We caught up with Stephanie Czieso, Lab Operations Manager at Queen Square Institute of Neurology (QSIoN), who spoke to us about how waste posters designed by the QSIoN Sustainability and Waste Management Working Group have been adopted across UCL to improve waste management across the university.

Can you tell us more about the Queen Square Institute of Neurology Sustainability and Waste Management Working Group?

The QSIoN Waste Management Working Group is one of several initiatives established in 2024 under the QSIoN Climate Crisis Committee. The Committee’s overarching goal is to advance research, advocacy, and practical action addressing the climate crisis in the fields of neurology and neurosurgery, while encouraging more sustainable working practices in the Institute’s labs and offices.

Improving waste management at QSIoN was one of the working group’s initial priorities, and it quickly attracted a number of enthusiastic volunteers. The group currently includes around 15 members and meets roughly once a month. Membership is open to all, and the team is made up of post-docs, PhD students, lab managers, and technicians representing a range of QSIoN departments.

When did you realise the need for new signage for bins and waste collection areas?

Waste being placed in the wrong bins has always been a challenge — not just at QSIoN but across many institutions. Proper waste segregation is a key aspect of sustainability, and while most building users genuinely want to dispose of items correctly, confusion about what belongs in each bin has been a persistent issue, especially in labs. Although waste management information is shared during new starter inductions and UCL offers relevant training, it’s easy for people to forget these details when focusing on their work and dealing with their daily commitments. The group therefore decided that introducing clear, easy-to-understand signage directly on waste bins would be a practical first step toward improving compliance and reducing confusion.

What factors did you take into consideration when designing new posters?

First of all we wanted to ensure that the posters are easy to read and easy to follow for users. It was important for us to make them visually appealing and not too wordy. None of us are graphic designers but we still wanted them to look as professional as possible but at the same time stand out amongst all the other signs in our lab and office areas.  We have also included a QR code that directs users to the QSIoN SharePoint which contains further, more specific information about waste disposal. Obviously we also had to make sure that all the information on there is correct. The design process went through various feedback and approval stages. We involved local lab managers as well as the UCL waste managers to ensure we are sending across the right message.

A selection of the posters designed by the QSIoN Waste Management Working Group

Can you talk about the success of the posters at the QSIoN

We initially trialled the posters in several lab and office areas earlier this year, and following the positive response, we’re now rolling them out across the entire Institute. Feedback from staff, senior management, and UCL LEAF auditors has been highly encouraging, particularly praising the clarity and visual examples that make it much easier for users to follow the correct procedures. We’ll continue to monitor compliance over the coming months, but even if this initiative influences the behaviour of just a few individuals, we would already consider it a success.

They’ve recently been adopted by UCL Sustainability, how does it feel to have a local initiative adopted at such a large scale?

I think the entire team that contributed to this can be really proud. This was a user-driven initiative, led by those who best understand what information is missing and how to improve it. It is nice to see how a small effort to address a local issue gets adopted by the wider community. Sharing good ideas instead of duplicating work is always rewarding and if it also helps other departments achieve their sustainability goals, even better!

We caught up with John Draper, Head of Administration in the UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences about winning the 2025 Award for Outstanding Commitment to Sustainability in the recent UCL Sustainability Awards 2025.

Congratulations on your award! What does receiving the 2025 UCL Staff Award for Outstanding Commitment to Sustainability mean to you?

I’m very honoured, its lovely to be recognised and nominated by my colleagues in such an important area. I look on it as a recognition of the great work undertaken by our teams rather than a personal award. I’m fortunate to lead two wonderful teams: the PALS Green Impact Team and the Faculty Sustainability Committee, as well as being part of the wider UCL sustainability movement, which is superbly guided by Sustainable UCL. They’re both great teams of students and staff who are committed to promoting sustainability in the Faculty and beyond. My role has really been as conduit or mouthpiece for the great work that has been undertaken by them. It is their work, ideas and dedication that is being honoured.

You were recognised for over a decade of leadership around sustainability, what projects are you most proud of?

