Research networks
The Sustainability and Resilience Institute (SRI) is a founding member of 6 research networks.
These networks:
- facilitate collaboration and understanding of research from different schools and faculties
- identify research gaps
- generate important questions in anticipation of funding calls
- build meaningful relationships with a variety of partners and stakeholders
To join a network, email Jon Lawn, SRI Collaboration Manager.
Clean Air South
Co-hosts - Wessex Health Partners and the University of Southampton Civic Office
Air quality is known to cause an increased risk and exacerbations of asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). It also causes an increased risk of:
- stroke
- heart disease
- lung cancer
- dementia.
The Clean air south network brings together experts, from across Wessex, to collaborate and share knowledge and expertise. It aims to develop a better understanding of local air quality issues and population health needs and generate key research questions to address them. This will create a strong foundation for future successful collaborative funding bids.
Environmental Studies Network
Co-hosts - Southampton Institute for Arts and Humanities (SIAH)
The SIAH launched the Southampton Environmental studies network to foster transdisciplinary, intersectional and trans-sectoral collaborations between academic and non-academic colleagues.
The Network is interested in:
- environmental studies across land and sea-based research
- animal studies
- socio-ecological and humanities studies
- activism
- on-site scientific work
Emphasis is placed on prioritising EDI and decolonial practices. The SRI plans social and networking events for people across the University, including days out and writing retreats, impact, outreach and engagement workshops, and collaborative events with non-academic partners.
Clean Water South
Co-hosts - Future Towns Innovation Hub and the University of Southampton Civic Office
Rivers in the south of England play a critical role in the health and wellbeing of our communities. They provide water for drinking, industry and agriculture.
They also support people and nature through:
- maintaining habitats
- enabling hydrogeomorphological processes
- provisioning ecosystem services
- facilitating recreation
- sustaining culture and heritage
The Clean water south network brings stakeholders together from academia, industry, regulators, community groups, NGOs, and charities. They aim to develop strong links, facilitate effective communication, and generate information to address key water quality challenges facing rivers.
Migration and Displacement Network
This network connects multidisciplinary expertise and interest to tackle the critical issues of migration and displacement around the world within the context of sustainable development and community resilience. It explores and addresses the complex challenges and opportunities that arise from human mobility.
They generate rigorous evidence using multi-methods, to provide better understanding and develop innovative strategies and policies that support the well-being of migrants and displaced persons while fostering resilient and sustainable communities.
Food Security Network
The production, constitution, consumption and recycling of food exists in an evolving landscape impacted by social, cultural, economic and environmental factors. This ranges from climate change to soil quality. Research opportunities to transform UK food systems across food nutrition, demography, farming practices, transport and land use are growing while trade and international economic impacts rise.
This network aims to facilitate ongoing conversations to bring researchers of food and related fields together. They aim to identify opportunities to develop unique research questions to use in funding calls and bids.
Systems Thinking Network
Co-hosts - Future Towns Innovation Hub
This broad-based supportive research network focuses on a systems thinking approach to interdisciplinary research and policy response.
Systems thinking provides a platform of integrative thinking. From causal loop diagrams and Systems Dynamics Modelling (SDM) to Integrated Assessment Modelling (IAM), there is increasing need to address issues of sustainability and associated policy response in innovative ways. Systems thinking is becoming more relevant to research and enterprise processes as well as in teaching environments.
This network connects stakeholders across the University of Southampton who utilise systems thinking/modelling approaches or might want to develop them further.