Environmental Management student helps make GCU Common Good Lab more sustainable as part of dissertation

A GCU student has been working on a study to help make GCU’s Common Good Lab more sustainable as part of his final year Honour’s Project.

Fourth year Environmental Management student Aaron Aaltonen has been working alongside Glasgow’s Milton Community Centre, home of GCU’s Common Good lab, to introduce the use of renewable energy in an attempt to make the centre more cost effective and sustainable for those who live in the local area.

The Common Good Lab acts as a community hub for the people of Milton, and gives them access to valuable resources to help improve lives thanks to GCU researchers and outreach programmes.

Working closely with lecturers and stakeholders from the Milton Community Centre, Aaron will be conducting his own research which will help contribute towards a real life project.

We spoke to Aaron about why he decided to choose this as his final year Honours Projects and how he feels to be a part of such an important development:

Firstly, could you tell us how the idea of the project came about and why did you want to get involved?

“Initially, there was a pop-up science event relating to new Milton Community Centre and the SNP councillor for the Canal Ward, Bailie Jacqueline McLaren spoke with Dr George Loumakis about introducing renewable energy into the future building.

The main aim was to make the centre more eco-friendly, cost and energy efficient and to benefit the people of Milton. Then Dr Caroline Gallagher, who is my tutor and supervisor for my dissertation, suggested the idea.

I was very keen to get involved and despite having other plans for my dissertation idea, I decided to pursue this one. I wanted to work on something that would incorporate many aspects of my course, whilst having an actual impact on a real project, rather than just a hypothetical one. I wanted to apply the knowledge I’ve gained from the first 3 years of my degree into a real life situation. “

Could you tell us what the aim of the project is and what sort of work will you be doing as part of the study?

“The aim of the project is assessing how the incorporation of renewables into the new Milton community centre site will be beneficial for socioeconomic development. I have been involved in meetings with some of the stakeholders for the project and I will also be carrying research for my own findings. This will be in the form of surveys with various focus groups of people that will use the centre.  

Also, there will be energy consumptions calculated and compared to energy supply figures I will determine for each of the renewable types (solar, wind, geothermal and biomass). Furthermore, GIS (Geographical Information Systems) is a software which allows for layered data on a visual map of an area. I will use GIS to help reach my overall conclusion about which renewable is suitable for the site and why.

How does it feel being involved in a project like this – is it something you ever expected to do whilst at university?

“I didn’t anticipate how real the project was going to feel. I’ve been in meetings involving very senior level individuals and it’s exciting to see how these sorts of projects come together.  

I didn’t expect to be creating work during an undergraduate degree which has the potential to be applied to an actual Glasgow City construction project. I’m very grateful for this meaningful experience which is going to have a huge impact on my career prospects after I graduate.”

How does a project like this resonate with you – is it an area that you can see yourself working in the future?

“I wanted to do my dissertation relating to GIS and this project suited it. I’ve also wanted to work for city councils for the planning aspect of developments and to be involved in this was ideal. I would definitely be interested in pursuing this project to the end if the opportunity was given to me.  

Plus, this has given me a taste of what the process involves and it’s boosted my academic CV, hopefully allowing for more work like this in the future.”

By Rachael McAlonan

Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media  here