2nd Annual ESCalate Conference
Students Taking the Lead – Student Engagement: The Ecoversity Story
University of Glamorgan 16th April 2010
What is Ecoversity?
Embedding sustainable
development in all areas of the
campus and curriculum.
Holistic programme.
Involves and engages both staff
and students.
Awards and Accolades
•Times Higher Education Award 2009 – Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable
Development
•Winner Green Gown Award 2009 – Continuous Improvement – Institutional Change
•Highly Commended Green Gown Award 2009 – Courses
•Bronze Award and Highest New Entrant in Environment Index 2009
•Sector leader – Teaching and Learning; and Integration UTC 2009
•UN Regional Centre for Expertise for Education for Sustainable Development
•10th place in the Green League Table - up over 20 places
Education for Sustainable Development - Formal Curriculum
‘The greatest contribution a University can
make to sustainable development is
through the education of their graduates’
HEFCE, 2005
University of Bradford ambition to embed
ESD in the learning of ALL students.
•Pioneer network
•Academic Policy for ESD
•All 7 Schools have developed a statement
and action plan
Sustainability in Practice - Performance Management
•Waste and Recycling
•Travel
•Energy and Carbon Management
•Staff Engagement
•Buildings and Campus
•Working with our Community
•Sustainable Procurement
•Food and Drink
Student Experience – Informal Curriculum
•Student Engagement Coordinator
•50 students on over 30 projects
•Interns, Ambassadors or Actioneers
•Projects - Big Green Map of the Campus,
Uboutique
•Inspiration to take on lead roles
•Supported by communications such as Facebook
and DevelopMe!
•NEW for 09-10 Ecoversity Award Scheme and
Green Graduation
Staff and Student Engagement –
Initiatives
•Improving Communications – The Seed
Newspaper - 3,000 copies per edition
•Ecoversity Conferences – over 250 members
of staff and students
•Local Sustainable Action Fund - £1,000 grants
for locally managed projects
•Ecoversity Events – Nonference, Green
Chemistry, Labrats
Staff Engagement – Task Groups
•Nine Task Groups – Wellbeing, Campus,
Integrated Transport, Energy and Carbon,
Sustainable Procurement, Local Action, Food
and Drink, Education for Sustainable
Development, Reduce-Reuse-Recycle.
•Chaired by member of Senior Management
Team
•Staff from across University
•Ecoversity Student Reps
Community
•Bradford Square Mile – Partnership between
Bradford Council, Visiting Arts, Bradford College &
Horton Grange Partnership
•Sustainable Schools Network – 208 schools in
Bradford, Sustainable Development Case Study
Pack
Growing Group
Group of staff and students have developed the ‘Veg Out Patch’.
Home to a permaculture and organic garden. Provides an
opportunity for staff, students and local community to work
together on a food growing project.
Collecting Evidence
•Longitudinal Research - research through programme to
look at the impact of Ecoversity on student experiences
•Capture of the ESD Curriculum Development Strand – evaluation
and review the experiences of Schools ESD curriculum
development work
•Action Research - The Seed, 12 page publication which aims to
develop arena for two-way communication for staff and students
to discuss becoming an Ecoversity.
Green move out
• 3rd year in running.
• Across 8 student halls – 2800 rooms .
• Collected items donated to charity.
Student perspective
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Time management.
Informal working atmosphere – makes you responsible and love your job.
Realize the value for things around you.
Implement it in your studies.