University of Brighton champions UK-India collaboration to tackle environmental, economic, and social challenges

From rethinking housing design by learning from grassroots builders to empowering traditional artisans with contemporary tools, the two major research projects led by the University of Brighton highlight how creative innovation, sustainability and heritage can work hand-in-hand to build a better future and address urgent global challenges.

By bridging continents and disciplines, both projects underscore the importance of international partnerships in delivering meaningful change across borders.

Designing spaces for sustainable living

One project, Designing Spaces, Making Sustainable Homes: The Design Industry, the Data Gap and Design, is focused on revolutionising housing practices. By bringing together experts from the UK and India, the study will uncover practical ways to make homes more sustainable, community-centred, and environmentally friendly – providing new insights that could transform how homes are designed and built.

Herb garden in plastic bottles at Sanjay Gandhi National Park autochthonous village in Mumbai. Photographer Sunil Kirti Thakkar

Self-built house decorated with Warli and Gond Art at Sanjay Gandhi National Park autochthonous village in Mumbai. Photographer Sunil Kirti Thakkar

Over two years, researchers will develop practical tools, such as a design handbook and online resources, for architects, policymakers, and educators. These outputs will help shape housing that not only meets environmental standards but also prioritises community wellbeing.

Led by the university’s Dr Megha Rajguru and co-investigators Dr Tom Ainsworth and Dr Dipak Sarker, the project fosters collaboration across borders, blending UK and Indian expertise to reimagine what sustainable living can look like.

Dr Rajguru explains: “This project will reframe how housing can be better designed for communities by designers for a healthier, happier and environmentally-kind future.”

Supporting sustainable crafts

The second initiative, Crafting a Sustainable Future: Empowering Indian Crafts in the Creative Industries, focuses on how artisans can continue to face modern challenges affecting their lives and crafts without jeopardising their personal and professional needs.

By bringing interdisciplinary knowledge and innovation to traditional crafts like leatherwork and weaving, the project aims to open new opportunities for artisans. This might include market growth, but also sustainable social and creative systems that are meaningful for future generations.

Claire Wintle, Karina Rodriguez Echavarria, Mr. Purnmal Ji (left to right) in Jawaja, 2024 © Tim Weyrich, CC BY

Mr. Gopilal (sitting on the floor) and Mr. Onkar Lal (behind) in Jawaja, 2024 © Tim Weyrich, CC BY

Led by the Jawaja Artisans Alliance and the university’s Dr Karina Rodriguez Echavarria and Dr Claire Wintle in collaboration with experts from the National Institute of Design India, University College London and University of Dundee, the project addresses key challenges, including fostering innovation within traditional crafts and improving market access.

Dr Rodriguez Echavarria highlights: “Artisans in India, and around the world, are an underrepresented creative industry which makes a huge contribution to society and the economy. This project will empower them to respond to the challenges brought by mass production and globalisation on their terms.”

Both projects are funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), through a funding opportunity aimed at fostering India-UK research in creative industries and cultural heritage. The research reflects the University of Brighton’s commitment to tackling global challenges through collaboration, creativity, and innovation.

These initiatives demonstrate how bridging continents and combining expertise can make a tangible difference – whether it’s helping communities live in more sustainable homes or empowering artisans to preserve their craft in a rapidly changing world.