There are so many to be proud: PALS & FBS Sustainable Travel Area; PALS Moonwalk where we walked to the moon; JogOn Initiative; reducing the temperatures of ULT freezers from -80 to -70; PALS Stop Press to reduce printing; PALS FOODCAM; PALS Green Day to name a few.  However the most impactful has been the Powered by Plants initiative which has been adopted widely across UCL as well as psychology departments in the UK and abroad.  I’m also particularly proud of a couple of lower-profile initiatives which took place during the height of Lockdown combining sustainability and well-being:

• We highlighted the positive effect of nature and wildlife during lockdown. Using the hashtag #GreenUCLPALS, people shared images of nature on social media eg wildlife in local parks, foxes in gardens, golf courses being reclaimed by nature.
• We ran the PALS step challenge which aimed to keep us physically active and provide a platform to look out for one another. Random groups of 5 were formed and each member walked 1,000 steps each day before tagging the next member and so on.  It was very rewarding to see the groups keep in contact on a daily basis, share their experiences and help one another.

Both campaigns helped maintain a sense of community and belonging during the most difficult of times.

What challenges have you faced in driving sustainability and how have you overcome them?

Surprisingly few. When introducing potentially controversial initiatives, its important to be consultative and listen as well as be open to change oneself. In all instances, we ensured we explained why we were doing so and that it was evidence-based rather than ideology.

The greatest challenges though have been in our recent project. We were awarded a Grand Challenges Climate Crisis Living lab grant aimed at how academic departments and Estates might collaborate to accelerate a data-driven approach to energy reduction at UCL. We used 26 Bedford Way as a living lab and decided to investigate the impact of air-conditioning. Analysing the data was a challenge: it’s held in a number of different systems that currently do not speak with each other, while some of the data is not intuitive. As such, we spent a great deal of time clambering across the Bedford Way rooftops, scurrying around the plant room, and trawling through spreadsheets trying to decipher what data referred to which piece of equipment. We eventually got there and the data suggests that the air-conditioning in the seminar room opposite my office uses more energy than entire floors in 26BW!

By programming the aircon so that it’s not on 24/7 (as was previously the case) we have shown that the savings from this alone amounts to 12,500 kWh/yr and £3,700/yr. Scaled up across UCL’s 200 buildings, then the savings, both financially and in carbon, should be significant.

What do you think has been the most transformative change in sustainability at UCL over the past ten years?

I’m not sure there’s been one transformative change. The previous sustainability plan played its role in driving the agenda, and the recent one builds on it containing some challenging goals. My opinion is that it could have been bolder but these are important steps nonetheless.

There has been a general acceptance of sustainability though and I’m pleased to be a member of the UCL Sustainability Committee where you get to meet and work alongside dedicated and passionate staff who are constantly pushing for improvement. Many of us have worked across departments trying to deal with the many challenges we face. It’s also pleasing that Grand Challenges on Climate Crisis has been established and I look forward to it pushing the agenda further.

However, there is still much to do and little time to do so. We’ve made significant progress, but each one of us has a part to play whether its taking the stairs, cutting down on unnecessary flying, following meat-free Mondays, turning off the air-conditioning or ensuring our labs are run sustainably.

How have you seen attitudes toward sustainability shift among staff and students during this time?

The change in attitudes has been considerable. Previously sustainability was seen as a niche area but its now taken on increased significance where Living Lab, LEAF and Green Impact are now embedded within UCL. It is now an expectation that every student has the opportunity to study and engage with sustainability, and sustainability has become embedded within many programmes. Another important development was the recent UKRI Environmental Sustainability Concordat aimed at making research more environmentally sustainable.

The Faculty of Brain Sciences was the first Faculty in UCL to set up a Faculty Sustainability Committee, and its pleasing to see that this has been adopted across UCL where our advise has been explicitly sought. As such, it was particularly great to see that every Division and Institute in the Faculty were awarded Golds in both Green Impact & LEAF at the recent Sustainability Awards. This is a great testament to the work undertaken by the sustainability teams. I believe we’re the only Faculty to achieve this although those of a more nerdish inclination may wish to fact-check my bold assertion…!

What advice would you give to staff or students who want to make a meaningful contribution to sustainability at UCL?

Jump in and contribute where you can. There’s no idea or initiative that’s too small or problematic that cannot make a difference. Please engage and share your ideas. Experience has taught us that it’s often the most unplanned or obscure idea that has the greatest effect. We actively encourage team members to pursue projects that are of interest to them and which will hopefully have a major impact. We regularly meet up to discuss where we can improve and plan for the future.

When we started, Green Impact was a challenge where we took tentative steps. It soon became clear just how much we could achieve and, as such, our projects and success grew exponentially. My advice would be to start off on the basics, celebrate successes and move on to the bigger issues. From such tiny acorns, the mighty oak trees of PALS and FBS Sustainability grew.

