What we do
Cambridge Zero Research helps identify, catalyse and support the development of interdisciplinary projects and collaborations across the University, on research topics related to climate change and Net Zero. We connect researchers from across disciplines and departments and work with them to develop impactful research proposals on issues related to climate change, including mitigation and adaption responses, as well as promoting sustainability more widely.
How we can help
If you have an idea for a research proposal but need others to help, Cambridge Zero can introduce you to other like-minded Cambridge researchers, helping you to build a team around common research interests. We can also provide coordination and facilitation enabling you to work collaboratively, identify funding opportunities and create interdisciplinary grant applications. If you are an Early Career Researcher thinking about your next project, we can help to introduce you to potential PIs or to join relevant research networks already in place.
In the first instance please contact:
Biological Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Physical Sciences and Technology: Dr Erik Mackie ejm222@cam.ac.uk
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences: Dr Daniel Robins djr80@cam.ac.uk
Please join the internal Cambridge Zero Research Mailing List to receive updates from us. Subscribe here to keep up to date with the latest research-related news, events and opportunities from Cambridge Zero. This mailing list is open to any staff and students at the University of Cambridge who are interested in Cambridge Zero's research work.
What we cannot do
Cambridge Zero exists to support climate and net-zero research, education, and engagement across the University, but is not an academic department, and so cannot host large grants or take the lead PI role on a proposal. You will need to find a Cambridge department willing to host the grant application. However, we may be able to help with this using our networks.
Events
Come along to find out more and meet some of our affiliated researchers at one of the upcoming Cambridge Zero Research Symposia:
Wednesday 7th December – Climate & Disease: Drivers, impacts and solutions.
Research Themes
Research Centres
We've also been involved in launching a number of innovative new research centres recently including:
Centre for Landscape Regeneration
Institute of Computing for Climate Science
Cambridge Centre for Carbon Credits
Centre for Climate Repair at Cambridge
Postgraduate Academy
Cambridge Zero has recently launched a new Postgraduate Academy, which will bring together postgraduate students from across all disciplines at the University of Cambridge who are working on, or have a research interest in, climate change and net-zero.
The Academy is open to postgraduates of any discipline, providing a space to connect, discuss, and collaborate. It will host a year-round calendar of events including opportunities to get involved with Cambridge Zero activities, workshops and personal development programmes to develop research and communications skills, as well as socials, presentations and networking events.
Want to find out more, join our mailing list: Sign Up
Or watch our launch video:
Current Projects
Monitoring energy efficiency of buildings using thermal infrared space telescopes
Cambridge Zero is working with Prof Ian Parry from the Institute of Astronomy and Dr Ronita Bardhan from the Department of Architecture on this ambitious project. The University of Cambridge was awarded a share of over £7 million in funding meant to put the UK at the forefront of the latest advances in space innovation.
Learn more about this project here: Cambridge Research
Climate Risk project with UK Universities Climate Network (UUCN)
Cambridge Zero is a founding member of the UUCN, formerly known as the COP26 Universities Network. This project involves Dr Emily Shuckburgh, Luke Kemp (CSER) and Dr Erik Mackie leading on a series of outputs including briefing papers on Tipping Points and Cascading Risks, a Toolkit on Climate Risk Communication, as well as a series of podcasts. Listen to the first episode, with more to follow soon.
We are also working on a further report on Climate Risk Decision-making as part of this project.
University Research
Cambridge Zero connects research groups and institutes across the University, joining up their research and policy expertise. This includes* researchers and projects within:
* not all of the research conducted by these groups is relevant to Cambridge Zero.