Bartlett PhD Alumni: Dr Carrie Behar

What project are you currently working on?

I have a really varied role and I’m working on lots of projects at the moment! These include preparing an evidence paper for the Milton Keynes 2050 Commission to support their zero carbon buildings target. The research is exploring current and future trends in buildings and innovations in the way energy is generated and supplied.

I’m also working with the University of Westminster to develop and implement a sustainable buildings framework and process to fully embed environmental sustainability into new build and refurbishment projects across the estate.

Another project I’m working on is to support the design team of an exciting (and top secret!) new building, to develop a sustainability vision and strategy and set targets and KPIs across a range of sustainability themes. These include energy performance in use and occupant wellbeing, which relates to my PhD research.

What working achievement are you most proud of?

As well as working on consultancy projects for clients, I’ve managed to get involved in making our organisation more sustainable too.

I’m part of the Expedition Engineering Sustainability Group; we are a small team engaged in developing a series of processes for embedding sustainability into the practice’s structural and civil engineering activities. We have developed the concept of ‘Sustainability Opportunity Sessions’ which are a forum for rapidly generating ideas to improve environmental sustainability performance of a project, as well as challenging business as usual approaches to engineering design.

I’ve also helped to make our working environment more sustainable by persuading our leadership team to carry out a ‘SKA’ accredited refurbishment when we were moving office, and helping the design team achieve the highest possible ‘Gold’ rating.

Since moving office I have implemented a programme of post occupancy evaluation to understand how the space is performing in practice by monitoring environmental variables such as temperature and CO2 levels as well as collecting occupant feedback about their experiences.

It can be hard to find time to get involved in these ‘extra’ activities when there’s lots going on so I’m pleased that I’ve manged to play a role in the company’s sustainability journey and influence the direction it takes.

How do you feel about being nominated as a role model?

I’m honoured to be portrayed as a role model – thank you for nominating me! Academic research and the construction industry are still very male-dominated environments so I think it’s great to highlight the achievements of women.

I regularly attend meetings where I am the only woman in the room, and the senior directors at every single organisation I’ve studied and worked at have all been men too.

I would love to see this change over the course of my career so if there’s any way I can help inspire more women to stay on at university and pursue PhDs then I’ll be thrilled.

How would you describe your journey to your current role?

Making the move from academia to industry at the end of the PhD was frightening and involved a steep learning curve. Luckily my employer was able to see the value of the range of skills I gained during a longer than might be considered normal stint at university.

There have been times over the years when I wasn’t sure where I was going or whether I would ever get there. I’ve dealt with this by trying to be true to myself and focus on working on things that I think are meaningful and constructive at the time – so far this strategy has served me well so I plan to continue in the same way and continue to seek out opportunities that inspire and challenge me!

What motivated you to complete a PhD at the Bartlett?

When I was an undergraduate I could never have dreamed that I would one day finish a PhD – I thought you had to be a genius to do academic research and I was convinced that I wasn’t nearly clever enough.

My perspective changed while studying the MSc Environmental Design and Engineering at UCL IEDE, in 2010. During the course of the year I realised not only just how much I enjoyed learning, but that I had a chance to make a significant positive impact on society by pursuing a career in what I believe is a really important national and global challenge – reducing the amount of energy consumed in buildings.

I was encouraged by a tutor I really respected to apply for PhD funding and was lucky enough to be offered a place at the UCL Energy Institute on the newly established Centre for Doctoral Training in Energy Demand Reduction and the Built Environment.

How did studying at the Bartlett help to shape your career?

Between 2001 and 2016 I completed 5 degrees at the Bartlett, in 3 departments – starting with a BSc in Architecture a year after leaving school. So it’s undoubtably had a profound impact on my career as well as being a huge part of my life.

One of the remarkable things about being part of the Bartlett is the people, both other students as well as the teaching staff, who are incredibly hard working and committed to helping shape a better society. I’ve met so many inspiring people over the course of my studies and have really benefited from the personal connections I made at the Bartlett, as well from the extensive networks that UCL offer alumni.

Having the Bartlett on your CV undoubtedly puts it to the top of the pile when looking for jobs in the built environment and construction industry – most of the work I’ve done since I first graduated in 2005 has been through connections I made at the Bartlett – students, tutors and at alumni events.

What advice would you give to current Bartlett PhD students?

My main piece of advice is ‘don’t give up’. Sometimes doing a PhD can feel very solitary and a bit lonely – make sure you look after yourself and try to build a support network through your peers – this will help you both practically, for example finding out about interesting opportunities in your field, as well as emotionally. The Bartlett Doctoral Networks are an effective way to meet new people with shared interests.

I also think it’s important to develop your PhD research in a way that continues to interest and excite you. When you start writing up towards the end of your project it can be tough to stay motivated and you’ll need all the enthusiasm and willpower you can muster up to keep going and submit that first draft…

There were times when it was tempting to change my research direction towards something that I thought might make it easier to get a certain type of job; however, ultimately, I knew that if I didn’t pursue the topic I really cared about and use the research methods I found particularly rewarding it would be much harder to find the passion and stamina needed to complete a PhD at a world-leading research institution.