We caught up with Cameron Gordon, Student Sustainability Ambassador 2024/25 for the Queen Square Institute of Neurology to learn more about the projects he’s been involved in and how he felt about coming highly commended in the recent UCL Sustainability Awards 2025.

Cameron receiving his award at the 2025 Sustainability Awards

What does Sustainability mean to you?

Sustainability has become such a buzzword, used by companies and institutions without them taking sufficient environmental action. Though at its core I think that is what it means: working for the benefit of the environment. You can take a silver lining from this widespread usage though; sustainability and the Climate Crisis are being talked about more, the issue is becoming normalised, and more people are taking action. At the end of the day, sustainability requires collective responsibility.

How did you find out about becoming a Student Sustainability Ambassador, and what made you want to apply?

I heard about becoming an ambassador through an email from the former SU President and I jumped at the opportunity. Sustainability has always been a thing for me – I was involved in lots of fun activities at school, like tree planting and rewilding. Then when I came to UCL I joined the UCL Student Sustainability Council, and was one of the founding members. This position was where I started to feel like I could have more of an impact, working alongside passionate students. But being an ambassador gave me a chance to see behind the scenes at the staff side of things. I wanted to see how projects are conceived and then implemented and hopefully also transfer some of the sense of fun and empowerment that I had got from my experiences.

What has been your highlight during your time as Student Sustainability Ambassador for the Queen Square Institute of Neurology?

I enjoyed working with Sarah, the Green Office Champion at the Institute of Neurology. At first, I thought, what do I know about neurology, as a Geography student? But Sarah not only helped me feel really welcomed but also motivated. UCL is simply a massive institution, and one thing that is certain during your time here is that you will never meet everyone who works and studies here. So having the opportunity to see the passion that these academics and staff members have regarding sustainability through attending their meetings was inspiring for me.

As part of your placement, you developed a digital guide to eating sustainably, what are your takeaways (no pun intended!) from that project?

Researching and creating the guide was really a learning process for me as I hope it is for its readers. I had always heard about the environmental impacts of different foods; you see initiatives like meat free Mondays and a growing prevalence of vegan alternatives. But I had never really looked thoroughly into the stats. And when you do, it is really shocking how big of an impact some of your choices can make. I think that can be empowering.

From talking with friends, I noticed that some people are reluctant to change what they eat, for instance to eat less meat and more vegetarian food. But I think if you give people some help with that first step, like an easy and tasty recipe, then you can show them its quite simple. Then they can build momentum from there. It’s not just going to benefit the environment, you can save money too!

Cameron with his (vegan) banana bread

Congratulations on being ‘highly commended’ for a Student Sustainability Award, how do you feel about that?

It’s nice to feel recognised for something I’ve done. But if it can help promote the Eating Sustainably guide so that it reaches more people, that feels good too. It would be nice to also draw attention to all the other great work on sustainability people are doing at the ION.

I enjoyed going to the awards ceremony at UCL East and seeing all the great work that everyone’s doing across UCL. It is always amazing to see just how many people really do care about the environment across this University. Also, the food was all vegetarian and it was really good!

Find out how you can get involved with sustainability across UCL, either as a student or staff member.

We caught up with Kate Ma, Sustainability Ambassador for the UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences to learn more about the projects she’s been involved in and her excitement about being nominated in the upcoming UCL Sustainability Awards 2025.

What does Sustainability mean to you?

I resonate with Kate Raworth’s definition of sustainability: “to meet the needs of all within the means of the planet.” In other words, sustainability is about creating positive social value for all whilst respecting and operating within the Earth’s ecological limits. Achieving this calls for cross-disciplinary collaboration, ongoing learning, and a shared commitment to collective action.

How did you find out about becoming a Sustainability Ambassador, and what made you want to apply?

I first learned about Sustainable UCL and the Sustainability Ambassadors Programme during Welcome Week. As an MSc student in Business and Sustainability, I was immediately drawn to the opportunity to accelerate my learning and apply what I was studying in the classroom to real-world contexts across the university, all while contributing to UCL’s sustainability goals.

What has been your highlight during your time as Green Impact Student Ambassador for the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences?

