Environment Network (UPEN)
As a next step in developing the University of Portsmouth Environment Network (UPEN), three themes have been identified that we would like to see flourish.
These themes and groupings are not rigid silos - teams and individuals might well make a contribution across several areas, or seek to add an area not highlighted here. They are:
- Ecosystem Complexity and Environmental Change
- Environmental Hazards and Engineering
- Sustainable Society
In addition, we have suggested some potential cross-cutting interest groups, to bring together individuals that can contribute methodological and/or epistemological approaches to the wider understanding of the thematic activity.
It is expected that this framework will exist under the continuing aims and objectives of UPEN and that it will inform the way in which we promote our activities and expertise externally.
We intend to hold two half day events, to provide opportunity for individuals and groups to feed into this process. On Wednesday 13th March we will hold a combined Environmental Hazards and Engineering/Social Sustainability presentation. On Wednesday 20th March we will hold an Ecosystem Complexity and Environmental Change forum. We will explore how to move forward with these UPEN themes, and how they might impact education, research and innovation. To participate in these exploratory events, please complete this short questionnaire.
Should you prefer to download an offline version of this information you can do so, but you will need to declare your interest online.
Ecosystem Complexity and Environmental Change
We are having a major impact on the environment through unprecedented levels of anthropogenic-induced or enhanced change. It is vital that we work to understand such complex systems and can measure, monitor and predict the effects of changes and their consequences. By doing so, we improve our capacity to develop informed and effective strategies and actions to mitigate or adapt to the impact we are having.
Examples of areas to which we can collectively contribute could include:
- Adaptation and Evolution
- Climate science and Paleoclimatology
- Ecosystem Complexity and Function
- Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
- Oceanography and Limnology
UPEN can help successful teams and individuals form a coherent critical mass, visible to wide variety of stakeholders. Cross-disciplinary collaboration will be encouraged, to share best practice and collective engagement of funders and stakeholders. Ways to secure new funding and further improve impact will be explored.
If you would like to participate in the exploratory events or would like to contribute to the Ecosystem Complexity and Environmental Change theme, please complete our short questionnaire here.
Environmental Hazards and Engineering
Adaptable and sustainable communities need detailed understanding of the nature and impact of environmental hazards and risks. Our interaction with processes that may take place every day or over geological time, from local to global scales, has a profound impact on health and economic opportunities. Our capacity to manage risks or engineer our environment to improve resilience will make a significant contribution to future society.
Examples of areas to which we can collectively contribute include the prediction; modelling and mitigation of:
- Building and Infrastructure Requirements
- Energy, Business and Resource Security
- Natural Hazards
- Nuclear Accidents
- Urban and Coastal Change
Through UPEN, groups and individuals from across the University can contribute to a coherent research agenda and improve cross-departmental education and research links. Funding opportunities and partnerships will be explored together with further business engagement. Routes into policy and best practice across our stakeholder disciplines will be pursued.
If you would like to participate in the exploratory events or would like to contribute to the Environmental Hazards and Engineering theme, please complete our short questionnaire here.
Sustainable Society
The concept of truly sustainable communities offers genuine and clear benefits to those who embrace it, both now and in the future. Yet, it is not yet clear to individuals or businesses what their priorities should be or how they might engage and benefit from this agenda. Research is needed at local, regional and global scales to provide robust, practical routes to sustainability to all communities regardless of location or wealth.
Examples of areas to which we can collectively contribute include:
- Changing Attitudes and Behaviour
- Health & Well Being
- Natural Resource Management
- Sustainable Business, Construction and Design
- Sustainable Economies and Technologies
Through UPEN, groups and individuals from across the University can contribute to the interdisciplinary approach needed to help society, policy and practice engage with these exciting opportunities.
If you would like to participate in the exploratory events or would like to contribute to the Sustainable Society theme, please complete our short questionnaire here.
As well as these, it is anticpated that cross-thematic interest groups might emerge in the following areas (there may be others):
- Communication and Engagement
- Measuring, Monitoring and Modelling
- Risk and Deicsions
- Valuing Nature
- Visualisation, GIS and Informatics
If you would like to participate in the exploratory events, feel that you can contribute to any of the themes detailed above or would like to help us develop the cross-thematic interest groups, please complete our short questionnaire here.