Groundbreaking workshop at Space Park Leicester sparks carbon removal collaboration with UNDO

Experts from Space Park Leicester hosted a dynamic workshop and collaboration event with carbon removal innovators UNDO.

The event, held at the University of Leicester’s pioneering £100 million science and innovation park on November 1, marked a significant step forward for both organisations, as they explored potential synergies in environmental research and data science. The day included a series of presentations, networking, and discussions that showcased cutting-edge work in carbon removal, Earth observation, and remote sensing.

Throughout the event, UNDO’s delegation—including Dr XinRan Liu, Director of Science and Research, Matt Healey, Science and Carbon Coordinator, and data science specialists Dr Will Turner, Dr Talal Albahri, and Dr Giulia Cazzagon—shared insights into their pioneering projects and explored possible areas of collaboration with Space Park Leicester’s research teams.

Presentations from UNDO covered their advanced carbon capture initiatives and their use of satellite and Earth observation data to monitor vegetation, soil, and environmental changes across test sites.

UNDO’s work, recently shortlisted for the Musk Foundation’s prestigious X Prize in Carbon Removal, demonstrates a commitment to measurable, high-impact climate solutions, and the Leicester workshop provided an ideal platform to foster innovation and build partnerships.

The day’s agenda included a collaborative tour of Space Park Leicester’s cutting-edge facilities, further solidifying opportunities for joint research in environmental science, hydrology, and emissions monitoring.

Conversations were particularly focused on knowledge exchange, identifying areas of collaborative research and how the wealth of expertise from Space Park Leicester can further advance UNDO’s field monitoring.

Discussions also centred around mechanisms for supporting joint PhD research, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), and joint grant applications for further research.

Dr XinRan Liu of UNDO said: “Collaborating with Space Park Leicester’s talented teams opens exciting possibilities for accelerating our impact. Working together, we can deepen our understanding of carbon removal and expand our capability to track environmental changes at a global scale.”

Professor Kevin Tansey, a remote sensing expert at Space Park Leicester and the University of Leicester, said: “This workshop represents the beginning of a meaningful partnership between Space Park Leicester and UNDO.

“We are thrilled to explore avenues for joint research and leverage our technological expertise to support UNDO’s vision of a sustainable future.” With a Memorandum of Understanding in progress, this event sets the stage for a continued collaboration that promises to advance carbon removal technology and foster impactful research to support climate resilience.