Q&A with Kim Davies, Head of Marketing, Communications and Brand, UCEM
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Why is it important that the UK’s property, planning and sustainability sectors come together at FOOTPRINT+?
Sustainability in the built environment demands a multi and interdisciplinary approach. It is well known that buildings contribute significantly to the current climate crisis, which requires coordinated efforts in the entire lifecycle to be truly impactful. By bringing together professionals from diverse fields, an event like FOOTPRINT+ can help to break down industry silos, encouraging cross-sector dialogue, and the sharing of best practices and innovative solutions.
What did you hear about/ experience at our last year’s event which has made you want to come back?
While we did not attend last year’s event, the positive feedback from our partners, coupled with our recognition of the value of FOOTPRINT+ as a platform for innovation and collaboration, has inspired us to participate this year.
As a higher education provider dedicated to the built environment, there is a unique space for UCEM at this event. We are eager to engage with attendees from various backgrounds and industries and contribute a fresh academic perspective to the discussions and workshops.
When you attend FOOTPRINT+ in May 2024 what will you be sharing with conference delegates, policy makers, your partners, and your industry peers?
UCEM will host a Thinktank on the Materials Future stage. Our approach to thinking of the considering the future of construction materials will go beyond technological advancements, recognising the significance of considering the historical context as well as the niche, regime and/or landscape level impacts. landscape-level impacts.
We want to highlight the pivotal role of education as a driver for positive change. UCEM marks the beginning of many professionals’ journey journeys within the built environment. As a university solely focused on this field, we can serve as a vital custodian of the sector. UCEM has a unique opportunity to shape the next generation of professionals by providing them with the necessary tools, mindset, and ambition needed to contribute to a more sustainable built environment.
What are you looking to get out of the FOOTPRINT+ event?
FOOTPRINT+ presents a valuable opportunity for UCEM to gain deeper insights into the challenges facing the built environment sector, particularly from the perspective of a higher education provider. Through We are looking forward to engaging with industry peers and practicing professionals, we want to build new connections and gather an invaluable understanding of the real-world challenges faced by those professionals in the field.
One of our objectives is to understand the gaps in education within the sector, exploring how our existing programmes courses can contribute to addressing the sector’s challenges as well as identify areas where adaptation is necessary. By aligning our educational offerings with the evolving needs of the built environment sector, we can ensure our students are equipped with the relevant skills and knowledge to contribute to the advancement of the sector as a whole.
UCEM is ambitious, we want to be known as the centre of excellence for the built environment. At FOOTPRINT+, we want to raise awareness of what we do, from our courses and our partnerships to our aspiration to be the world’s most sustainable university.