Circular Economy Short Courses Offered by Cranfield University

Cranfield University in the UK is launching a suite of Circular Economy short (CPD) courses which may be of interest to those involved with product design or those teaching industrial design, engineering, materials science, sustainability and related topics. Reuse, in its various forms, and repair, are key components of the circular economy, as illustrated in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation infographic on the concept at https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy/infographic.

Set to begin in spring 2019, the Cranfield courses include:

• Circularity in Practise. This is "a two day interactive course including inspirational key note presentations, case studies, group work, practical workshops, one to one feedback and mentoring. As well as hearing from experts who have implemented circular thinking, participants will have the opportunity to network with a cohort from a variety of backgrounds and industrial sectors about their own challenges of implementation."
• Circular Design. "This course will inspire designers, doers, thinkers, entrepreneurs and business leaders to rethink the role of design and its value for the transition towards a circular economy. The course will introduce design and system thinking techniques within a practical approach, so participants can have a hand-on experience in implementing circular design."
• Circular Innovation. "This is a three-day short course, hosted within the Centre for Design – C4D's strength and uniqueness is in its ability to deliver "informed creativity". By combining creative design practices with systematic applied research to create circular innovation business models. As well as hearing from experts who have implemented circular thinking, participants will have the opportunity to network with a cohort from a variety of backgrounds and industrial sectors about their own challenges of implementation."
• Extending Material Life. "This course will set the basis for innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders to keep materials in high value use. Individuals will be introduced to multiple circular business models, case studies and supported implement circularity form materials point of view."
• Mining Value from Organic Waste. "This course will offer an update on the most recent applications of circular economy in biological systems (low-value, high volume materials) and will provide an overview of the essential properties of organic waste biomass, methods for their critical appraisal and how to use them to design closed loop processing systems. Understanding the characteristics of the waste material is pivotal for implementing circular cycles. The course will develop the knowledge of the participant, introduce them to appropriate tools (waste characterisation and LCA etc) and combine all to solve a case-based problem."
• Circular Economy Renewable Energy. "Renewable energy has gained traction in recent years, with the 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive setting the challenge to generate 20% of total energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. This is a two-day interactive course including inspirational key note presentations, case studies, group work, practical workshops and facilitated discussions. As well as hearing from experts working in the renewable energy and resource management sectors, participants will have the opportunity to network with a cohort from a variety of backgrounds and industrial sectors about their own challenges of implementation."

These courses are offered on the Cranfield campus (though some also have online components), in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. For complete course descriptions, dates, prices, etc., visit the Cranfield Univeristy web site.