Dr Konstantinos Tzoulas

Why do I teach?

I teach because I enjoy sharing knowledge.
At both undergraduate and postgraduate levels I teach Sustainable Development, Urban ecology, Ecosystem services, Urbanisation, and Research methods. 

How I’ll teach you

Explain topics in lectures
Practice critical analysis tools in seminars
Apply methods and procedures during field work
Discuss personal, pastoral and professional development during tutorials
Guide and coach through project development during supervision

Academic and professional qualifications

PhD Environmental sciences
PgC Academic Practice
BSc (Hons) Environmental sciences

Previous employment

Senior research officer, Salford City Council
Assistant policy adviser, Warrington Borough Council

Other academic service (administration and management)

Hourly paid lecturer, University of Salford
Contract researcher, University of Salford

Languages

English
Greek

Why study Sustainable Development | Urban ecology | Ecosystem services | Urbanisation | Research methods?

The topics that I teach integrate social and physical science perspectives, methods and approaches. These topics allow students to understand the inextricable, complex and dynamic links between social and ecological systems. Understanding how socio-ecological systems work is a key skill in solving complex environmental problems. 

Undergraduate courses

Environmental management (Unit coordinator)
Sustainable future environments
Biodiversity and conservation
Research methods
Sustainable production and consumption
Global environmental change and ecosystems

Postgraduate teaching

Policy for sustainable development (Unit coordinator)
Science for sustainable development
Research methods
Education for sustainable development (Unit coordinator)

Postgraduate supervision (completed/in progress)

PhD the role of green spaces in primary education (Director of studies, in progress)
PhD education for sustainable development in higher education (Director of studies, in progress)
PhD using lichens as bio monitors of urban air pollution (Co-supervisor, in progress)

Research expertise

My research expertise is in urban ecology and green infrastructure planning. I combine ecological and social survey methods to study benefits provided by urban green infrastructure. I am particularly interested in measuring the benefits provide by green infrastructure to human health and well-being, to urban regeneration and to nature conservation.

Academic collaborations

The University of Manchester
University of Salford
University of Leicester

Publications

• Journal articles

  K. Tzoulas, P. James (2010). Making biodiversity measures accessible to non-specialists: An innovative method for rapid assessment of urban biodiversity. Urban Ecosystems. 13(1), pp.113-127.

  K. Tzoulas, P. James (2010). Peoples' use of, and concerns about, green space networks: A case study of Birchwood, Warrington New Town, UK. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. 9(2), pp.121-128.

  P. James, K. Tzoulas, MD. Adams, A. Barber, J. Box, et al. J. Breuste, T. Elmqvist, M. Frith, C. Gordon, KL. Greening, J. Handley, S. Haworth, AE. Kazmierczak, M. Johnston, K. Korpela, M. Moretti, J. Niemelä, S. Pauleit, MH. Roe, JP. Sadler, C. Ward Thompson. (2009). Towards an integrated understanding of green space in the European built environment. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. 8(2), pp.65-75.

  K. Tzoulas, K. Korpela, S. Venn, V. Yli-Pelkonen, A. Kaźmierczak, et al. J. Niemela, P. James. (2007). Promoting ecosystem and human health in urban areas using Green Infrastructure: A literature review. Landscape and Urban Planning. 81(3), pp.167-178.

• Chapters in books

  G. Cavan, F. Baker, K. Tzoulas, CL. Smith (2023). Correction to: Manchester: The Role of Urban Domestic Gardens in Climate Adaptation and Resilience. In: Urban Climate Science for Planning Healthy Cities. Springer International Publishing, pp.C1-C1.

  P. James, K. Tzoulas, M. Dennis (2020). Nature's contribution to health and wellbeing in the city. In: Designing Future Cities for Wellbeing. pp.54-70.

  K. Tzoulas, K. Greening (2011). Urban ecology and human health. J. Niemela. In: Urban ecology: patterns, processes and applications. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp.263-271.

• Conferences

  G. Cavan, C. Fletcher, F. Baker, K. Tzoulas, C. Smith (2019). Co-production of knowledge on urban gardens to aid urban planning and encourage citizens to implement local scale adaptation solutions. Lisbon, 28/5/2019.

  K. Tzoulas, P. James (2017). Measuring composite ecosystem services potential at the neighbourhood scale. Orvieto, Italy, 4/4/2017.

