Senior Lecturer, Director of Teaching and Learning (DTL) in Biology
In the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences we have been working hard to incorporate sustainability into our curriculum, and to co-create initiatives and projects with our students. Given the nature of our programmes, we already have a lot of sustainability naturally occurring within our modules, but Dr Sally Faulkner and Dr Ruth Rose wanted to go one step further and have students embed various aspects of sustainability in their final year dissertation.
The sustainability related dissertation projects address a variety of different needs, and these can be flexible year on year, depending on the most pressing areas of concern at any time. Two key areas focused on in 2022-23 are local biodiversity and management of vaping waste.
Many green spaces exist throughout the Tower Hamlets area and are constantly utilised by local communities to relax away from the surrounding built-up areas. However, little is known about the biodiversity of these areas, and recognising, preserving, and maintaining biodiversity and healthy ecosystems within urban settings is fundamentally import to the wellbeing of both the environment and local communities. One of the goals of this project was to collect new and collate existing data on species diversity (plants, invertebrates, vertebrates) within Tower Hamlets, creating a baseline of data that can be updated annually.
Vaping has recently risen to popularity as a substitute for cigarettes, reducing the damage of tar while maintaining the presence of nicotine through a familiar mechanism. More recently, the incorporation of fruit and sweet flavourings, combined with attractive colours, have increased the popularity of vaping amongst younger people. Vapes are designed to be single use. However, they contain batteries which makes them extremely toxic and prone to combustion when discarded incorrectly. With increased popularity among the student population, it is unsurprising that vapes contribute to the campus waste. This project aimed to explore the extent of vape waste on campus and make recommendations to the university on its management.
Approach used
For the biodiversity project, Dr Sally Faulkner worked with the students to identify and document plant and animal species that inhabit the community. Students sought to understand the local biodiversity and monitor changes in the distribution and abundance of species over time, identifying trends that may be indicative of environmental changes. The project aimed to promote conservation efforts in the community, including engaging local stakeholders in this and advocating for policies and practices that support conservation. The project is generating data that can be used for future research/student projects, including studies on the ecological roles of species, their interactions with other species, and their responses to environmental changes.
For the vaping project, Dr Ruth Rose worked with a student who chose to pursue this area of research for their dissertation. The student used surveys to gather data and posters to share good disposal practice. The information gathered during this project can be used by QMUL Professional Services, such as Estates and Facilities and the Sustainability team, to ensure appropriate waste disposal is available on campus and in prime locations that will allow for optimal retrieval of the single use item.
Impact
A key impact of the biodiversity project has been the development of a student-led website BioCapture https://biocaptureqmul.com/. This is a student-driven website focused on promoting biodiversity awareness in Tower Hamlets. In addition to its role in fostering environmental awareness, BioCapture has become a point in discussions with Tower Hamlets and City of London Council. We are exploring ways to leverage the website to actively engage the local community in biodiversity initiatives. Furthermore, BioCapture aligns with our goal to transform our institution into a Nature Positive University.
The overarching aim of this work is to raise awareness of the importance of preserving local biodiversity and healthy ecosystems and in turn illustrating the value of ecosystem services to the lives of local communities. The long-term goals and outcomes for this monitoring project are focused on students, staff and the community gaining a deeper understanding of the local biodiversity, identifying trends and patterns in the distribution and abundance of species, and promoting conservation efforts.
The vaping project is already having a clear impact on campus, as plans are underway to look at campus bins and waste generated by on-campus eateries that may influence waste management contracts. In the future, similar projects can be developed, in conjunction with the college sustainability team and Queen Mary Students’ Union to take a citizen science style approach to data accumulation on key issues. This project also illustrates the impact of student led research on university policy.
Recommendations
We believe that involving undergraduates in biodiversity and sustainability research can help to foster an interest in local environmental conservation and sustainability and by understanding its importance, they can develop a greater appreciation for the natural world and become more environmentally conscious. Participating in these projects will give them valuable training in research methods and techniques as well as Graduate Attributes, which can be applied to future academic or professional pursuits.
Students can bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to research. As young and innovative thinkers, they may approach problems in new ways and make valuable contributions to ongoing projects. Involving students can help to bridge the gap between academia and the wider community. By collaborating with local community groups and organizations, students can help to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability and promote the conservation of local ecosystems.