Two new research centres to tackle challenges of energy transition and mental health

27 Oct 2025

Two new research centres within the School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) will each showcase SEED's vibrant interdisciplinary research culture and commitment to tackling urgent global and societal challenges.

The new research centres, People, Place and Energy Research Centre (PPERC) and the SMILE (Studying Mental Health in Life and Education) Research Centre, will spearhead solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate and energy transitions, and mental health and wellbeing.

People, Place and Energy Research Centre (PPERC)

Co-Directors: Professor Stefan Bouzarovski (Geography) and Dr Katherine Sugar (Geography)

PPERC brings together scholars from Geography, Anthropology, and allied disciplines to explore the social, technical, and ecological dimensions of energy transformations. The Centre examines how place, culture, and everyday life shape energy transitions and contribute to equitable and sustainable futures.

PPERC will act as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration across SEED and the School of Social Sciences (SoSS), connecting research on people and energy infrastructures and strengthening our profile in energy and climate social science. Activities will include seminars, working papers, international collaborations, and dedicated support for Early Career Researchers and PhD students.

SMILE Research Centre (Studying Mental Health in Life and Education)

Co-Directors: Dr Ola Demkowicz and Dr Margarita Panayiotou (Manchester Institute of Education).

The SMILE Research Centre will advance understanding of mental health and wellbeing across educational settings, linking research, policy, and practice. The Centre brings together a strong, interdisciplinary community spanning psychology, education, and public health.

SMILE aims to challenge existing knowledge and methods, pioneer innovative approaches to mental health research, and strengthen our role in shaping educational wellbeing policy and practice. It will also nurture future research leaders, with a governance model designed to empower early- and mid-career researchers through leadership and mentorship.

These two new Centres represent exciting developments for SEED.  They build on our collective expertise, creating new opportunities for collaboration, and reinforcing our impact locally, nationally, and globally.