Grants to Support Knowledge Exchange - Joseph Pugh
Joseph Pugh, 2025 Grant to Support Knowledge Exchange recipient, shares his experience.
Life Cycle Engineering Laboratory group
Joseph Pugh
In February and March of 2026, I was able to live and work in Japan as an international researcher at Tohoku University, made possible in part by the IOM3 Grant to Support Knowledge Exchange. For a period of 6 weeks, I conducted both physical and computational research, with a focus on life cycle assessment (LCA) of advanced ultra-low carbon concrete formulations developed within the Life Cycle Engineering Laboratory by Prof Tomoya Nishiwaki and his team.
The research centred on environmental impact optimisation of specialised mix designs incorporating just 5% cement, with a focus on industrial collaboration for location and supplier specific results. The work package included physical production and analysis of optimal mixes, alongside boundary defined LCA covering impact allocation of secondary by-products and supplementary cementitious materials.
The experience provided the opportunity for both significant technical development with regards to LCA modelling, alongside valuable international research experience. Additionally, as a natural product of the placement, I was also afforded the transformative experience of living and working within a Japanese institution, an environment that is characterised by a profound sense of mutual respect and diligence, and an experience that has provided me with personal and professional insights that extend far beyond research.
Thank you IOM3!
Joseph Pugh
Industrial PhD Researcher, Cardiff University