One of the highlights of my experience has been meeting and collaborating with other members of the PALS Green Impact Team. It’s inspiring to see how motivated everyone is to contribute and to make PALS– and the wider UCL community– as sustainable as possible. For example, the team hosts an annual PALS Green Day, and this year welcomed students across the university to come to 26 Bedford Way to plant seeds, decorate flower pots, take part in sustainability talks, etc. The event perfectly showcased how the Green Impact Team brings sustainability to life in a way that is fun, engaging, inclusive, and impactful.

If you’re interested in making a difference, I highly recommend joining the PALS Green Impact Team! To get involved, please email our fantastic chair, John Draper.

Can you tell us about any projects that you have led or been involved with as part of your role? How have they made an impact?

One of the projects I worked on was the Take the Stairs initiative. Jake Fairnie helped us design a set of eye-catching posters that highlighted the environmental impact of small, everyday choices– like taking the stairs instead of the lift. We placed the posters next to the lifts on every floor of 26 Bedford Way and later surveyed building occupants to assess their impact.

The results were encouraging: 90% of respondents had seen the posters, and while many were already using the stairs, 30% said the posters influenced them to take the stairs more often. Respondents described them as a “good reminder to take the stairs” and said they made them “think consciously about the environment.”

In terms of expanding our impact, several other departments have already expressed interest in borrowing the poster design and we’d love to see this initiative expand across UCL’s campus!

Another project I’ve been involved in is a Grand Challenges Living Lab focused on accelerating a data-driven, collaborative approach to reducing energy use across the university. This summer, we’re using 26 Bedford Way as a pilot building to test some of our ideas in practice. Based on the outcomes, we’ll then propose ways to scale these approaches across UCL’s buildings and departments. Stay tuned– more to come!

Congratulations on being nominated for a Student Sustainability Award, how do you feel about that?

I’m really honoured and grateful. UCL is a special place, and it’s a privilege to contribute to and be part of such a diverse and inclusive community. I’ve met so many passionate and dedicated people working hard to make UCL more sustainable. It’s been a true collective effort, and I’ve learned so much from everyone around me. Thank you!

In this blog, Professor Simon Mead and Azy Khalili talk about the sustainability takeaways from reducing freezer temperatures at the UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, from risk management to carbon and cost savings. We also provide a snapshot of ultralow temperature (ULT) freezers across the Faculty.

ULT freezers are used for long-term storage of biomolecules, such as proteins and DNA. They typically provide a temperature between -40 to -80°C to protect samples from heat-associated denaturation. Historically, ULT freezers were set at -65°C or -70°C until manufacturers in the 80s and 90s marketed -80°C as the new standard. This was despite the lack of evidence showing a superior performance in terms of sample stability or recovery, not to mention the additional energy consumption and cost. After careful planning, in early 2024, staff at the UCL Institute of Prion Diseases (IOPD) made the decision to turn their ULT freezers down to -70°C. Now, a year later, they reflect on this decision in terms of sustainability benefits, sample integrity and cost savings.

Making the switch at the IOPD: Evaluating the potential risks

Before making the switch, careful planning and reporting was essential. Those at the IOPD needed to make sure that -70°C was acceptable to all before going ahead. This involved considering the potential risks.

One primary concern was sample integrity, particularly for long-term storage of sensitive biomaterials. However, existing studies indicated that many biological materials—including genomic DNA, fungal isolates, plasma antibodies, and cardiac biomarkers—remain stable at -70°C for extended periods. No compelling evidence supported the notion that -80°C is necessary for sample preservation over -70°C.

Another risk involved freezer performance during power outages. Lower storage temperatures theoretically provide a buffer against temperature fluctuations in case of failures. However, studies show that a freezer at -80°C only extends the time before reaching -20°C by 35 additional minutes compared to a freezer set at -70°C (19h 45m vs. 19h 10m). This difference was minimal, especially for modern, well-insulated freezers. Additionally, most research freezers at IOPD are connected to backup power and alarm systems, mitigating this risk.

Operationally, concerns may arise regarding staff and researcher acceptance of the change. A transparent communication strategy—including references to scientific literature and comparative data—helps ensure confidence in the switch. Regular audits of sample quality over time further reassures researchers that -70°C remains a reliable storage standard.

Cutting carbon and costs at IOPD

The transition from -80°C to -70°C at the IOPD presents significant sustainability benefits. The IOPD now have 34 freezers turned down to -70°C.

By lowering freezer temperatures to -70°C, IOPD has observed energy savings of approximately 32-33%, as confirmed by in-house measurements and external reports from manufacturers such as ThermoFisher and Eppendorf. This translates to lower electricity consumption, reducing institutional carbon footprints and operational costs.

