University news

The University of Glasgow has welcomed a key net-zero decisionmaker from the UK Government to a strategy workshop which aimed to help shape the University’s future approach to research and collaboration in the field of sustainable energy.
 
Chris Stark, the UK Government’s Head of Mission Control for Clean Power 2030, attended the Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy’s initial internal workshop on Friday 1 November.

 
The Centre, which launched in December last year, brings together academics from across the University to find interdisciplinary new ways of delivering the radical reform of energy services and infrastructure required to reach net-zero while honouring the imperatives and constrains of the natural and societal systems.
 
The all-day workshop session was focused on defining and strengthening the Centre’s role in enhancing the University’s reputation for innovation and leadership in sustainable energy research.
 
Participants worked together to bring the Centre's activities in line with the University's broader initiatives to address global grand challenges including reconciliation of net zero targets and sustainability goals.
 
Mr Stark said: “I’m delighted to visit the University of Glasgow and see the start of such impressive work at the Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy. Achieving the UK’s mission for clean energy must be shaped by the work of the very best academic institutions, across the full range of academic and research disciplines.”
 
Following an introduction from the Centre Director, Professor Gioia Falcone and Professor Margaret Lucas, Dean of Research for the College of Science & Engineering, Mr Stark delivered a keynote speech alongside talks from leading figures across the University on sustainable solutions, national resilience, public policy and data science and AI.
 
Professor Gioia Falcone said: “We were delighted to welcome Chris Stark to the University for the Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy’s first internal workshop today.
 
“Since our launch last year, we’ve begun to deliver on our mission to build on existing multidisciplinary approaches to energy as a service to sustainable and inclusive development.
 
“Independent, research-based solutions are essential to helping the world achieve  an energy provision that is sustainable and accessible to all, avoiding unintended environmental and societal consequences. The Centre’s expertise, which draws from all four Colleges and already includes more than 300 members, will help us deliver those solutions in the years to come.
 
“Through our newly launched Early Career Researcher network, a dedicated Zoomposium series, and extensive partnerships both within Scotland and beyond, we're fostering inclusive dialogues that will lead to vital co-developments in sustainable energy.
 
“We will continue to coordinate the University’s sustainable energy voice nationally and internationally, and work to develop new collaborative partnerships. "
 
An external workshop to expand the Centre’s collaborations with external partners is planned for March next year.

First published: 5 November 2024