AI-trained CCTV in rivers can spot blockages and reduce floods
Machine learning-equipped camera systems can be an effective and low-cost flood defence tool, researchers show
Centre for Regenerative Design & Engineering for a Net Positive World
We offer global research leadership in regenerative design and engineering, co-evolving solutions with societal, cultural, ecological, and economic co-benefits.
An interconnected research environment
Our expertise broadly falls under three categories: water and chemical, place making, and materials and composites. However, we take an inter- and transdisciplinary approach to research, seeking out collaborations across subject boundaries.
Water and chemical: flooding, safe and sustainable water management, chemical, biochemical, and photocatalytic reactions and reactors.
Place making: low-carbon, low-energy building design and resource efficiency, urban design, conservation and heritage, and architecture history and theory.
Materials and composites: low-cost, bio-inspired and ecologically responsive, and structural dynamics.
Research news
Find out about our latest research, successes, and impact.
Global South Chair: driving international research, collaboration and impact
Each year, we appoint a Global South Chair to raise RENEW's international profile. Prof Murilo Innocentini discusses the exciting opportunities of the role.
Our projects
We're working above and beyond net-zero to make a net-positive world. Find out what projects we're carrying out right now.
Creating localised future weather for the built environment
Our project will produce a time series of weather in 2080 for 11,000 locations in the UK.
Zero energy building reduced algorithm (ZEBRA)
ZEBRA is a free, novel and simple tool for modelling the energy and carbon performance of buildings.
Healthy housing for the displaced
Our project aims to create shelter designs that improve the living conditions of refugees and other displaced persons living in camps.
Climate-resilient, energy secure, and healthy built environments (CREST)
We are responding to an urgent need to train architects and engineers to meet the challenge of climate-resilient, energy secure and healthy built environments.
Zero peak energy building design for India
We aim to eliminate peak energy demand in Indian buildings through a new science of zero peak energy building design for warm climates.
Study with us
There are PhD opportunities in the topics and themes we're researching.
Faculty of Engineering & Design postgraduate research degrees
Join our collaborative and supportive research community, and start your journey to becoming an expert in your field.
Navigating a complex environmental challenge: lithium mining in the Atacama Desert
Each year, MSc students across the university engage in an interdisciplinary project on the social and environmental impacts of lithium mining in Chile.
About us
We are a diverse group of academics and researchers taking on research that is both culturally desirable and in the public interest. We embrace creative ideas around self-sustaining, humanitarian and ecology-conscious engineering and design to create net-positive benefits to people and society. We work with other disciplines because we recognise that technical solutions alone are not sufficient to generate real impact.
Contact us
If you're interested in study, using our facilities and expertise, or collaborating with us, please get in touch.