What’s your job title and how long have you been at Loughborough?

I am a Reader in Sustainable Production and Consumption within the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering. I joined Loughborough in 2010 as a post-doctoral research associate and have never left. That must be a good sign.

Tell us what a typical day in your job looks like?

Many people say it, and it’s absolutely true – there’s no such thing as a typical day. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy my job so much. My day usually starts with a one-hour cycle into the University (almost always into a headwind). The first task, therefore, is to change out of my Lycra and freshen up for the day ahead. I’ll spend the first 30 minutes, tea in hand, clearing up any leftover emails from the day before and updating my plan of action.

This morning began with a departmental carbon action planning meeting, followed by updating and publishing some slides for my Industrial Sustainability module. In the afternoon, I did many smaller (but still important) things. I completed a module specification for a new module launching next year, met with two final year project students to discuss their progress, met with another student in the lab to make sure they could use a piece of apparatus for their work, organised interviews for a PhD scholarship I recently advertised, and provided a sample of coursework for an external examiner. Oh, and wrote this blog.

Other days are less bitty. I might spend the morning drafting or reviewing a paper, and the afternoon speaking with several companies about a potential research opportunity.

Then I cycle home again, once more (and almost inexplicably) into a headwind.

What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?

A few years ago, I worked with some colleagues from different schools across the campus where we were investigating the barriers (and of course the solutions) to the uptake of reusable food packaging. It was a three and a half year project and the team worked really well together, we did some very interesting research and generated some lasting engagement with industry. It was just good to have people from different departments, and their varied perspectives, tackling a core problem that has a significant potential benefit for the environment. The project has led to ongoing research activities, a patent application and participation in some high-profile events. It’s a great example of how collaborative, interdisciplinary work can generate impact well beyond the original scope.

What is your proudest moment at Loughborough?

There are many things that make me proud at Loughborough, but the moments that stand out the most are when my PhD students submit their theses and pass their vivas. It’s incredibly rewarding to see these intelligent, dedicated researchers develop their expertise, strengthen their research skills, and demonstrate them to such a high standard.

What makes it even more special is watching where they go next: becoming academics in their own right, industry leaders, and in one case, even working within their national government. Knowing that there are now six doctors out there who I’ve supported through that process, and who have grown into world class, independent thinkers, is just a really nice feeling.

Which University value do you most resonate with and why?

I think the spectrum of values we hold at Loughborough really reflects what the institution strives to achieve. But the one that resonates most strongly with me is collaboration.

Perhaps this is because I’m an engineer, and engineering is fundamentally about identifying real‑world problems and then applying our skills, knowledge, and understanding to create workable solutions. Very rarely can this be done in isolation. Being able to collaborate with academics and researchers from different fields, with different backgrounds and perspectives, as well as with industry partners, end‑users, and policymakers, is essential.

Tell us something you do outside of work that we might not know about?

I’m quite house‑proud and, without blowing my own trumpet too much, pretty decent at DIY. This past summer, I converted our loft space into a Lego room for the children. It meant picking up a few new skills along the way: I have admit that cutting into the ceiling joists was an interesting and slightly worrying moment. But the room is finished, the kids love playing in it, and it hasn’t collapsed, so I’m classing that as a success.

What is your favourite quote?

“Every day’s a good day.”

If you would like to feature in ‘Five Minutes With’, or you work with someone who you think would be great to include, please email Martha Causier at m.causier@lboro.ac.uk.