Northumbria University is pleased to launch partner applications for the 2021 co-hort of the MOBIE-Northumbria Homes for the Future Innovation Centre.
Last year, Northumbria University teamed up with Architect, TV Presenter and Campaigner George Clarke’s education charity MOBIE, to launch a PhD centre dedicated to innovation in designing, building and managing homes. Since the launch, the university has embarked on several exciting projects including the use of new wonder materials to build ultra-low waste, ultra-low carbon homes tackling the place based divide, and the use of digital technologies to support independent living in an ageing society.
Now, the centre is launching its second call for partners, with funding opportunities for five new industry led PhDs to start in early 2021. This time around, the centre is offering increased flexibility to partners, allowing them to sponsor existing members of staff through the programme as part of their continued development, or access fresh new talent and skills via the university’s extensive network. While full time study is preferred, part time options are also available.
The MOBIE-Northumbria Homes for the Future Innovation Centre has an ambition to make R&D accessible to any organisation with an interest in residential development, and to help embed innovative practices in this sector to improve quality of homes, and quality of life among occupants. The centre will investigate new approaches to designing, building and managing homes, including challenges created by changes in society such as ageing and city living. Topics could include modern methods of construction, digital technologies, new sustainable materials, new business models created by the processes, health, wellbeing and care and more.
These collaborative PhDs are driven by partner needs and draw on expertise of renowned academics in the relevant field, as well as a PhD candidate to help achieve objectives and drive value back to the partner organisation. The centre also facilitates networking, knowledge sharing and working sessions with other partners on the programme (up to 15 by 2022) to foster further collaboration, providing dedicated support to help develop and secure additional funding to support resulting projects. The PhDs are part-funded by the university, giving partners maximum value for money.
For more information on the centre and how to apply, click here. If you would like to speak to a member of the team for more details, please contact partnerships manager Charlie MacDowall.
