On Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024, the Patel College of Global Sustainability (PCGS), the University of East London (UEL), and the Royal Docklands Center for Sustainability held an online joint symposium to highlight applied sustainability projects. Sustainability students and faculty from each institution presented their ongoing sustainability projects. By aligning with UEL鈥檚 Year of Science focus, participants fostered international cooperation and contributed to the Virtual Global Exchange (VGE) program. The VGE initiative emphasizes international social sustainability, material resource utilization, waste management, and the establishment of urban food forests.
The virtual symposium commenced with welcome remarks from the deans of both colleges. Then, Dr. Joseph Dorsey, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for PCGS, presented an introduction to the symposium titled 鈥淔ood Systems, Materials, Ecology, and the Circular Economy.鈥� This was promptly followed by the initial presentation from a USF student on the topic of food forests.
After a brief intermission, Clare Penny from UEL introduced their research findings on food forests, leading to an engaging discussion between students from both institutions regarding food forest development and edible landscapes. Following another short break, Dr. Thomas Henry Culhane, Concentration Director for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (PCGS), presented his innovative creation, 鈥淭rashcrete,鈥� from his home at the Rosebud Continuum Ecoscience Center. Subsequently, Ms. Oluchukwu Okonkwo introduced her project, 鈥淪ugarcrete,鈥� an award-winning biomaterial developed from sugarcane waste into construction blocks, reflecting her academic background with a master鈥檚 and bachelor鈥檚 degree in architecture.
The symposium also featured a presentation from a PCGS alumna, Ms. Erica Leigh (Class of '15), who discussed her project 鈥淐omposite Clothing.鈥� Ms. Leigh is the founder of Sewn Apart, a clothing brand focused on textile recycling and design, providing students with insights into the future of sustainable practices.
The event concluded with a final discussion among students and researchers from both PCGS and UEL, addressing alternatives to material waste and the principles of the circular economy. The symposium facilitated the exchange of ideas across institutions and enabled students and faculty to enhance their research and advocate for sustainable environmental solutions.