The COVID-19 has provided a unique opportunity to compare the carbon intensity of on- and off-campus education. This project will use the System Boundary Carbon Footprint Assessment Method to analyse carbon footprint of face-to-face, online and blended education. The results are valuable for mitigating carbon impacts of increasing online/blended education.
Department: Geography & Environmental Science
Supervised by: Hong Yang
The main objectives of this project are to (1) analyse the carbon emissions from face-to-face, online and blended teaching and learning in higher education; (2) identify main contributors to carbon emissions from the three types of education; and (3) develop measures to prevent and mitigate the carbon footprint in higher education. Higher education produces large amounts of greenhouse gases due to student and staff mobility, on-campus consumption of energy and water and production of waste. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to compare the carbon intensity of higher education delivered on- and off-campus. Some preliminary results show online education is less climate-friendly than anticipated. Blended learning, which many universities promote, can result in the underutilised capacity of university campuses and higher carbon emissions. In this project, we will use the System Boundary Carbon Footprint Assessment Method, incorporating the carbon footprint associated with electricity (Scope 2 GHG emissions), natural gas (Scope 1) and water (Scope 3) consumption as inputs and food waste, other solid waste and sewerage (Scope 3) as outputs. To calculate the carbon footprint of off-campus work/study, we will conduct around 50 mini-interviews with staff and students. A CO2 sensor (Wave Plus) will also be used to measure carbon on campus and at home. This project will contribute to understanding the relative contribution of different operational processes to the carbon emissions associated with traditional and online models of higher education. This can pinpoint the policy interventions required to mitigate the carbon impacts of increasing online/blended education.
The student’s tasks will include 1) applying the system boundary carbon footprint assessment method, incorporating the carbon footprint associated with electricity (Scope 2 GHG emissions), natural gas (Scope 1) and water (Scope 3) consumption as inputs and food waste, other solid waste and sewerage (Scope 3) as outputs, to calculate carbon footprint of face-to-face, online and blended education at University of Reading; 2) conducting approximate 50 mini-interviews with staff and students to calculate the carbon footprint of off-campus work/study; 3) using a CO2 sensor (Wave Plus) to measure carbon on campus and at home, 4) analysing data and writing project report. There will also be opportunities to contribute to an academic publication, present at a conference, and work on the project’s communication and media plans.
Essential Skills: A basic understanding of carbon cycle or environmental science. Able to organise own work and prioritise to ensure delivery on time and on specification. Willingness to learn new research techniques. Able to effectively read literature and synthesise findings. Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office. Good oral and written communication skills. Desirable Skills: Experience in planning and carrying out small research projects. Project management skills.
The student will learn a mix of both technical skills and analytical skills that will be useful in both research and non-research careers. The student will learn to 1) read and analyse scientific literature related to the research area; 2) calculate carbon footprint using System Boundary Carbon Footprint Assessment Method; 3) conduct reviews with different people; 4) measure CO2 using low-cost sensors; 5) analyse data; and 6) interpret and present the data. If successful, this will hopefully lead to a publication or poster presentation.
The placement will be based in the School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science. Carbon concentration measurement will take place on multiple sites on Reading Whiteknights Campus.
Full-time (35 hours per week), or the possibility to work part-time, to be discussed with the PI - start and end dates tbc with the selected student.
Monday 13 June 2022 - Friday 22 July 2022
The post will be advertised centrally on the UROP website between 21st February and 4th April 2022. Students should submit their CV and Cover Letter directly to the Project Supervisor (click on supervisor name at the top of the page for email). Successful candidates will be invited for an interview.