BUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEW UNIVERSITY

Their core work

Buckinghamshire New University contributes applied research expertise in water treatment technologies and climate adaptation, with a particular focus on solutions for rural and peri-urban communities. Their H2020 work spans point-of-use water purification (including photo-irradiation and adsorption methods) and climate impact assessment for vulnerable regions like EU islands. They bring a social and community-facing dimension to otherwise technical water and environment projects, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world deployment in underserved areas.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Buckinghamshire New University entered H2020 in 2016 with water treatment (WATERSPOUTT) and climate modelling (SOCLIMPACT), establishing a broad environmental profile. By 2019, their focus sharpened toward advanced water purification for underserved communities (PANI WATER), their largest-funded project. The trajectory suggests a move from general environmental participation toward a more defined niche in decentralized water treatment for areas lacking conventional infrastructure.

Moving toward community-scale water treatment innovation, making them a relevant partner for projects targeting water access in developing or rural European regions.

How they like to work

Buckinghamshire New University operates exclusively as a participant — they have not coordinated any H2020 project. Despite only three projects, they have built a remarkably broad network of 56 unique partners across 19 countries, indicating they join large, internationally diverse consortia. This suggests they are a flexible contributor comfortable integrating into established teams rather than driving project direction.

With 56 consortium partners across 19 countries from just 3 projects, they have an unusually wide network for their project count, reflecting participation in large multi-national RIA consortia focused on water and climate challenges.

What sets them apart

Their strength lies in connecting technical water treatment research with real community deployment challenges — specifically for rural and peri-urban settings that large utilities often overlook. As a UK university with a practical, applied research orientation, they can contribute social science and community engagement dimensions to technically driven water projects. For consortium builders, they offer a bridge between lab-scale innovation and field-level implementation in underserved areas.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PANI WATER
  Their largest H2020 grant (EUR 277,062), running until 2024, combining photo-irradiation and adsorption methods for water treatment in rural communities.
• WATERSPOUTT
  Early entry into sustainable point-of-use water treatment, establishing their water purification expertise track record.
• SOCLIMPACT
  Broadened their profile beyond water into climate impact modelling for EU islands, showing adaptability across environmental topics.