While sanitation in the home might be something many of us take for granted, in this episode we dive deeper into how they work - the specifics of decentralized water systems, how they work, their benefits and their disadvantages. Host Sarah Stancombe is joined by expert Dr. Santiago Septien Stringel to discuss his journey toward waste management.

Dr. Santiago Septien Stringel obtained chemical engineering degrees both at Bachelor and Masters levels, with a specialization in wastewater treatment. He went on to pursue his professional career with a PhD on biomass gasification in 2011 and a post-doctorate, in the same domain, for  two  more   years, in French research institutes. During this period, he acquired an expertise in thermochemical processes and biofuels. In 2014, he joined the WASH R&D Centre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to supervise master research projects funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Water Research Commission. Currently, his focus is: leading research related to decentralized sanitation treatment systems, supporting and advising sanitation practitioners and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students. 

In this episode, Dr. Santiago Septien Stringel explains the differences between centralized and decentralized water systems, what kinds of regions use each one, and what it takes to maintain them. There can be disadvantages with decentralized systems, such as poor management, which can lead to harming the environment. 

Together, Sarah and Dr. Santiago Septien Stringel explore innovations in the field. Dr. Santiago Septien Stringel suggests setting up a grey water system in the home to make the most of water usage, and reduce costs.

Connect with Dr. Santiago Septien Stringel via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiago-septien-stringel-80604841/ 

Follow Dr. Santiago Septien Stringel’s work on Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Santiago-Septien-Stringel 

Room by Room is produced by the Home Organization Science Labs, a division of LMSL, the Life Management Science Labs.

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Waking up to a home that offers functionality and cleanliness seems like the norm for many of us, but for some, is a struggle too big to tackle. This week on Room by Room: The Home Organization Science Insights Podcast, host Sarah Stancombe consults researcher Dr. Stella C. Sabi on the relationship between substandard living conditions and food insecurity, and the small steps people can take to reorganize their home. 

Dr. Stella C. Sabi obtained her doctorate in Food Security from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. She has presented her research findings at several local and international platforms including the first SA Higher Education Colloquium on Food Insecurity at Universities, The “9th Annual Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Conference”, and the “2016 New York City International Academic Conference on Education & Social Sciences”. With a background in Policy and Development Studies, Dr. Stella C. Sabi has authored scientific peer-reviewed journals and book chapters on food security, land policy, and HIV/AIDS-treatment policy advocacy.  

In this episode, Dr. Stella C. Sabi stresses the misconception that those living in squalor are lazy. Often, people’s living conditions are reduced due to factors outside of their control, such as a mental or physical health condition. In reality, people are ashamed of their substandard living conditions and thus isolate themselves from society for fear of judgement.

Together, Sarah and Dr. Stella C. Sabi discuss how more well-off people can assist in helping those in squalor both with cleaning and with food security. When offering food, those living with food insecurity deserve a choice as you never know what food allergies or intolerances they may have. Ultimately, networking and community is the best way for those living in squalor to help themselves. 

Follow Dr. Stella C. Sabi’s work by searching her name on Google Scholar

Connect with Dr. Stella C. Sabi via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-stella-c-sabi-77375557/ 

Room by Room is produced by the Home Organization Science Labs, a division of LMSL, the Life Management Science Labs.

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Waking up to a home that not only offers convenience, but also helps save the planet, seems to be growing more achievable, with advancements in smart home technology. So, this week on Room by Room: The Home Organization Science Insights Podcast, host Marie Stella consults built environment senior lecturer Dr. Hing-Wah Chau to find out how smart home technologies can help us go green.

With over 10 years of professional architectural experience in Hong Kong, Dr. Hing-Wah Chau currently serves as course chair in architectural design, as well as senior lecturer in built environment at Victoria University. Prior to his role at Victoria University, he spent eight years teaching architectural design at the University of Melbourne, too. His research interests lie in sustainable built environment, green architecture and infrastructure, and more.

In this episode, Dr. Hing-Wah Chau stresses the importance of practicing sustainability in the home, and highlights the key factors homeowners should consider when selecting smart home devices and systems. 

Together, Marie and Dr. Hing-Wah Chau canvass some lesser-discussed ethical concerns of using smart home technology, such as the hidden amount of data and energy required to power smart homes. So, tune in to this episode to learn more about the environmental advantages and disadvantages of utilizing smart home technology!

