What is the University of Warwick’s Living Lab?

Living Labs offer a hands-on way to conduct research that targets community research needs while engaging various stakeholders and sharing data and findings. At the University of Warwick, our campuses provide a diverse array of habitats and sustainability projects at our feet.

As a student, participating in a Living Lab is an ideal way to gain hands-on, ‘real-world’ experience. This could be from completing one of the available projects (or proposing your own!) for your dissertation or for a URSS project. If you do not have the time to commit to a research project, there are plenty of other ways to get involved and gain skills. For example, the Energy & Sustainability Team hosts monthly events, including biodiversity walks, energy tours, and coppicing that you can sign up for. There is something for everyone!

My experiences

As an undergraduate studying Global Sustainable Development, I was fortunate that some of the modules I took utilised the campus as a Living Lab. The fieldwork on these modules ranged from environmental surveying (including river sampling and small mammal surveys), through to devising projects aimed at increasing the wellbeing benefits from greenspace around the campus. This experience not only enriched my learning outside the traditional classroom, but also familiarised me with (some of) the various projects being undertaken by the University.

During my third year, I used Central Campus as a study site for my dissertation, “In troubled waters: Assessing the impact of urbanisation on river ecosystems in the West Midlands”. Within this, I designed my own research project with guidance from my supervisor, including selecting three suitable sub-sites for sampling on campus. I borrowed river sampling equipment from my department alongside pollution probes from Life Sciences. This access to specialised equipment enhanced my research and it is unlikely I could have accessed such expensive kit elsewhere. The data I collected was passed onto the Energy & Sustainability Team; it felt good knowing it would have wider value beyond my dissertation.

Today, as a second-year PhD student, I continue to be involved in the Living Lab. Earlier this year, I was trained in Riverfly Sampling as part of the Urban Riverfly scheme. Since then, colleagues from across the University and myself conduct monthly Riverfly samples. This provides insight into the invertebrates present in our rivers and contributes to a UK-wide project. It is also a great opportunity to network with colleagues I may not otherwise engage with.

Final thoughts

Being involved in the Living Lab has been very rewarding. Gaining real-world experience such as in environmental surveying has been invaluable. Moreover, it is fulfilling knowing that I have and continue to contribute to my community and the advancement of the campus’s sustainability goals. If you are interested, I encourage you to explore the opportunities available!