I’m a bit late on reporting on this, but Jeff Sorrill of the Department of Landscape at the University of Sheffield says the first UK Green Roof Research Conference went very well and was well received by those attending!

Held on March 18 and 19, 2013 at the University of Sheffield, Green Roof Centre, The Green Roof Research Conference – Bringing together the world’s leading green roof scientists – was the first entirely science focused vegetated roof conference.  The principle aim of the Marie Curie Industry-Academic Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) Green Roof Systems Project is to create a long term strategic partnership between the Green Roofs Research Group at The University of Sheffield and ZinCo GmbH:

The conference fed back on the 4 year EU funded project between the University of Sheffield and ZinCo GmbH, Germany, and set out to challenge the custom and practice of green roofs.

The research findings established through this Industry – Academia partnership interrogated the fundamental green roof understanding of the current age. The very performance metrics by which green roof elements are measured were questioned, the outcomes demonstrated that new research agendas should be adopted.

In addition, leading scientists from the most innovative green roof research centre’s around the world presented their leading edge investigative activity. Speakers included Ed Snodgrass, Emory Knoll Farms, Maryland, USA; Claire Farrell, University of Melbourne, Australia; Professor Nigel Dunnett, IAPP Project Coordinator, University of Sheffield; Dr. Robyn Simcock, Landcare Research, New Zealand; Dr. Abigail Graceson, Harper Adams University College, UK; Mr. Ralf Walker, Division Manager Research and Development, ZinCo GmbH.; Daniel Roehr, Associate Professor, University of British Columbia, Canada; Dr. Anna Palla, University of Genoa, Italy and Dr. Virginia Stovin, University of Sheffield.

Research topic areas include plant selection + screening; Optimised hydrological performance (both, vegetation establishment and stormwater) and Integrative whole system hydrological modelling.

The conference was intentional programmed as a single stream of presentation to emphasise the importance and impact of each consideration of green roofs.

The conference was well attended by a wide range of delegates, from those with a general interest in green roofs, to those with particular research agenda in plants, substrates design and function, manufactured layers and their interaction with water and stormwater management. ~ Green Roof Research Centre 2013 Press Release

By the way, Christine Thuring – PhD researcher (included in the above group  photo and also one of our contributing editors along with Ed Snodgrass)- was also one of the Marie Curie IAPP Green Roof Systems Project Researchers.

You can review much more information as well as the abstracts available at www.green-roof-systems.co.uk.  For additional information, please contact:

Jeff Sorrill,Department of Landscape
University of Sheffield
Arts Tower
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Tel: 0114 222 0622
j.sorrill@sheffield.ac.uk

Happy greening (and continued research!),

~ Linda Velazquez