Hear from our researchers

Juliet’s research looks at how insects and plants interact within the environment and their role in the provision of ecosystem services. Juliet is building links with local farmers, landowners and beekeepers to build collaborative projects to help improve the management of bees and pollinators.

Joanie’s research explores the interplay between identity, the economy and the environment, looking at how the environment helps to form political ideas, in Cornwall and further afield.

Ilya’s research aims to find practical solutions to the problems of climate change. One of Ilya’s study sites is on the Lizard Peninsula, where there are already adverse effects to habitats from climate change. Ilya is working to understand and address these problems.

Caitlin’s background is in cultural geography, she studies people’s relationships to places and how they relate to them when they’re changing due to factors like environmental change. Caitlin has worked with Cornish harbours that are threatened with sea water rise as well as heritage sites.

The main focus of Karen’s research is remote sensing, which is a technique for capturing data about landscapes from a distance, using satellites, aeroplanes or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Karen is working with businesses in the south west as well as local schools to encourage students to think about how they can use innovative spatial data to understand the environment.

Kevin leads a research team investigating the relationships between people and nature - the effects of people on nature and the effects of nature on people - and how nature can be renewed following the enormous losses that have been caused.

Asif’s research uses the ESI’s fabrication laboratory to explore the role of nanomaterials and thin film material in producing Hydrogen, a zero emissions fuel, using sunlight

Robbie’s research aims to resolve problems caused by wildlife. His research has included looking at the science, policy and practical implications of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in badgers, and the impacts and management of invasive species.

Xiaoyu is looking to make more cost effect use of electric vehicles (EVs) in rural areas, such as Cornwall. And how best to use EVs as an energy store for localised energy systems and secondary use of redundant EV batteries.

Xiaoyu uses different systems thinking approaches such as life cycle assessment, circular economy, water-energy-food-environment nexus and scenario analysis to quantify the sustainability of products, technologies and economic activities, helping governments, businesses and civil society develop informed strategies regarding sustainability.

Tapas leads a research team who are focused on applied solar energy and how this may be incorporated into building, used as energy storage and integrated with other clean technologies. Tapas is interested in advanced solar energy engineering and heat transfer for renewable energy systems.