Submitted by Grainne Kennedy on Wed, 2018-08-29 09:26
In 2009 a group of graduate researchers came together to form GreenBRIDGE (Buildings, Research, Innovation, Development, Governance, Energy/Environment). A reading and research group which created a platform for the discussion of ecological, social, cultural, technological and economic issues that affect the built environment. Consideration of these variables is common practise today in building design, but this was not so in 2009. The group saw a gap for learning and decided to cater to those needs through GreenBRIDGE. The group’s beginnings were humble but soon GreenBRIDGE was bringing together speakers from many disciplines to discuss and collaborate on these important issues.
GreenBRIDGE hosted a number of conferences and events, the recordings of which can be found here. Whether discussing green building and retrofitting, conservation, sustainable design or eco-innovation, GreenBRIDGE members and speakers took these complicated topics and made the information digestable and understandable to the wider public.
A good example of this practical approach was the summer school event that GreenBRIDGE ran for Colleges. Participants were able to identify what changes would have the biggest impact on their energy use while considering the social changes that would help to make those savings a reality.
It is heartening to know that GreenBRIDGE lasted almost ten years after its very humble beginnings in 2009 with the aim of bringing postgraduate built environment researchers together from across the University within an interdisciplinary context - Scott Kelly
The benefits of this group have gone much further than the research and methods that the graduates were able to bring to light. Group members like cofounder and founder president Tatiana Vakhitova developed useful skills such as facilitation, committee leadership and presentation skills through GreenBRIDGE. The skills that sustainable development offers, such as long term thinking and forward planning, are highly desirable to prospective employers.
At the time I didn’t realise just how useful the experience would be. Putting together events, engaging with other researchers, expanding your range of interests beyond your research niche, these are all essential parts of an academic career – Aaron Gillich
The members of GreenBRIDGE have completed their own research projects and the group has disbanded; however there is a lot to learn from GreenBRIDGE’s work and their “can do” attitude. GreenBRIDGE IS a fantastic example of the drive of University of Cambridge researchers and the willingness to help each other learn.
There are a number of groups that students and graduates can join to further their learning, or if you would like to set up your own group you can speak with the Living Laboratory for Sustainability.
We wish the best of luck to all the former GreenBRIDGE members and we thank them for their contributions.