UCEM hosts Research & Scholarship Engagement Day (RED)
Posted on: 13 June, 2024
University College of Estate Management (UCEM) hosted its second-ever Research & Scholarship Engagement Day (RED) on 12 June 2024. This was a hybrid event, hosted online and at Horizons, Reading, that brought together researchers, academics, and faculty members to share ideas, discuss research, and explore new collaboration opportunities.
Dr Graeme Larsen, Associate Dean of Sustainability, highlighted the significance of the event: “For the first time, researchers at all levels are coming together to share ideas and experiences about publishing and the PhD process. This event is designed for those who are interested in starting research or those who are actively engaged in research, providing them with a sense of community. Our research informs our teaching – we must ensure our materials are up-to-date. Our students want to learn from the very people who are creating new knowledge.”
The main purpose of RED was to upskill colleagues, disseminate good practices, and discuss relevant developments in higher education. UCEM aims to foster a robust research culture, equipping and supporting staff to engage in research and scholarly activities at various levels.
Mike Speight, Director of Academic Performance, emphasised the collaborative nature of the event: “Today is an opportunity for the academic team to work together in a safe, collegiate environment with a focus on research. The intention is to share research ideas and promote discussion about existing work and future opportunities. The morning session focusses on members of the academic team who are in the early stages of their research careers. In the afternoon, the emphasis shifts to showcase some of the research currently being undertaken at UCEM, as a means to share and to identify synergies and new collaboration opportunities with colleagues.”
Sharon Youngson-Baines, who helped organise the event alongside Professor Angela Lee, shared her enthusiasm: “The Research Engagement Day is a brilliant opportunity to bring everyone involved in or interested in research together. It’s great to be able to see all of the different work that is being undertaken across UCEM. A day like this just goes to show how much fantastic research is already taking place and will hopefully be a springboard for further collaboration and inspiration. I am really excited for future research events and seeing updates.”
The event included a variety of sessions, ranging from peer-to-peer presentations to interactive discussions on publishing and advancement in AI. During the peer-to-peer presentations, Marc Fleming, Jon Hubert, David Hunt, and Dr Ruby Islam presented their work.
The afternoon sessions showcased sustainable built environment research by UCEM academics, including presentations by Dr James Ritson, Dr Muhammad Rana, Megi Zala, and Charlotte Thackeray and Sharon Youngson-Baines.
Reflecting on the event, Dr James Ritson commented, “It was fantastic to see both the breadth and depth of the research ongoing at UCEM and the positive impact we are having on the built environment worldwide. The research showcased today just shows how much the built environment impacts everyone’s lives, and by improving our human-made world, we create a better future for us all.”
Dr Graeme Larsen added, “This event is part of our journey around developing a research community within UCEM, building upon a range of successes associated with funding bids, publications, and research at all stages and of all types. With over 30 attendees, it was great to provide a specific forum to discuss research in such a collegiate manner. I’m looking forward to the next research event.”