At IOPD, these changes have led to an annual estimated cost saving of over £17,000 for 21 freezers and £5,800 for 12 Cryocube freezers, based on energy rates of 30p/kWh in London.

Furthermore, reducing freezer loads by discarding unnecessary or outdated samples enhances sustainability. Freezers with optimized space usage maintain stable internal temperatures, prolong equipment lifespan, and minimize maintenance issues. By implementing these changes, IOPD contributes to UCL’s broader sustainability goals, aligning with environmental responsibility and cost-efficiency in research operations.

Snapshot of ULT Freezer temperatures across the Faculty:

• UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology: 94% of ULT Freezers are at -70°C. They hope to reach 100% soon
• UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences: 100% of ULT freezers are set to -70°C
• UCL Ear Institute: 100% (two out of two) ULT freezers both set to -70°C%
• UCL Division of Psychiatry: 67% (two out of three) freezers are set at -70°C. One remains at -80°C because this temperature was specified as the storage temperature in a clinical trial. Once the data for this trial has been analysed, the freezer will be set to -70°C
• UCL Institute of Ophthalmology: 29% (eight out of 28) freezers set at -70°C, with the rest at -80°C. They are taking steps to switch more freezers to a warmer temperature.

In this blog, Dr Olga Tiurikova, Research Fellow in the Department of Clinical & Experimental Epilepsy at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology talks about the benefits and challenges of using human brain tissue in research. 

One of the current ethical challenges in sustainable research is finding feasible alternatives for the use of animals in laboratory experiments. That’s why I was excited to participate in a study funded by the NC3Rs (National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement, and Reduction of Animals in Research). Working with a team led by Prof. Dmitri Ruskov and Prof. Matthew Walker, we used human brain tissue removed during epilepsy surgeries to study astroglia. Astroglia are a class of neural cells that are foung in the brain and spinal cord. They support neurons, repair damage, and maintain the blood-brain barrier. This research, in collaboration with neurosurgeons from Queen Square Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic, allowed us to explore how these cells function and respond to physiological stimuli. Here, I want to share the key lessons learned—the benefits and challenges of using human brain tissue in research—hoping to inspire others to consider similar approaches.

Why human brain tissue for glial research?

Astroglia, once thought to be merely structural support cells, are now recognised as active players in brain function. They shape synaptic transmission and are seen as key targets for treating neurological disorders. Over the years, many attempts have been made to study the properties of human astroglial cells, mostly using fixed post-mortem human brain samples. Whilst useful for morphological studies, fixed samples are useless for understanding how live astroglia work. That’s where our project comes in—we use human brain tissue immediately after surgery to keep cells alive and study these cells in action.

The unique benefits of using human brain tissue

While the use of animal models remains invaluable in advancing our understanding of cellular mechanisms, they fall short of capturing the full complexity of human biology. This gap is particularly evident in studies of astroglia. For instance, the human cortex contains five distinct subtypes of astroglia, two of which are absent in rodents. These astroglial subtypes have unique, long, cable-like protrusions spanning multiple layers of the cortex, however, their functions remain largely unknown. Thus, using human brain tissue opens new possibilities to study these subtypes of astroglia that may be missed when relying solely on animal models and lead to new therapeutic opportunities.

That said, animal research is still crucial for studying complex systems, especially in the context of diseases and treatments. The real strength lies in integrating both approaches: using human tissue to investigate cellular processes and animal models to explore how new findings translate into the systemic level for long-term effects.

Navigating the challenges

Despite its promise, working with human brain tissue comes with challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was the time-sensitive nature of the samples. Since the tissue had to be studied within hours after removal, we ensured all experimental settings were ready before the surgery even began. The occasional nature of experiments requires us to be extremely efficient. To mitigate some obstacles, we are considering creating organotypic human tissue. This miniaturized, lab-grown brain tissue—or organotypic cultures we can apply to extend the usability of such a valuable post-surgical human sample.

Towards a more ethical future

Using human brain tissue from surgeries marks a significant step forward in reducing animal testing in neuroscience. This approach enhances our understanding of human brain function. Moreover, it aligns with ethical research practices and reduces the number of animals used. While animal models will remain essential for some studies, human brain tissue offers a valuable alternative, helping us move toward more humane and effective research methodologies.

