ICEC-MCM researcher wins 2023 UCL CEGE Research Festival

ICEC-MCM researcher, Irene Josa, won the top award at the 2023 UCL Civil Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (CEGE) Research Festival. The award recognises her exceptional work on assessing the environmental and social impacts of the construction sector, specifically focusing on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the concrete supply chain in the United Kingdom.

Assessment of the environmental and social impacts of the construction sector: life cycle assessment (LCA) of the concrete supply chain in the UK

Construction plays a pivotal role in societies. However, it not only significantly contributes to global emissions and utilises vast mineral resources, but also has wide social effects. In this context, the Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre for Mineral-based Construction Materials (ICEC-MCM) was founded to provide leadership in research to support the transition to a sustainable Circular Economy in the built environment. As part of the centre’s mission, our research comprises two intertwined studies. On the one hand, from an environmental perspective, we focus on decarbonisation and circularity strategies, with a specific emphasis on concrete in the United Kingdom, using a comprehensive LCA.

On the other hand, we are employing Social LCA to evaluate social impacts along the concrete supply chain in the UK. This methodology considers diverse stakeholders (e.g., workers, local communities) and various impact categories (e.g., community well-being, health and safety). Our presentation will introduce the frameworks being used.

Irene Josa's research delves into the critical role construction plays in societies worldwide. While acknowledging its pivotal significance, the study highlights the sector's substantial contributions to global emissions and extensive mineral resource utilisation. Moreover, it underscores the wide-ranging social effects associated with construction activities.

The ICEC-MCM was established to lead research efforts supporting the transition to a sustainable circular economy in the built environment. In line with the centre's mission, Irene Josa's award-winning research comprises two interconnected studies. From an environmental perspective, the focus is on decarbonization and circularity strategies, with an emphasis on concrete in the UK, employing a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Simultaneously, the study utilises Social LCA to evaluate the social impacts along the concrete supply chain in the UK, considering diverse stakeholders such as workers and local communities.

The methodology applied in the research encompasses various impact categories, including community well-being, health, and safety. The presentation at the Research Festival introduced the frameworks used in these studies, providing valuable insights into the environmental and social dimensions of the construction sector.

The UCL CEGE Research Festival is an annual event celebrating diverse and innovative research within the department. This year's festival showcased a unique blend of academic excellence, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities. The festival, open to all early-career researchers, including PhD students, post-docs, and lecturers, aimed to promote the diversity of research within the CEGE department. Apart from captivating presentations, the festival also featured an engaging PhD poster competition, adding an interactive element to the event. The competition not only allowed researchers to showcase their work but also contributed to the replacement of outdated posters in the Chadwick Building, enhancing the visual representation of ongoing projects.

The Research Festival allows researchers to share their work, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment within the CEGE department. The recognition of Irene Josa's research highlights the department's commitment to promoting impactful studies that address critical issues in engineering and environmental geomatics.