Follow Dr. Hing-Wah Chau’s work: https://www.vu.edu.au/research/hing-wah-chau

Connect with Dr. Hing-Wah Chau via the following platforms:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hing-wah-chau-%E5%91%A8%E6%85%B6%E8%8F%AF%E5%8D%9A%E5%A3%AB-17530a8b/

Email: [email protected]

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Did you know that transitioning to a fully electric home can reduce your carbon footprint and lower energy bills? This week on Room by Room: The Home Organization Science Insights Podcast, host Sabrina Oktavelia sits down with David Roche to explore practical tips for making your home more energy-efficient and sustainable.

David Roche is the Research Director of Strategic Energy Collaborations at the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF), University of Technology, Sydney. With over 25 years of experience in renewable energy systems and energy efficiency, David Roche is passionate about renewable energy and is an advocate for transitioning homes to use renewable energy.

In this episode, David Roche reveals various ways to transition to a fully electric home, from easy fixes like upgrading to energy-efficient appliances to more significant upgrades, such as switching from gas to electric induction cooktops.

Together, Sabrina and David Roche explore smart home technology for effective energy management, along with emerging innovations like Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) systems, which could allow electric vehicles to power homes in the future. So, tune in to this episode to learn how to reduce energy consumption and start transitioning to an electricity-powered home today!

Follow David Roche’s work: https://profiles.uts.edu.au/David.Roche.

Connect with David Roche via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-roche-au/

Produced by the Home Organization Science Labs, a division of LMSL, the Life Management Science Labs.

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Want a greener, more energy efficient home without sacrificing style? This week on Room by Room: The Home Organization Science Insights Podcast, host Marie Stella consults civil engineering lecturer Dr. Krishanu Roy for advice on the best design modifications that make a space more functional, beautiful, and eco-friendly.

Currently teaching civil engineering at the University of Waikato, Dr. Krishanu Roy has previously held stints at leading engineering firm for underground structures Geodata Spa, as well as leading supplier of steel products Kiwi Steel Holdings. His research interests involve the fire performance of cold-formed steel structures, as well as the sustainability and life cycle analysis of structures.

In this episode, Dr. Krishanu Roy sheds light on the various ways in which a home’s design features may impact the environment, from carbon dioxide emissions to toxic gas release. He outlines the three most popular design materials—timber, steel, and concrete—and elaborates on their environmental advantages and disadvantages.

Together, Marie and Dr. Krishanu Roy discuss possible eco-friendly design modifications for homeowners and renters alike. So, tune in this week to discover how small changes, be it energy-efficient lighting or eco-conscious furnishing, can lead to huge impacts on the environment!

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Produced by the Home Organization Science Labs, a division of LMSL, the Life Management Science Labs.

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Kids thrive in safe and organized homes, where every object has its place. This week on Room by Room: The Home Organization Science Insights Podcast, host Marie Stella turns to business lecturer Dr. Taghreed Hikmet for advice on reining in clutter and staying tidy with little ones around.

Based at the Auckland University of Technology, Dr. Taghreed Hikmet is a senior lecturer in International Business Management, Entrepreneurship, and Strategy. Having co-written an article on The Conversation about home and kids organization, Taghreed is a dedicated professional with a rich background spanning over two decades in the business world. Impressively, she holds a Ph.D. and MBA in Operations Management and MBus, and has leveraged her knowledge from both ends to establish valuable connections.

In this episode, Dr. Taghreed Hikmet defines kids' organization as a system that teaches the young ones responsibility, elaborating that, for instance, lower shelving rather than high shelving makes items accessible to children. She reveals common safety hazards and various child developmental stages parents should know when organizing a home with the little ones in mind.

Together, Marie and Dr. Taghreed Hikmet discuss key organizational approaches that prove to be particularly effective for parents and children alike. So, tune in this week for kid-friendly parenting advice and clever storage solutions!

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Produced by the Home Organization Science Labs, a division of LMSL, the Life Management Science Labs.

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Did you know that a cluttered home can contribute to stress, reduce productivity, and even impact overall well-being? This week on Room by Room: The Home Organization Science Insights Podcast, host Sabrina Oktavelia sits down with Oluwaseyi Popogbe, Ph.D. to discuss the crucial role of sanitation in maintaining a functional and harmonious home.

As a seasoned Economics lecturer and researcher with over a decade of academic experience, Oluwaseyi Popogbe, Ph.D. specializes in Development Economics, Environmental Economics, and Monetary Economics. Her work sheds light on the vulnerabilities of the urban poor, highlighting the impact of limited education, health challenges, and inadequate living standards on sanitation and home organization.