Image credit: Google DeepMind on Pexels

As registration opens for Hot Brain 2: Climate Change and Brain Health, Professor Sanjay Sisodiya (Deputy Director for Sustainability and Climate Change, Queen Square Institute of Neurology and founder of Epilepsy Climate Change) looks back on the Institute’s first climate change conference in 2023.

Climate change is already affecting our lives.  What does it mean for the neuroscience community and people with neurological conditions, and for those working in neurological healthcare?

This one day hybrid conference highlighted the impacts of climate change across the spectrum of neuroscience, beginning dialogues on how we can respond in neuroscience.

The opening address was given by Professor Geraint Rees (UCL Vice Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) and the first three sessions each began with moving testimonies of the lived experiences of climate impacts for people with neurological conditions (Dravet Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis and Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood).

After contemporary outlines of climate change from Professor Mark Maslin (Department of Geography, UCL) and of how the body copes with heat from Professor Michael Tipton (University of Portsmouth), presentations followed from neuroscience researchers including Dr James Mills and Dr Nathanael O’Neill (Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Queen Square Institute of Neurology) and Professor David Henshall (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland), complemented by researchers from multi-disciplinary perspectives including:

• Dr Kris De Meyer (Director of the UCL Climate Action Unit) on the Psychology of Climate Change; Professor Anna Mavrogianni (Bartlett School of the Environment, Energy and Resources, UCL) on adapting residential care;
• Professor Michael Davies (Bartlett School of the Environment, Energy and Resources, UCL) on built environment effects;
• Dr Marina Romanello (UCL Institute for Global Health and Research Director of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change) on the health cost of Climate Change; and
• Kris Murray (Professor of Environment and Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) on the spread of disease.

International perspectives were given by Dr Angel Aledo-Serrano (Director of the Neuroscience Institute, Vithas Madrid La Milgrosa University Hospital) and Dr Bernadette Macrohon (Paediatric Neurologist, Zamboanga, Phillipines).

These were followed by Dr Natalia Kurek (Senior Clinical Lead, Greener NHS Programme) who presented on the Greener NHS plan, and Richard Smith (Chair, UK Health Alliance on Climate Change) who gave a call to action on what we can do as health professionals.

I facilitated a discussion and presented the poster award before Professor Michael Hanna (Director, Queen Square Institute of Neurology) gave the closing remarks.

Following on from the success of this first conference, ION has organised Hot Brain 2, with The Lancet Neurology. The aims of the conference are to raise awareness about the risks of climate change for the brain and neurological healthcare, to nurture global collaborative research, and to promote action against climate change and foster adaptation strategies. The conference will cover a variety of topics including temperature and the brain, and climate impacts on neurological infections and sleep.

Dr Sara Leddy from Queen Square Institute of Neurology discusses her research project investigating the effects of climate change on people with neurological diseases and what attracted her to this area.

On a personal level I have been worried about climate change for a long time, but as a doctor I wasn’t quite sure how best I could help, and often felt caught up with clinical work. It wasn’t until the beginning of the pandemic, that I realised what a powerful and essential role healthcare and other individuals can play in a global health crisis and how relevant this was to the crisis which we are now facing caused by climate change.

This inspired me to get involved in my previous trust’s sustainability group as well as local activism groups, and ultimately led to me to hear about the inspiring work that Professor Sisodiya, Deputy Director, Sustainability and Climate Change, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, has been leading in this field. I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to combine my interests in neurology and climate change and am undertaking a PhD supervised by Professor Sisodiya, which started in September this year.

My research project seeks to characterise the effects of climate change on people with neurological diseases. There is currently limited evidence for a link between climate change and other neurological diseases.

However, when considered in its entirety, with its pervasive consequences, it is very likely to affect this vulnerable patient group in a number of ways. For example, weather-related disasters, which are increasing in frequency have led, in other countries, to disruption of supply chains responsible for medicines and health provision. Hotter temperatures at night during heat waves lead to disturbed sleep which can significantly lower the seizure threshold of an individual with epilepsy.

Certain genetic epilepsy syndromes are temperature-sensitive, and anecdotally patients and their carers have reported a deterioration of seizure control during the heatwaves of recent years. This has been noted by several neurologists in different countries looking after this complex group of patients.

Other neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and dementia are likely to have negative outcomes in extreme temperatures. Those diseases with features of autonomic or thermoregulatory dysfunction, such as Huntington’s disease, MSA, primary autonomic failure, certain peripheral neuropathies, and spinal cord injuries are also likely to be adversely affected.

