Researchers' collaboration toolkit  Living Labs

Living Labs use real-world environments, such as university campuses or local communities, to develop and test solutions to sustainability challenges.

Operational colleagues tend to be looking for a practical solution or innovation to specific challenges. So, at the University of Leeds, the initiative connects research with practical implementation in areas such as energy, transport, biodiversity and waste management, to foster a hands-on learning process that encourages shared action towards solving complex issues.  

Facilitated by the Sustainability Service, the Leeds Living Lab leverages expertise from various fields, services and/or communities to generate outcomes that could benefit wider society and are linked to one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and/or the University Climate Plan principles.

Previous projects have included exploring geothermal energy on campus, creating new woodland, enhancing the ecological balance of the Roger Stevens pond, monitoring campus air quality and reducing food waste. 

The Sustainability Service can offer support to set up and deliver projects, helping to identify and engage with relevant partners, and evaluate and share outcomes and lessons learned. They may also provide seed funding, match funding or small grants to support Living Lab projects.  

Living Lab projects can vary in scope and duration depending on the specific sustainability issue being addressed. They adopt a holistic approach, creating opportunities to integrate research with the University’s operational sustainability efforts, and encouraging shared action towards common goals.

Another key aspect of the Living Lab approach is creating an open-source culture. Learning and outcomes are shared openly across the sector and beyond. We work with other anchor institutions in Leeds to scale and transfer findings to the city and communities. 

Key elements of a successful Living Lab project include: 

• Identifying specific sustainability challenges within the University or local context and defining clear actionable objectives that align with the UN SDGs or the University’s Climate Plan Principles. 
• Integrating research with practice to foster a hands-on learning approach that develops, tests and implements solutions to ‘real world’ sustainability challenges.
• Actively engaging stakeholders from different fields to leverage a range of expertise and foster meaningful collaboration, ensuring diverse perspectives and maximising impact.
• Sharing outputs and insights openly, enabling approaches to be scaled, replicated and transferred across cities, regions and global networks.
• Ensuring project delivery is socially and environmentally responsible, while promoting just and equitable solutions.

For more information about Leeds Living Lab, email the Sustainability Service at sustainability@leeds.ac.uk.