The Centre for Alternative Technology provides an ideal venue and inspiration for research in the field of sustainable architecture and renewable energy, with over 35 years' practical experience and many working examples of building methods and renewable technologies on site. This provides a unique environment for study, with access to leading experts in their fields.

The Graduate School of the Environment (GSE) is currently expanding its research capabilities, and we are interested to hear from prospective PhD and Professional Doctoral students with an interest in subjects related to sustainable architecture and renewable energy.

The GSE now offers a Doctor of Ecological Building Practices (D.EBP) programme available full- or part-time.

If you have a research proposal or would like to discuss possibilities, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Recent research publications

McInerney, M. and Tucker, S. (2012) Renewable versus Non-Renewable Building Fabric: A comparative study of the effect of material choice on the embodied energy and global warming potential of low energy dwellings, Advances in Computing and Technology: 7th Annual Conference, London: University of East London

Brooks, J. and Tucker, S. (2012) Key challenges and solutions to increasing energy efficiency through insulation of existing post-1930s blocks of flats in the private housing sector, Advances in Computing and Technology: 7th Annual Conference, London: University of East London

Solomons, N. and Tucker, S. (2012) The potential for interstitial condensation when retrofitting insulation to Victorian solid brick walls –a hygrothermal study, Advances in Computing and Technology: 7th Annual Conference, London: University of East London

Butler, T., Littlewood, J & Tucker, S. (2011) Investigating the potential benefits and risks for low to zero energy air sourced earth coupled cooling and heating systems, CIBSE Technical Symposium: 06 September, 2011, De Montfort University

Beal, D. Littlewood, J. R. & Tucker, S. (2011) How can the Transition Movement help tenant/landlord relations in a small rural community? International Built & Human Environment Research Week 2011, University of Salford

Corner, A. & Randall, A., (2011) Selling climate change? The limitations of social marketing as a strategy for climate change public engagement, Global Environmental Change, Volume 21, Issue 3, August 2011, pp 1005-1014

Latif, E., Tucker, S, Wijeyesekera, D. C. (2011) Fibrous hemp insulation: An initial study of its thermal and hygric properties, International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS): 17th Annual Conference, New York 08-10 May. New York: Columbia University

Rhydwen, R., Tucker, S., Butler, A., Wijeyesekera, C. (2011) An initial report into thermal performance of hemp lime wall sections in the WISE building at CAT. Advances in Computing and Technology: 6th Annual Conference, London: University of East London ISBN 978-0-9564747-1-1.

Latif, E., Rhydwen, R., Pruteanu, M., Wijeyesekera, C., Tucker, S., Ciupala, MA., Newport, D. (2011) Thermal conductivity of building materials: an overview of its determination. Advances in Computing and Technology: 6th Annual Conference, London: University of East London ISBN 978-0-9564747-1-1.

Holcroft, N., Rhydwen, R., Butler, A., Wijeyesekera, C., (2010) Investigation into the effect of different dynamic heating profiles on the thermal performance of hemp-binder walls, Advances in Computing and Technology: 6th Annual Conference, London: University of East London (paper accepted).

Wilkinson, S., Rhydwen, R., Wijeyesekera, C., (2010) A study of the moisture buffering potential of hemp and binder insulating walls, Advances in Computing and Technology: 6th Annual Conference, London: University of East London (paper accepted).

Latif, E., and Tucker, S., (2010) An investigation into the impact of adding an operable thermal insulation layer to an uninsulated metal roof in a free running building, ICBEDC 2010 - 4th International Conference on Built Environment in Developing Countries, Penang, Malaysia.

Linsley-Hood, D., Butler, A., Jollins, M., Littlewood, J., and Tucker, S. (2010) The viability of small scale biomass combined heat and power for the UK - initial findings from case study research, Conference Proceedings of ‘Energy in the City’, International Solar Energy Society, 23-24 June 2010, London.

Latif, E., Wijeyesekera, D.C., Newport, D., Tucker, S., (2010) Potential for research on hemp insulation in the UK construction sector, Proceedings of the Advances in Computing and Technology, University of East London, 2010, pp143-150, ISBN 978-0-9564747-0-4.