Ben Purvis

Research Associate

University of Sheffield

Biography

I am a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Sheffield based within the School of Architecture. My research interests include system dynamics modelling, conceptualisation and operationalisation of ‘urban sustainability’, and how modelling and simulation is used to inform policy. My current research project focuses on how integrated assessment modelling may be used at the urban scale, using a prototype systems dynamics model based upon Meadows et al’s ‘World3’.

Interests

Urban Sustainability
System Dynamics
Interdisciplinarity

Education

PhD in Sustainability Science, 2020

University of Nottingham
MSci in Physics with Theoretical Physics, 2015

University of Nottingham

Recent Posts

On that "venn diagram". Three circles of sustainability

The three pillars paradigm of sustainability is ubiquitous, as is its description as a “venn diagram”” representing the confluence of environment, society, and economics.

Last updated on Jul 21, 2020 3 min read Sustainability

The Limits to Growth

On the 2nd of March 1972, at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Dennis Meadows led a symposium which presented the public launch of The Limits to Growth.

Last updated on May 13, 2020 4 min read Sustainability

An undisciplinary journey

The title of this post refers to a wonderful paper by Haider et al (2017), which reflects on the experiences of a group of early career researchers working within sustainability science.

Last updated on May 2, 2020 5 min read Reflections

Recent Publications

Entropy and its Application to Urban Systems

Attempts to demystify the concept of entropy, and clarify its applicability to studies of the urban system.

Ben Purvis, Yong Mao, Darren Robinson

PDF Source Document DOI

Three pillars of sustainability: in search of conceptual origins

Explores the conceptual origins, or lack thereof, of the popular three pillars paradigm.

Ben Purvis, Yong Mao, Darren Robinson

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