Maths graduate wins prestigious Green Gown Award

For the second year running, the University of Leicester was awarded the Research with Impact - Student award at the Green Gown Awards. Maths graduate James Boyd won with his project calculating the carbon sequestration of our trees.

As the Climate Crisis is increasingly recognised as the most pressing issue our world faces, the Green Gown Awards put a spotlight on the innovative and inspiring sustainability work taking place in universities and colleges.

Dr Sandra Lee, our Social Impact Lead said: “I am particularly proud to win this category again as it embodies everything Leicester stands for - research and teaching excellence tackling real world issues. Our students are not only engaged with sustainability but at the forefront of delivering impact.”

The tool James created is now being used by Leicester City Council and has enabled the University to calculate the carbon footprint of our trees. It also allows us to accurately identify and replace trees that need to be removed for any reason.

James said: “I have created a tool which calculates the impact by using height and diameter measurements to estimate yearly carbon sequestration and the overall carbon contained in each individual tree. I hope my tool can advise not only Leicester but also other universities and councils.”

Leicester was also shortlisted for the Enterprise Award for our Social Ambassadors project.

At the 2018 awards, Hannah Sellers won in the same category for her project looking at biodiversity on campus.