Profile
Profile
Dr Ruth Cherrington
Lecturer in Sustainable Futures
+44 (0) 1326 255029
B046-021
University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE
Role
Ruth's research addresses the intersecting topics of innovation, circular economy, and skills development. Her research focuses on the relationship between resources, business, and the environment, with the aim of expanding knowledge and understanding in these areas. Her work aims to bring together business engagement activities and regional initiatives in order to build and implement innovative teaching and learning approaches.
Profile
Ruth joined the University of Exeter in February 2017. In her previous roles she was responsible for several industry funded research projects which focused on the environmental, social and financial implications of the materials and manufacturing processes within sectors such as automotive, energy and aerospace.
Ruth has a BSc in Renewable Energy from the University of Exeter, is an Associate of the Camborne School of Mines (ACSM) and has a PhD in Engineering from the University of Warwick. She was selected to take part in the GW4 Crucible 2021 which offers the opportunity for future research leaders to come together to generate innovative, multifaceted responses to tackle global challenges. She trained to become a facilitator of the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method in 2021, which she regularly uses to engage with businesses and students in learning. In 2021, she acheived Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), demonstrating a commitment to teaching, learning and the student experience through the Academic Practice (PCAP) Apprenticeship.
Ruth faciltates the 'Help to Grow' management course for SMEs in Cornwall, where she builds connections and serves as a crucial contact throughout the programme. She also teaches on the BSc Business and BSc Business and Environment courses on the Penryn campus in Cornwall.
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Renewable Energy
- PhD in Engineering
Links
Research interests
- Sustainability
- Circular Economy
- Innovation
- Materials
Research projects
Innovation Caucus Thought Leadership Project ‘Future of Innovation: Design; Social Capital; Green Growth’
Aug 2022 - Dec 2022
This study takes up the call for further research by considering how social innovation in a specific regional context and a particular industry (namely fashion and textiles) can support progress toward a circular economy. The fashion and textile industry is an area of strategic national importance to the national economy as a key input to multiple commercial sectors, value chains and products. It is a sector that presents an opportunity to transform and deliver substantially better economic, societal, and environmental outcomes. It is hoped that this research will help to further consider how placed-based approaches can be implemented across other regions to enable local businesses and communities to thrive. This study is intended to provide new insights to inform further work, shape industrial strategy and influence future regional and national policy and practice, whilst aiming to identify and analyse innovation-led growth.
SMART and Sustainable Coatings ( funded through the UKRI EPSRC Circular Economy Network+ in Transportation Systems)
Aug 2020- Mar 2021
In the move towards light weighting and the circular economy (CE), thermoplastic composites in transport are becoming increasingly attractive. However, the thermoset coatings traditionally applied for these applications cause subsequent problems for thermoplastic recycling systems. Therefore, to address this issue, this research collaboration between the University of Warwick and the University of Exeter looks at both academic developments in the coating industry and potential implementation strategies for industry in the circular economy.
Exeter Multidisciplinary Plastics Research hub: ExeMPLaR (EP/S025529/1)
Jan 2019 – June 2021
In a circular economy, clean growth is achieved by increasing the value derived from existing and planned economic infrastructure, products and materials which in turn significantly reduces or eliminates negative externalities. Increased value can be achieved by maintaining the integrity of a product or material at a higher level, using products longer, cascading their use in adjacent value chains and designing pure, high quality feedstocks (avoiding contamination and toxicity). A circular economy approach to plastics addresses simultaneously the accumulation, impact and costs in the environment whilst maintaining applications for multiple high value purposes. To translate potential to reality requires new circular plastics systems that
a) co-ordinate and integrate key system players and activities across the value chain
b) are underpinned by rigorous scientific research evidence;
c) promote novel and creative approaches to the circulation and cascading of plastics in society and;
d) demonstrate and proof points in support of decision-making and action at varying scale
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year