Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy celebrates second anniversary
Published: 12 December 2025
The Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy is marking the second anniversary of its foundation with a look back at its past and a look ahead to its future successes.
The Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy (GCSE) is marking the second anniversary of its foundation with a look back at its past and a look ahead to its future successes.
The Centre, launched in December 2023, brings together academics from the University’s four Colleges to help support the global transition to sustainable, low-carbon energy systems.
Since its establishment, the Centre has experienced substantial growth. Today, it represents more than 370 researchers across the University, including more than 100 early career researchers. It has engaged with more than 450 external contacts, collaborators and partners representing industry, governmental organisations and the third sector.
The Centre is led by director Professor Gioia Falcone of the James Watt School of Engineering. She is joined by associate directors Professor David Flynn, also of the James Watt School of Engineering; Dr Roddy Yarr of the University’s Estates Directorate, and Professor Harriet Thomson of the School of Social & Political Sciences.
Professor Falcone said: "Two years on from our formation, we’re delighted to be celebrating significant progress towards our vision. We’re aiming to advance sustainable energy futures for all where energy becomes a service to sustainable and inclusive development, avoiding unintended environmental and societal consequences.
“The Centre’s community, along with its partners, represents over £19m in awards for research projects granted over the last year, establishing the Centre as a hub for inter-disciplinary sustainable energy research. Collaboration is key to our holistic vision, and I'm proud that the centre has established strong foundations for growth and activity in 2026.”
The Centre’s early career researcher community has driven engagement through a series of events, including xollaborations with the UofG Centre for Public Policy ECR Network and with the established University of Oxford ZERO Institute ECR Network.
Highlights of the Centre’s events programmes includes Feel the Heat II, led by Dr Roddy Yarr, which convened 100+ participants, and the Centre's inaugural External Stakeholders Workshop in March, which welcomed an international array of guests focussing on Co-Creating Sustainable Energy Futures. At the All-Energy Exhibition and Conference 2025 in May, the Centre showcased 13 research projects and attracted more than new external contacts.
The Centre has also fostered collaboration within the University of Glasgow, working with GALLANT, the Centre for Data Science and AI, Glasgow Changing Futures, and all university colleges.
Externally, Centre staff have collaborated with organisations including the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the European Centre for Advanced Studies, Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings, Scotland Beyond Net Zero, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Scottish Partnership in Energy and Engineering Research & Innovation, and Net Zero Technology Centre.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Centre has announced plans for Feel the Heat III, GCSE Workshop III, and participation in All Energy 2026, alongside launching Joint Industry Partnerships, pursuing new UK and international research projects, and launching GCSE Expert Spotlights.
First published: 12 December 2025