Sustainability | Research & Knowledge Exchange
We are committed to upholding sustainable research practices, undertaking sustainability-related research, and celebrating the valuable contributions creativity can bring to solving complex, global issues.
What's covered?
The focus of our research and knowledge exchange is on supporting positive environmental and social impact for not only the communities we serve, but also at a national and international scale.
Our research will actively contribute to the generation of new ideas and innovations that contribute to fighting the causes of, and adapting to, the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss, while our knowledge exchange leverages our resources and expertise to support evidence-based, positive action for change across business and society.
Our targets
Target 1
To coordinate and nurture sustainability-related research.
Target 2
To ensure environmental impact is a key consideration in our approach to research design and delivery, by developing a framework.
Target 3
To leverage our research expertise in creativity and technology to support local and regional partners to engage with sustainability challenges and to make positive change.
How we're going to do it
A) We will develop and embed a project-level sustainability tool to ensure environmental impact is considered throughout research design and delivery, supporting more sustainable approaches to research and knowledge exchange activity across the University.
B) Improve access to sustainability guidance, tools and resources that support staff and researchers in embedding environmental sustainability into research and knowledge exchange activity.
C) Continue to audit and evaluate environment-related research and knowledge exchange activity across the University, mapping activity against external frameworks and benchmarks including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, UKRI priorities, and the People, Place and Planet framework.
What we've done so far
Discover our sustainability-related research projects.
Mapping Emergence
Mapping Emergence is a creative exchange between art, science, and social insects, our project asks:...
Bee Brick
Bee Brick is an innovative product, offering the dual function of being a construction material that...
Ecover: Laundry Research
Ecover commissioned advertising academics to carry out research to inform a campaign to tackle over ...
Landscape Stories
This project began with the Falmouth University-National Trust (2020) Landscape Research Group pilot...
Lobster Grower & Lobster Grower 2
Lobster Grower is a consortium led project, working to establish a low-carbon method of rearing lobs...
Springboard Studios
Can participation in non-assessed, altruistic, creative learning experiences in blue spaces, contrib...
Explore our sustainability themes
Physical Estate & Operations
Streamlining our operations and enhancing our environment.
Learning & Teaching
Empowering our students with knowledge and skills to make a positive impact, through applying creati...
News & stories
The Falmouth community is full of inspiring people making a positive impact on the environment. Scroll through our reel of stories to discover who's been hitting the headlines.
Falmouth Textile Design students featured in New Designers preview
29 April 2026
Two final year BA(Hons) Textile Design students have been featured in a sustainability preview by Ne...
Lecturer to host workshop on sustainable architecture
29 May 2025
Senior Lecturer Sarah Riviere will lead an international workshop on sustainability in architecture ...
Documenting the sustainability of farming: Photography BA student Joe Day
06 May 2025
After visiting Yeo Valley Organic, The Milk Stand at Kingston Seymour Farm, and Dowstall Farm, secon...
Students gain insight into the sustainable business practices of St Michael’s Mount
27 March 2025
Students studying Falmouth’s International Business Management MSc and Entrepreneurship & Innovati...
Lucy Lockwood on using waste marine textiles for good
24 March 2025
Business & Digital Marketing BA(Hons) student Lucy Lockwood is using her Final Major Project to crea...
Sustainable Fashion students collaborate with The Independent
27 February 2025
Members of Falmouth’s Sustainable Fashion MA (Online) community recently came together with The In...
Work by Holly Parsons
Redefining photography’s role in sustainability and social justice
24 February 2025
Discover the transformative potential of photography in driving positive change.
Cornwall Business School student Kate Richards on creating her own sustainable surf wax business
31 January 2025
Kate Richards, a student on our Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management MSc, started her master's h...
The group at the residency. Credit: Future Island-Island
Sustainable Fashion students win Regenerative Rathlin Open Design Competition
03 December 2024
Two students on Falmouth’s online master’s in Sustainable Fashion have recently attended a desig...
The Future Is Green: Sustainability-driven business events begin
25 October 2024
Last week, Falmouth University proudly hosted the first in-person training day for The Future is Gr...
‘KELP!’ wins Best UK Short Documentary at Big Syn International Film Festival 2023
20 November 2023
KELP!, a film directed by Marine & Natural Photography BA(Hons) graduate Caylon La Mantia and senior...
'Swap Shop' supports our campus community and promotes sustainability
07 September 2023
Rehome donated items through our campus Swap Shop initiative.
Falmouth University shortlisted at prestigious sustainability awards
03 August 2023
Falmouth University has been announced as a finalist at the 2023 Green Gown Awards UK and Ireland un...
Falmouth University community plants 500 trees in partnership with PlantOne
21 June 2023
Through its partnerhsip with PlantOne, Falmouth University has planted 500 trees at the Trefusis Est...
Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 at Falmouth University
25 May 2023
Here's how Falmouth engaged with Fairtrade Fortnight 2023.
Win for Falmouth University at sustainability awards
10 November 2022
Falmouth University is delighted to have won the Green Gown Award for ‘Reporting with Influence’...
Wild Voices: The "sound of extinction" by Tom Hull
12 August 2022
This piece was written by Tom Hull, a researcher at Falmouth University. He is a specialist in wild ...
Falmouth increases solar panel presence on campus
10 August 2022
Falmouth University are significantly increasing the amount of solar panels on roofs at Penryn Campu...
Plant partnership launched with Cornish company
10 August 2022
Falmouth University has partnered with Rocket Gardens, a Gweek-based mail order company supplying pl...
Falmouth conducts food waste separation trial
10 August 2022
Falmouth University have launched a pilot project to reduce more waste on our campuses by separating...