SRS Living Lab research projects are a collaboration between professional services staff in SRS and student researchers. They are an authentic context for assessment that can fit anywhere there is suitable agency in a students degree, for example as a dissertation topic or in consultancy projects. Recommendations are always a key output of these projects that our colleagues can use to improve the sustainability and social responsibility of policy and operations at the University of Edinburgh.
At the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability, we work to meet the Sustainable Development Goals as well as our own University targets to be a zero-waste university by 2030 and a net-zero carbon University by 2040.
That is why our Living Lab projects all contribute towards at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals.
What makes a Living Lab project?
The term 'Living Lab' refers to the real world nature of the research undertaken. As opposed to experimentation in a traditional lab, our campus and community act as a reactive living environment to test hypotheses. Because of this, it is important researchers follow guidance from the affiliated staff member to minimize risk and harm throughout these projects.
A Living Lab project should aim to:
- Recommend solutions to a real-life problem
- Be framed around at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals
- Create change in the researchers own lived environment.
- Use existing and newly generated quantitative and qualitative data, embracing digital technologies where possible
Dissertation Living Labs
If you are a MSc student and want to include sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals in your education you can apply to one of our available living lab projects or propose a project that aligns with our departments strategic priorities.