Bradford students benefit from energy industry partnership

A partnership between the University of Bradford and energy company EnQuest has been renewed for another year.

Professor of Practice in Sustainability and Energy Futures within the School of Management, Law and Social Sciences Don Lloyd, who took up his role in 2021, said the extended partnership would enable students to be better informed in issues involving sustainability.

He said: “Our relationship with EnQuest is very good, and benefits the University in a number of ways, not least because it gives us access to an energy company that is operating under the microscope of sustainability and climate change.

“The challenges of climate change are very real, because on the one hand, we have to ensure we ‘keep the lights on’ and that energy is still available for society, but at the same time we are also on a journey towards ‘net zero’.

“All of this feeds into the debate on sustainability, the UN’s sustainability goals and the practical needs of society. Now our relationship has been renewed, we can take a longer term view about building more of this into our curriculum.”

Prof Lloyd works across the University’s faculties to embed sustainable thinking, for example by taking part in the University’s annual summer schools.

EnQuest specialises in taking on maturing and underdeveloped oil and gas fields, safely and sustainably improving their operational, financial and environmental performance before eventually decommissioning them in a responsible manner, which includes minimising emissions and maximising the recycle and reuse of recovered materials.

The Company recently established an Infrastructure and New Energy business which is responsible for delivering the Group’s emission reduction objectives and advancing renewable energy and decarbonisation opportunities.

'Right choices'

Non-executive chairman Martin Houston said: "At EnQuest, we are delighted to be extending our partnership with both the University of Bradford and Professor Lloyd, who is a world class practitioner with decades of experience in this critical area.

“The energy industry is in the midst of an unprecedented shift and partnering with academic institutions like the University of Bradford provides great support in ensuring we make the right choices, and at the same time, educate the next generation of leaders who will continue the great decarbonization journey.”

Prof Zahir Irani, Deputy Vice-Chancellor said: “I’m pleased to see this relationship continue, not least because it puts us right at the heart of the energy debate, and it means our students will be better informed, and better able to understand the dynamics of the industry and the changes that will be necessary in order to meet long term sustainability goals.”