CIBSE is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2025 Ken Dale Travel Bursary, a prestigious award designed to support early-career engineers seeking to explore how building services engineering is shaped by global contexts. The bursary offers up to £4,000 (or local equivalent) to fund international research, enabling recipients to examine how technical, social, environmental, and political factors influence engineering practices around the world.
This year’s shortlisted candidates have proposed a range of ambitious projects that reflect pressing industry priorities, from water reuse and ventilation standards to district heating and performance benchmarking.
Meet the 2025 Finalists
Jack Swann – Enhancing Efficiency in Healthcare Buildings through Innovative HVAC Systems
Jack proposes an international study on how healthcare HVAC regulations vary across climates and healthcare systems, with the aim of enhancing the UK’s Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs). His research will include visits to Sweden, Canada, and Singapore—each offering distinct approaches to hospital ventilation, infection control, and sustainability. The project seeks to inform HTM evolution in support of NHS Net Zero goals.
Klaudia Rudzionek – From Scarcity to Sustainability: A Global Comparative Study of Building Water Reuse Strategies
Klaudia’s research will explore how building water reuse can help mitigate global water scarcity. By investigating technical and socio-political influences on water-saving strategies in water-stressed regions, she aims to identify scalable solutions for sustainable and resilient building design.
Benji Wilson - Integrating Biomass into Rural 5th Generation District Heating: A European Study of Design, Governance, and Local Adaptability
Benji’s study will investigate how rural communities in Europe are incorporating biomass into 5th generation district heating systems. By analysing system design, governance structures, and environmental drivers, the project aims to inform UK strategies for rural decarbonisation and promote low-temperature, scalable heating solutions.
Charlotte Hodgson - From Design to Operation: Exploring the Collaboration Between Design and Operation Teams in NABERS-Accredited Buildings in Australia and New Zealand
Charlotte will examine the role of collaboration between design and operational teams in achieving long-term performance outcomes in NABERS-rated buildings across Australia and New Zealand. Her research will highlight best practices in performance management, feedback loops, and optimisation strategies that could enhance building performance standards in the UK.
Dan Ehrald Samarita - Beyond PUE: Redefining Data Centre Efficiency Metrics Across Asia’s Diverse Climates and Emerging Technologies
Dan will explore how regional climates and technologies like AI optimisation and liquid cooling influence energy efficient data centre design in Asia. Through interviews, site visits, and case studies, the research aims to provide practical strategies for designers, consultants, operators, and suppliers to improve sustainability and reliability.
Find out more about the Ken Dale Travel Bursary at Ken Dale Travel Bursary