Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Research Institute (BEST)

BEST focuses on tackling sustainability challenges in civil engineering and built environment through innovative technologies and effective management practices.

The Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) Research Institute comprises of staff from the School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment within the Faculty of Engineering and Technology and was formally recognised by the University as a research institute in 2010. The Institute’s core strategy is to focus on fostering strong external collaboration, establishing partnerships with both industry and the public sector to engage in research addressing critical industrial and societal challenges, aligned with the United Kingdom (UK) and international strategies, including the “Grand Challenges”.

The aim of the research institute is to overcome civil engineering and built environment sustainability challenges by the use of novel technologies and management techniques. The BEST Research Institute has four core themes. (Leading staff members shown in bold):

• Sustainable Resource Processing and Reuse - Prof Andy Shaw
• Novel and Bio-based Materials - Prof Hassan Al-Nageim
• Holistic Built Environment - Prof Vida Maliene
• Environmental Monitoring and Control - Prof Patryk Kot