Guidelines on the management of these diseases under extremes of temperature are yet to be developed and may significantly improve the quality of life for these individuals, in addition to preventing hospital admissions and additional harm during future heatwaves.

With large-scale validated surveys, my project hopes to provide evidence about the concerns of individuals with neurological disease and their families about climate change, to delineate what they are experiencing and to learn from their current adaptation strategies.

By using temperature and humidity monitors in certain clinical sites and in the homes of people with selected neurological conditions, in addition to recruiting individuals to take part in experiments using climate chambers, we seek to identify the direct effects of real-world temperature and humidity profiles on validated symptom, cognitive and clinical outcome measures, and on thermal comfort in this vulnerable cohort. I also plan to explore the effects of heatwave-simulated temperatures on medicines which are commonly used to treat neurological diseases, as this may give us further information on how best to store these drugs in future heatwaves.

Understanding the role of thermoregulation and its dysfunction in these conditions, alongside the effects of climate change, may give a further understanding of the disease itself, leading to additional novel avenues for future research, but most importantly it will allow us to prepare for the unpredictable climates which both we and our patients now face.

As clinicians and researchers, we have the opportunity and obligation to advocate for, and protect, patients from the difficulties that climate change will bring. I hope that my project will shine a light on how much we can and need to do for people with neurological diseases and inspire others to get involved! I am very grateful to the National Brain Appeal and the Epilepsy Society for funding this work.

If anyone would like to learn more about the project, please feel free to contact me (s.leddy@ucl.ac.uk) or come along to the workshop organised by Professor Sisodiya and Professor Helene Plun-Favreau on 24 January at 3pm in Room 412, 40 Bernard St, London WC1N 1LE.

“This event is a chance for early career researchers, students and technical staff to start a conversation around climate change and sustainability. What concerns you? What would you like to see change at UCL? How would you like to get involved? With input from a number of colleagues working on sustainability, and plenty of space for discussion, this is a great chance to start generating change.”

For further reading please see a recent article in Practical Neurology, with practical climate advice for neurologists.

Find out more about sustainability at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology.

Richard Jardine from the UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences reflects on the impact of the green garden at Chandler House. 

Welcome to Chandler House, where sustainability and creativity converge to create a remarkable green space. Carefully cultivated by the dedicated staff and students, this garden has transformed from modest beginnings into a sanctuary of wellbeing, biodiversity, and even an engaging chili-growing challenge.

From Office Discards to Blooming Beauty

The story of Chandler House’s garden began with a sustainable twist. Old office bins found new life as plant pots. But the recycling endeavour didn’t stop there; resourceful minds also repurposed old shelves, wooden pallets, and even former oil drums, turning them into unique and functional planters.

A Collaborative Endeavor

The individuals behind this thriving garden are the dedicated staff and students of Chandler House. Together, they’ve created a garden that features a mix of wildflowers, bedding plants, acers, herbs, ferns, and the occasional sunflower. After all, who can resist the charm of a sunflower?

A Haven for Wildlife

This green haven isn’t just for people; it’s also a magnet for wildlife. Insects and a variety of bird species have found a welcoming home here, including blue tits, starlings, blackbirds, sparrows, and magpies. The garden has become a harmonious ecosystem, proving that nature can coexist within the heart of the city.

Bug Hotel by the Library Staff

To make the garden even more welcoming to critters, the library staff added a bug hotel. It’s not just a spot for students and researchers to enjoy; it’s also a haven for the tiniest guests.

A Wellbeing Retreat

Beyond its visual appeal, Chandler House’s garden offers a much-needed break from screens and the hustle and bustle of university life. It’s a therapeutic escape for gardening enthusiasts and a calming experience for anyone who takes a moment to tend to the plants.

A Window to Nature

The garden doesn’t just enhance the exterior space; it also transforms the view from the glass atrium windows, offering everyone inside a peaceful, natural view.

PALS Green Day Extravaganza and Richard’s Chili Challenge

The annual PALS Green Day is a highlight on Chandler House’s calendar. In 2023, it added an engaging twist to its eco-friendly initiatives. Staff and students were encouraged to use recycled pots for planting chili seeds. Hasan, from the Bedford Way cafe, added to the excitement by offering a free drink to successful chili growers. Additionally, these homegrown chilies would be incorporated into the cafe’s dishes. Richard Jardine, an enthusiastic participant, walked into the cafe with his chili harvest recently to get his cup of coffee.