  K. Tzoulas (2015). Bridging the humanities disciplines with urban ecology and temporal well being. Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK, 4/11/2015.

  K. Tzoulas (2015). Integrating urban to rural and local to global: ecosystem restoration through green infrastructure. Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK, 23/8/2015.

  H. Tinker, K. Tzoulas The Benefits and Challenges of Developing and Implementing an Environmental Management System Using a Participatory Approach: A Case Study of Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Manchester Metropolitan University, 3/9/2014.

  K. Tzoulas, P. James, E. Price, P. Wheater What Are the European Legal Duties to Conserve Biodiversity in University Campuses?. Manchester Metropolitan University, 3/9/2014.

  K. Tzoulas Biodiversity conservation in public health or public health in biodiversity conservation? The diffusion of research evidence. In: Programme and Abstracts. Birmingham, UK, 17/12/2012. pp.22-22.

  K. Tzoulas (2009). Cultural activities and urban green space: linking people, communities and the natural environment. Hastings, UK, 22/10/2009.

  K. Tzoulas, P. James (2009). Linking Social and Human Systems to Promote Safe, Secure and Cohesive Communities in Urban Areas: An Integrative Conceptual Framework. Manchester, UK, 29/6/2009.

  K. Tzoulas, S. Olson, B. Truckner, C. Banks (2008). A survey of expectations, educational goals, and research activity of EcoHealth students. Merida, Mexico, 5/12/2008.

  K. Tzoulas (2008). Biodiversity, Development and Health in Higher Education Programmes: Current Provision and Future Potential. Galway, Ireland, 25/2/2008.

  K. Tzoulas (2006). Introduction on Multifunctional Landscapes. University of Salford, 30/5/2006.

  K. Tzoulas, P. James (2005). Biodiversity and human health and well-being: an integrative case study. In: Book of Abstracts. Galway, Ireland, 23/8/2005. pp.84-84.

  K. Tzoulas, P. James Surrogate measures for urban biodiversity and human health and well-being. In: 5th International Postgraduate Research Conference. The Lowry Centre, Salford,, 14/4/2005. pp.826-836.

  K. Tzoulas, P. James (2004). Finding links between urban biodiversity and human health and well- being. In: 4th International Postgraduate Research Conference. University of Salford, 1/4/2004. pp.208-218.

  K. Tzoulas, P. James Finding the links between biodiversity in urban green space and human well-being. In: Programme and Abstracts. Manchester Metropolitan University, 9/9/2003. pp.18-18.

Expert reviewer for journals and publishers

Landscape and urban planning (Elsevier)
Urban forestry and urban greening (Elsevier)
Urban ecosystems (Springer)

Grants

Green infrastructure and the health and well being influences on an ageing population; Natural Environment Research Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council under the Valuing Nature Programme; NERC grant reference NE/N013530/1.

Assessing the contribution of domestic gardens to urban ecosystem services; Natural Environment Research Council under the Green Infrastructure Innovation Grant; NERC grant reference NE/N017374/1. 

Consultancy and advisory roles

National Trust (2015) Statement of Significance for Manchester City Centre: integrating the natural, social, economic and historic heritage.

Community, charity and NGO links

City of Trees
The Mersey Forest
Hulme Community Gardens

Government and industry links

Manchester City Council
Salford City Council

Media appearances or involvement

Human wellbeing can strengthen case for conservation, By Mark Kinver, Environment reporter, BBC News, 19 December 2012

Other distinctions

Chairman, MMU Biodiversity Management Group:
Leading the biodiversity aspect of the university’s environmental management system (ISO14001: 2015/ Eco Campus Platinum accredited)

Member of scientific programme committees for the:
3rd World Symposium on Sustainable Development at Universities (WSSD-U-2016)
6th World Conference on Ecological Restoration, Society for Ecological Restoration 2015 (SER 2015)
2nd World Symposium on Sustainable Development at Universities (WSSD-U-2014)

Visiting and honorary positions

Visiting Research Fellow, The University of Manchester
Visiting Research Fellow, University of Salford

Editorial board membership

Editor, urban restoration theme of the 6th World Conference on Ecological Restoration, Society for Ecological Restoration 2015 (SER 2015)

Membership of professional associations

Fellow, Higher Education Academy (UK)
Chartered scientist (CSci), Council of Sciences (UK)
Member (MIEnvSci), Institution of Environmental Sciences (UK)