine waters

Sustainability Initiatives - 8 projects

• Dr Mark d’Alton, Chair UCD Smarter Travel Group, Pilot Cycle Training Programme
• Dr Sarah Browne, UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, How we teach and learn:  Key competencies for engaging with education for sustainable development
• Dr Paul Kenny, UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, Experiential Learning for Architects: Delivering Sustainable and Inclusive Design
• Dr Mary Sekiya, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, Nitrile Glove Recycling and Sustainability Outreach: The UCD SRI Experience
• Sophie Von Maltzan, UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, The Urban Hedgerow Project
• Lorna Dodd, UCD Library, Creating a Circular Space: Repair Café and Library of Things
• Kirsten Southard, BSc Sustainability Programme Manager, UCD College of Science, Sustainability Community Space
• Caroline Mangan, UCD Global, Carbon Literacy Training Programme for Learning Abroad students at UCD 

For more information on the seed funding scheme and full details of the funded projects, contact (opens in a new window)vpsustainability@ucd.ie.