Environment and sustainability
We are building a culture throughout Middlesex that is committed to sustainability in all that we do. This work is particularly meaningful to our students around the world and that is an important reason that we see it as an area of focus.
Our dedication to sustainability globally
We will fully embed sustainability in research, education, external engagement and in our campus operations in the UK and around the world.
Our dedication to sustainability should be reflected in who we choose to partner with, what and how we teach our students and in our research focus and research culture.
Local and global efforts to safeguard the environment
We will make concerted efforts to work with our staff and student communities to reduce our local impact on the environment. To do this, we propose that we work towards a carbon neutral London campus by 2050. We will also support global efforts to safeguard the environment and natural resources for future generations.
Maximising our research strengths
Our commitment is also reflected in our research strengths around the environment. In the UK, we are involved in water testing with LBBC Group, with whom we also collaborate in an EU-funded project to develop a systems approach to large-scale flood risk assessment and management. We have seen our students’ passion for sustainability in their award-winning entries in MDX Enactus Society’s sustainable design competition, from converting scooters to electric scooters to clothing made from upcycled material including tea bags.
Looking globally, research in MDX Mauritius has resulted in a free mobile app that allows individuals to calculate, monitor and forecast their carbon footprint and, as a result, to help mitigate it.
Success stories from our community
Research driven by sustainability in the UK and Mauritius
Our Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research is collaborating across disciplines with UAL and the Open University on the Fostering Sustainable Practices project. This investigates the role of creative entrepreneurship and design in micro and small fashion enterprises as a potential driver for a more sustainable fashion industry.
Research colleagues in Mauritius are addressing multiple environmental issues on the island, often in collaboration with other universities locally and internationally, and have developed an air quality monitoring system along with other solutions.
Instilling sustainability values in future professionals
A flagship of innovative teaching, practice-based learning and collaboration, the MDX Living Pavilion project has with sustainability at its heart. It gives BSc Architectural Technology students in the UK the opportunity to create an evolving multi-purpose space on campus using sustainable materials and drawing from nature-inspired concepts. The space increases users’ connectivity to the environment and is an asset to our campus.
Our students have experienced the project lifecycle from planning, design development, delivery through to completion. In doing so, students collaborated with 18 companies at various stages, as well as with the University’s Estates, Executive and other professional teams, and Barnet’s Local Authority.
The project has inspired students to embrace sustainable resources while giving them unique experience in construction and project management. All of this means that the MDX Living Pavilion enhances student portfolios and helps them stand out to future employers. Since it was first built, the Pavilion has seen continuous development and it is used as a practice-based project for a variety of courses.
We want to hear from you
We have set the scene with some examples of the work we do in this area. We know this is not a complete list by any means, so now we are looking for your help.
Help us enhance our reputation and build up a better picture of activity by sharing examples of your work and from outside Middlesex.
More on our themes
Find out more about the themes and help us to build up a picture of work around them.
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Want to share more detail or files with us? We are very keen to hear more.
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