Looking Ahead to 2024

The good news is that 2024 promises even more exciting activities. Keep an eye out for Green Day announcements, whether it’s growing more chilies or embarking on another unique project. Chandler House continues to be an exciting place to be!

Join the Green Team

For those eager to make a difference, Chandler House invites you to join the PALS Green Impact team. It’s a fantastic way to help plan green events, brainstorm innovative ideas, and contribute to a greener world. Interested? Just send an email to John Draper or visit the Green Impact website for more information.

Awards and Accolades

For the record, PALS has held the title of the greenest department at UCL for a decade. It’s a testament to their commitment to sustainability.

So, the next time you find yourself at Chandler House, take look at the remarkable Green Impact garden. It’s proof that when old office items meet innovative minds, something extraordinary can bloom, leaving you more connected to the world around you!

Andrea Hodgetts, Head of Strategic Partnerships for FLS/FMS and OVPH Sustainability Lead, shares with us what motivated her to start cutting single use plastic (SUP) waste and how Plastic Free July® (PFJ) helped her to do this.

Many of us will have heard about the emerging threat associated with plastic pollution. Its effects are found everywhere: in the air, on land and in our oceans. For me, the realisation of just how bad the problem is came in 2018 when I spent five months traveling around South America. As I traversed the lengths of Chile and Argentina I was horrified by the amount of plastic waste littering the sides of the roads.

Self-righteously I convinced myself it wasn’t anywhere near as bad in the UK, but when I returned home, I knew I was just kidding myself. I also knew that because of my lifestyle at the time, some of it was my fault and I needed to take responsibility.

Initially I just made small changes such as buying a Keepcup, making sure I always kept a fold-up bag in my handbag and I pledged that I would no longer use cling film and find sustainable alternatives. Soon afterwards, I discovered a zero waste shop (aptly name Zéro) had opened up in Merton Abbey Mills, close to where I lived which helped reduce my SUP waste enormously.

The big change came in June 2019 when Facebook’s algorithms had picked up on my interest in sustainability and showed me an advert about Plastic Free July® (PFJ). PFJ is a key initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation, an organisation that aims to see a world free of plastic waste.

The premise is to start small, by making the pledge to reduce your plastic waste for a month, with the intention being that this will continue. Being an incredibly goal driven person, this gave me something to aim for so I jumped headlong into my first Plastic Free July!

To track the changes I made and alternative SUP free products I tried I kept a blog: Andrea goes plastic free. It included things like changing to soap from shower gel, avoiding ready made dips, giving up crisps and savoury snacks and worst of all for me, no Haribo!

Over the course of that one month I ended up generating 52 pieces of SUP waste. 25 of these were the sticky plastic labels you get on individual vegetables when you don’t buy them in a multipack. For a full list see: https://plasticfreeandrea.blogspot.com/2019/07/31st-july-2019.html

Annually this would equate to 624 items of plastic, against the current estimated average of 3432 per household[1]. Unfortunately I’d not had chance to keep a full track of what my usage was before this, but the based on the items I’d generated and the number of things that I’d stopped buying I would estimate this would have been about 50% less than usual.

Looking back it’s interesting to see the different things I started doing, how many of them I’ve stuck with and how many have fallen by the wayside. In 2019 I loved the natural plastic free deodorant, but around a year later, for some reason I started reacting to it. Despite trying five other types of waste free deodorants I’ve not found another that works for me yet so I’ve had to revert to plastic containing varieties.

However I still make and swear by my bathroom/kitchen cleaner made from all purpose concentrate, white vinegar and water, the first two ingredients comings from a zero waste shop. Sadly, the fabulous Zéro closed in 2022. However, Tooting market has one called BYO which whilst slightly less convenient has a fantastic range of products.

So am I still such a low generator of SUP waste? No, I wouldn’t say I was, but (other than the deodorant!) it’s pretty much all food associated, with most coming fruits such as berries that you just can’t buy in anything other than plastic.

Will I be doing PFJ this year? Absolutely. It’s the annual reset that I need to start shopping more consciously and less for convenience. For anyone that wants to take that first step to reducing their SUP waste it’s a great place to start!

See a list of zero waste shops in London.

[1] https://www.statista.com/study/51904/plastic-waste-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/

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