In this episode, Sabrina and Oluwaseyi Popogbe, Ph.D. dive into the importance of shared responsibility in keeping a home clutter-free. They explore how a lack of understanding of sanitation, especially in lower-income households, can contribute to declining living conditions. Additionally, they discuss actionable strategies for creating an organized home, including seeking support for those who struggle with cleaning—such as individuals with mental health challenges—so they can eventually maintain their space independently.

Tune in to this episode for practical insights on turning home organization into a collective effort and fostering a healthier, more organized living space!

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Did you know that the average U.S. household throws away about 32% of the food it buys? This week on Room by Room: The Home Organization Science Insights Podcast, host Marie Stella interviews environmental engineer Belinda Li on what households can do to limit their food waste by reusing or repurposing them.

Specializing in solid waste management and food system planning, Belinda Li employs holistic and innovative approaches to solving complex challenges, leveraging her interdisciplinary background in engineering, data analysis, research, global development, and community engagement. On a mission to create a sustainable and just food system, Belinda Li is the co-founder of Food Systems Lab as well as principal engineer at her very own Mei Mee Consulting Inc.

In this episode, Belinda Li elaborates on the environmental and economical implications of food waste, from the forfeited efforts of the supply chain, to large contributions to greenhouse gases. Additionally, she reveals that viewing it simply as ‘food’ rather than ‘food waste’ or ‘scraps’ can help immensely in reframing food waste perspectives.

Together, Marie and Belinda Li look at various ways to incorporate old or leftover foods into new dishes. So, tune in to this episode to learn more about revolutionizing your approach to kitchen scraps!

Follow Belinda Li’s work: https://foodsystemslab.ca

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With rising costs and global warming concerns, we seek home improvements that will achieve maximum energy savings. So, this week on Room by Room: The Home Organization Science Insights Podcast, host Sabrina Oktavelia consults Director, Architect, and Program Lead—Healthy Environments Kerryn Wilmot on what it takes to have an energy-efficient house.

Kerryn Wilmot has an extensive background and has worked as a Research Director, Architect, and Healthy Environments Program Lead at the University of Technology Sydney. Kerryn drives research on smart cities and healthy urban environments at ISF, specializing in sustainability, urban health, and regenerative design. She’s also renowned for leading the pioneering 60L Green Building project in Melbourne, a Banksia Award-winning development that redefined sustainable commercial architecture.

Kerryn Wilmot has an extensive background and has worked as a Research Director, Architect, and Healthy Environments Program Lead at the University of Technology Sydney. Kerryn drives research on smart cities and healthy urban environments at ISF, specializing in sustainability, urban health, and regenerative design. She’s also renowned for leading the pioneering 60L Green Building project in Melbourne, a Banksia Award-winning development that redefined sustainable commercial architecture.

In this episode, Kerryn Wilmot informs that there are different ways to achieve maximum energy savings. She emphasized the importance of properly putting away energy-hungry old appliances such as refrigerators and ACs that take most of our electricity bills. Additionally, she also mentions strategically utilizing our electronics to avoid peak hours i.e. hot summer afternoons, and utilizing solar energy during those times if we have solar panels installed.

See Kerryn Wilmot’s profile: https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Kerryn.Wilmot

Connect with Kerryn Wilmot via the following platforms:

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As we move towards a more sustainable future, renewable energy is reshaping the way we cook and consume food. So, this week on Room by Room: The Home Organization Science Insights Podcast, host Marie Stella interviews epidemiology researcher Dr. Matthew Shupler on the effect renewable energy has on our cooking habits.

Based at Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Dr. Matthew Shupler conducts research on the effects of air pollution exposure on adverse pregnancy and early childhood outcomes. During his previous stints at the University of British Columbia and the University of Liverpool, he looked into the health effects of household air pollution exposure due to cooking with polluting fuels, such as wood and coal, in over a dozen countries. Additionally, Matthew has also worked as a Global Health Fellow at the United Nations Foundation’s Clean Cooking Alliance.

In this episode, Dr. Matthew Shupler highlights the pressing issue of climate change, and how fighting it from our kitchens, simply by converting to renewable energy, can make all the difference. He goes into detail about how renewable energy cooking can relieve a great deal of stress, for first-world nations and lower- to middle-income countries alike.

Together, Marie and Dr. Matthew Shupler discuss affordable workarounds that may prove effective for renters and homeowners on a budget. So, tune in for an episode that delves into the exciting intersection of renewable energy and culinary practices.

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