Yesterday, Wednesday 26 March, staff and students came together to celebrate some of the inspiring work and initiatives taking place across our University in our very first Sustainability Action Awards.
The awards championed members of the University community who have shown leadership in sustainability – both within and outside of the institution.
Many thanks to everyone that entered the awards. The judges were impressed by the quality of applications and were heartened to learn of the amount of sustainable initiatives individuals and groups are undertaking.
Over 50 people attended yesterday’s ceremony, which was led by Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Judith Petts CBE – the University’s Sustainability Champion – and the awards were presented by Chief Operating Officer Malcolm Ace and SUSU President David Gilani.
Huge congratulations to all the runners-up and winners. Winners ranged from a group at NETSCC organising a ‘cycle to work’ day to a lecturer organising a sustainable quiz as part of outreach work. Read more about the winners here:
Outstanding individual student contribution – Oliver Robinson
Oliver is a member of Hampshire Scout Expeditions (HSX), a Hampshire-based County Scout Group dedicated to the training and development of young scouts in Hampshire aged between 14 and 18.
In August-October 2013, Oliver gained valuable experience as a leader of a six-week expedition to Nepal. He led 11, 14-18 year olds to the Everest Region of the Himalayas.
Outstanding individual staff contribution – Dr Tony Curran
Tony wanted to create an interactive and engaging way to talk to students about sustainability that replaced traditional lectures. He designed a game show, which has already been run for more than 300 participants in a variety of formats.
Participants leave with an improved sense of why being a responsible citizen is important and what steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint.
Outstanding performance by a group of students – Cameroon Catalyst
Cameroon Catalyst aims to provide an improved quality of life for those living in eastern rural Cameroon by the provision of infrastructure and development. Over the past four years, they have worked in the village of Bambouti providing them with a medical centre, mechanics workshop, school buildings and a sustainable electricity supply using solar panels.
The team promotes sustainability by designing and funding projects and using the skills of local people in the village for the majority of the actual construction.
The team are: Charlie Steer, Charlotte McCarthy, Ant Morris, Gervaise Turbervill, Katherine Morgan, Charlotte Youe, Emily Smith, Mikey Harper, Daniel Crisp and Matt Duckett
Outstanding sustainability performance by a group of staff – NETSCC cycling promotion team
A team at NETSCC worked together to encourage people at the Science Park to participate in Cycle to Work day in September 2013.
The team arranged for a number of exhibitors to support the event, such as Sustrans and local bike shops. 81 people who work at the Science Park registered on the day (both cyclists in the morning and attendees of the lunchtime event).
The team are: Jenny Dodds, Richard Lakin, Amy Street, Kathy Tier and Gill Warner
Outstanding partnership between staff and students – Sustainability Zone team
In 2012-13, student officers indicated a strong demand for more fully embedding sustainability, a core value, within SUSU. As part of SUSU’s new zone plan from 2013 onwards, the Sustainability Zone was created. Its purpose is to ensure a balance of social, environmental and economic development within SUSU and for its members.
The Sustainability Zone aims to bring together students who are passionate about the range of areas that contribute to a more sustainable student life; the environment, ethics, employability and equality.
The team are: Beckie Thomas, Nickola Moore, Teresa Kennard, Wild Bottomley, Charlotte Hollands and Tom Gleeson.
This event was supported by the University’s Carbon Management Fund – a £4m investment in ideas that will reduce the institution’s carbon emissions and improve the sustainability of our campuses.
The awards will be displayed on campus with an explanation of each of the winners’ work.