As a leader of sustainability in higher education, we were delighted to receive further recognition of the impact UoG has in this sector by gaining two Highly Commended Green Gown Awards 2021.

The Green Gown Awards recognise sustainability excellence in further and higher education institutions across a range of categories and are increasingly competitive each year. We achieved Highly Commended in the ‘Tomorrow’s Employees’ category for our Radical Sustainability programme, and Highly Commended in ‘Reporting with Influence’ category for our Annual Sustainability Report 2019-20.

Changing Communities – Changing Perceptions
Annual Sustainability Report 2019-20

These achievements recognise the hard work and collaboration from a wide range of colleagues across the University.

Radical Sustainability is our approach to education-industry partnerships which accelerates sustainability learning through collaboration. Kick-started with a masterclass in 2019, developed with global pioneers and leaders in sustainable business, Interface; the initiative has led to innovative course developments and transformative sustainability solutions for our students and for local professionals.

The Reporting with Influence category aims to assess how sustainability is reported and how reports are used to impact and influence within the institution. Our entry for this category focused on our Annual Sustainability Report 2019-20 which shares performances and celebrates achievements, across all aspects of sustainability in the life of our university.

The University was also shortlisted as Finalist in the Student Engagement category of the awards for our Live Smart student experience programme co-created with students to make links between their immediate concerns and bigger picture issues the world faces for the future.

We are delighted by our success at this year’s Green Gown Awards. In the past three years, we have now won four awards. The University of Gloucestershire has pioneered change for sustainability with its whole-institutional strategy. Adopted as a corporate priority over ten years ago, sustainability is now one of our proudest successes and we’ve achieved significant positive impacts. 

Being shortlisted in three categories, and achieving two Highly Commended results recognises our far-reaching impact. Our achievements at this years’ Green Gown Awards celebrate the success of our approach which focuses on partnerships, research and learning to deliver positive impacts for our students and the region.

Dr Alex Ryan

Director of Sustainability, University of Gloucestershire