Available projects

The Living Lab projects listed here are proposed and owned by the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability.

If you're interested in applying for one of the living labs for your dissertation, please:

1. Send your CV and an expression of interest to Lucy.Patterson@ed.ac.uk before the indicated deadline (SRS reserves the right to assign projects before this deadline at the request of the SRS supervisor). Your expression of interest should be a paragraph explaining
   • Which project you are applying for.
   • Why you want to apply.
   • Your skills and experience that could benefit the project.
   • Your degree programmes name and dissertation application deadline.
2. If your application is successful, you, your SRS supervisor, and your academic supervisor will be asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding before starting the research. This document outlines how you'll work together and each party's responsibilities.  
3. If you are unsuccessful you will be informed within three days of the application deadline.

Projects for the Summer MSc dissertation period are now live. Applications are open until 5pm, March 23rd 2026.

Centralised Equipment Sharing Feasibility, MSc Dissertation 2026

Research Question "To what extent is it feasible for the University of Edinburgh to implement a centrally coordinated approach to equipment-sharing in the context of research and innovation?"

Ecological Restoration Market Analysis, MSc Dissertation 2026

Research question "What objectives, scope, activities and products should UK universities undertake with regard to ecological restoration?"

Evaluation of Community Plan 2020-25, MSc Dissertation 2026

Research question "How has the University of Edinburgh’s Community Plan 2020-25 contributed to progress against the Sustainable Development Goals?"

Green Gas Methane Leakage, MSc Dissertation 2026

Research Question "What is the evidence around methane leakage in green gas projects in Scotland?"

Power Purchase Agreements Additionality, MSc Dissertation 2026

Research Question "Can University PPA's be genuinely additional in the UK?"

If you have an idea for an alternative living lab project, we'd encourage you to get in touch.