Sustainability in research – a Francis Crick Institute perspective
Sustainability in research – a Francis Crick Institute perspective
14 March 2025, 11h00-12h00 (online & in-person)
General context
This talk will cover the need for Research Institutes to change behaviors and practices to reduce their environmental impact—a summary of Crick's sustainability strategy and the initiatives being carried out to meet its targets.
At the end of the webinar, participants will:
- Find out more about the work done with the lab users at Crick's Institute
- Discover changes that can be made within research practices that reduce our impact on the environment
- Know more about implementing the LEAF Framework without compromising world-class science
- Collect best practices and spread the initiative to more groups by promoting the pioneers
UCL (UK) developed the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF), a program to drive sustainability within Laboratories. Initiated in 2018 as a 2-year pilot program, LEAF was developed through the collective input of at least 20 institutions. It has now been rolled out in 95 institutions worldwide.
VIB started to roll out LEAF in eleven pioneer labs in July 2024. Two research groups have a Bronze Level certification.
The goal is to collect best practices and spread the initiative to more groups by promoting the pioneers. Eventually, all 98 research groups should enter the program, just as the Francis Crick Institute aims to.
All VIB staff
- This training is only open to VIB participants.
- Lunch will be provided after the webinar for participants that join in person and indicate during registration that they will join. For people that did not register, we cannot provide lunch.
- Click here for more information.
Trainers
Rajnika Kaur Hirani
Rajnika is a sustainability professional with extensive experience in effecting change and innovation to deliver company sustainability goals and business models. Rajnika has been working in the Sustainability field for over 20 years and is currently the Head of Sustainability at the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research centre. Her experience spans various industries including life science, nuclear, transport, construction, agriculture, waste and national government. Rajnika is Board member to the Laboratory Efficiency Action Network and the Sustainable European Laboratory network.
Program
11h00-12h00 - Sustainability in Research – A Francis Crick Institute Perspective
12h00 - 13h00 - Informal lunch & networking (opportunity to interact with the speaker)
Practical info
14 March 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
14 March 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Leuven train station is approximately 4 km from the campus Gasthuisberg. Buses depart very regularly to the Gasthuisberg Campus from Leuven train station.
For tickets and up to date schedules visit website De Lijn or use the De Lijn App.
Exit at the very last bus stop ‘Gasthuisberg Campus) make sure not to exit at ‘Gasthuisberg Kliniek =
hospital)
Once you get off the bus, go to your right and go up the street until you see stairs to your left. Climb the stairs all the way up between two buildings. Look for the signs containing blue circles and white numbers and follow them all the way from 2 up to number 12. You will cross several buildings and the walk will take max. 10 minutes. When you reach number 12, you have reached O&N 5, where you can find the reception.
14 March 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
The Gasthuisberg campus is west of the Leuven ring. Our buildings are situated behind the hospital (see black arrow near ‘RING NOORD’ on the map). If you come from the city center, you will arrive on campus from the east side (taking Mgr. Van Waeyenberglaan and roundabout Het Teken). If you come from Heverlee or Campus Arenberg, you will arrive from the west side (taking the Celestijnenlaan and Taborweg). When you arrive uphill at the intersection with the Rega Institute and the Red Cross building, you need to take the road down to the bicycle parking at Rega Institute (see map) where you can park. Next, follow the ‘Onderwijs & Navorsing blue route’ description below (start point is #9).
14 March 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
You arrive via the E314 highway – EXIT 16
After 200 m, keep left to drive underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
You arrive via the Leuven ring road
At the roundabout, take the exit towards ‘Spoed / Ziekenhuis’.
Follow the ring around Campus Gasthuisberg and pass the entrance of SPOED.
Continue right until you arrive at a second roundabout.
Follow the directions for E314.
Near the Fire Brigade Station, make a U-turn and follow the directions for ‘Ziekenhuis’.
Keep left and drive downhill, underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
Next, leave the parking at level +1 using the big stairs near the vending machines.
Follow the red carpet and arrows to 'Onco Dagcentrum' to get to the O&N buildings. Take the stairs on your left after exiting Parking West. You are now in front of the O&N4 building; on the left you will find O&N5.
14 March 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
O&N5 - Aula - 4th floor