Beyond the Data: Unpacking the Life and Drive of a Built Environment Researcher with Asit Kumar Mishra
We often delve into the latest findings and innovative solutions in the built environment and air quality sectors.
But what about the individuals behind this crucial work? What motivates them, what challenges do they face, and what does the journey of a researcher truly entail?
In a recent episode of Air Quality Matters, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Asit Kumar Mishra , an experienced Research Fellow at University College Cork (UCC).
Asit has dedicated his career to exploring the intricate connections between the built environment, ventilation, air quality, and public health, with a particular focus on settings like schools. Our conversation, recorded on location in the Great Hall at UCC, took a unique turn: we explored not just the outcomes of research, but the process itself – the life, motivations, and operational realities of being a dedicated researcher.
This episode offers a rare glimpse into the engine room of scientific inquiry, revealing the human elements that drive the pursuit of knowledge in our field.
Key Themes We Explored:
Our conversation with Asit ventured into several fascinating areas central to the life of a researcher:
The Unconventional Path into Research: Many don't start their careers with a clear ambition to become a researcher. Asit shared his own organic journey, from an engineering background with an interest in thermodynamics and heat transfer, through a Master's, teaching, and eventually a PhD focusing on thermal comfort in naturally ventilated classrooms in India. It's a compelling narrative of how passion for a subject can incrementally lead one deeper into the world of research, often driven by an innate inquisitiveness and a desire to solve tangible problems.
The Day-to-Day Realities and the "80/20 Rule": Research is far from a linear path to discovery. Asit candidly discussed the "Pareto principle" in his work, suggesting that often "80% of your time will be spent on getting 20% of the work done." This highlights the perseverance required, navigating days where progress is slow or experiments don't yield expected results. He emphasised the importance of passion and intrinsic interest in the subject to push through these challenging periods.
The Human Connection and Real-World Impact: A powerful motivator for Asit, and many in our field, is the direct impact research can have on people's lives – from influencing building design for better thermal comfort and air quality to providing practical advice during public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. He recounted how connecting with end-users, like understanding occupant needs or even the unexpected classroom activities that can affect sensor readings (dancing children causing a spike in PM levels!), provides invaluable context and drive.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Effective Communication: Asit's current work, which bridges public health and building science in Irish schools, underscores the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches. He touched upon how frameworks from public health can offer new lenses for studying indoor climate and building energy use. Furthermore, we discussed the crucial skill of translating complex research findings into accessible language for diverse audiences, from policymakers to the general public.
Glimpses of a Researchers World
Throughout our discussion, Asit offered several insightful moments that truly illuminated the researcher's mindset. He spoke about the satisfaction of seeing simple, seemingly trivial findings become incredibly useful to people in real-life situations, such as guiding individuals on home ventilation to reduce infection risk. This direct applicability of knowledge is a profound source of inspiration.
Another aspect was his reflection on the built environment research community itself – describing it as generally "humble and welcoming," fostering a collaborative spirit. This contrasts with the sometimes siloed nature of other academic disciplines and highlights a supportive ecosystem for those working to improve our indoor spaces.
Hearing Asit describe the evolution of his research questions, from technical system performance to the more holistic consideration of occupant health and comfort, reveals a maturation of perspective that many in the field will recognise. His journey underscores that buildings are primarily for people, and their well-being should be the ultimate design and operational goal.
Discover the Full Story
While this overview touches upon some of the core themes of our conversation, the full depth and nuance of Asit's experiences and perspectives are best appreciated by listening to the episode in its entirety.
His reflections on the initial spark of research interest during undergraduate projects, the pivotal role of mentors, the challenges of securing funding, and the ethical considerations of field research offer a rich tapestry of insights. Understanding the journey, the motivations, and even the frustrations of research can provide a new appreciation for the knowledge and innovations we rely on in the built environment sector.
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