Natural Ventilation for Indoor Air Quality and Cooling to Mitigate Hay Fever at Loughborough University

Over half of the UKs population is affected by airborne allergens, with climate change exacerbating hay fever. Ventilation is essential for indoor air quality (IAQ) (i.e. removal of stale air, odours and harmful chemicals), provision of fresh air and excess heat removal. Key hay fever guidance recommends maintaining closed external openings during high pollen seasons, which can compromise the removal of indoor pollutants in naturally ventilated UK homes.

This study will investigate a suite of building interventions to control airborne allergens for naturally ventilated domestic spaces. It will focus on building design, pollen load on fresh air at ventilation inlets, ventilation frequency and duration and the relationship between space layout and pollen residue.

This project is one of five PhDs in Sustainable and Circular Built Environment. The successful candidate will be part of a growing community of doctoral and post-doctoral researchers and academics who are extending the boundaries of knowledge and delivering transformative solutions to real-world problems. The other projects in Sustainable and Circular Built Environment are:

• Architectural Design Process Against a Sustainable Environment
• Suitability of existing UK dwelling stock for heat pumps
• Project 4 tbc
• Project 5 tbc

Additional Funding Information

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

The School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering’s studentship competition offers the chance for UK and International applicants who are interested in undertaking a PhD to have their full-time studies paid for.

The studentship is for 3 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £18,622 per annum (2023/24 rate) for the duration of the studentship plus university tuition fees.

Studentships will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who have applied to advertised projects starting with the reference ‘ABCE24’.