Our research effort is focused upon four areas:

Sustainable Building Services and Sustainable Architecture:

• building energy end-use modelling
• control strategies for energy efficient air conditioning and HVAC systems using simulation software and field measurements
• modelling and simulation of building performance in the areas of energy consumptions, carbon emissions, orientation and form of buildings
• daylight and artificial lighting to achieve low carbon designs using simulation software
• BRE Environmental Assessment Method to assess the environmental impacts of buildings
• renewable energies
• sustainability of construction materials
• building design and environmental performance

Sustainable Construction Materials:

• low carbon cements: use of replacements for cement in concrete
• ow carbon concrete strategies and solutions
• lime-based building materials
• re-use and re-cycling of building materials
• use of alternative de-icers
• evaluation of durability and microstructure of construction materials

Sustainable Communities (typically issues affecting the sustainable communities agenda):

• community analysis, stakeholder engagement and community led consultation processes
• climate change adaptation strategies
• renewable energy technology developments
• sustainable energy production from domestic wastes
• environmental assessment and policy
• facilitating sustainable life styles
• sustainable urban design strategies
• skills for sustainable communities
• use of new technologies for teaching and training

Infrastructure Design and Professional Practice:

• improvement of professional practice
• vibration analysis and control
• non-destructive performance testing
• effective management of the construction process

Supervision and support

Support is provided at doctoral level across the full range of built environment disciplines.

Funding

Aside from self-funding or funding by your employer, charities and trusts (competitively sought after, as are Research Council Awards), career, graduate, and professional study loans may be available. Click: www.family-action.org.uk for information on educational trusts, or www.direct.gov.uk for bank loans at competitive rates. Alternatively, visit your local high-street bank for more information.

Career development and training

Training is available to support full-time MPhil and PhD candidates who may wish to teach at the University for up to six hours per week. We also provide training for all aspects of research.

Candidates seeking admission to the degree of MPhil or MPhil with possibility of transfer to PhD will normally be required to hold a first or upper second class honours degree of a university, or any other institution of higher education in the UK with degree-awarding powers or a qualification which is regarded by Anglia Ruskin as equivalent to a first or upper second class honours degree.

Direct entry to the Professional Doctorate requires considerable experience in industry and a Masters degree. Candidates without a Masters qualification can apply for our pre-entry Understanding Research programme.