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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S87645/01
Title: Network on the Life Span of Consumer Durables as a Factor in Sustainable Technology
Principal Investigator: Cooper, Professor T
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Sport & Leisure Management
Organisation: Sheffield Hallam University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 16 September 2004 Ends: 15 April 2008 Value (£): 65,011
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Design Engineering Waste Minimisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Despite frequent reference to the 'throwaway society' over the past forty years, issues relating to the life span of consumer durables have received inadequate research attention. This deficiency needs to be addressed. Product life is an important element in many themes in the sustainability agenda faced by industry such as resource productivity, sustainable design, life cycle assessment, sustainable consumption, waste minimisation and product service systems. A network of specialists from industry and academia is proposed in order to enhance understanding of issues relating to product durability and product life extension and thereby accelerate the technological and behavioural changes necessary for sustainable development. The Network fits within the EPSRC's mission of increasing knowledge and expertise and will address one of the key themes in its Sustainable Technologies Initiative, product life extension / durability (6th call, para. 3.1). The Network will adopt an interdisciplinary approach in recognition of the fact that socioeconomic and behavioural factors influence life spans as well as design specification. The Network will identify research and development requirements and promote collaboration. A series of thematic seminars will facilitate wide-ranging and innovative debate and nurture novel, adventurous research ideas. An email discussion group and web page will be developed to facilitiate communication between interested parties.
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Organisation Website: http://www.shu.ac.uk