Professor Jo Williams receives £2 million to advance circular bioeconomy in the Thames Estuary

ESRC has allocated £9.5 million across five projects to research place-based approaches to an environmentally sustainable future, providing evidence to support local and national decision making. Professor Jo Williams from the Bartlett School of Planning at UCL has secured one of these awards—a £2 million, five-year project to design a regenerative regional living system in the Thames Estuary.

The circular bioeconomy restores local ecosystems to benefit local food production, wildlife, flood management, soil quality, aid in carbon sequestration and provide recreational opportunities for local people. It also harvests organic waste to produce feedstock, pharmaceuticals, construction materials and produce bioenergy. These activities offer new economic opportunities for residents living near the Estuary. 

Professor Jo Williams is joined by a team including Dr Irene Pluchinotta from UCL's Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, along with Dr Theresa Mercer and Dr Simon Jude from Cranfield University's Environment Centre. The team will establish a living lab in the Thames Estuary to investigate the potential of creating a circular bioeconomy focused on wellbeing. The initiative aims to collaborate with local stakeholders and develop experimental projects aimed at benefiting the community. 

The project team will also develop an educational programme for young people living near the estuary, so they too can be part of this transformation process. Additionally, the project will monitor the ecological and social impact of these efforts and further explore their potential to transform the Thames Estuary. 

Prof. Jo Williams said: "The team is thrilled that the ESRC has chosen to fund our project. It promises to really push the boundaries, to create a regenerative pathway for the Thames Estuary, which offers ecologically-sound and climate-adapted raft of opportunities for the future generations living in the area". 

Read more on the UK Research and Innovation website.