Engage for Change trains and supports university students to research, ideate and implement sustainable changes at their institution. This programme currently runs in Cambridge.
What is Engage for Change?
Students learn about climate change and sustainable initiatives, connect with others across the university and do work implementing projects to make long-term, sustainable change. Ultimately students develop key skills for life and gain professional experience whilst making a difference.
The student participants receive training in a wide range of topics from research skills to environmental expertise, and receive regular support from staff. Over the course of the 12-week programme they are empowered to come up with solutions to challenges they have seen on campus, and work with others across the institution to make change.
We have seen a wide range of projects over the years including introducing a bring your own tupperware scheme to reduce reliance on single use plastic, bringing carbon literacy training to all student societies and ultimately reduce food waste, and facilitating upcycling and sewing workshops on campus.
What’s the impact?
Engage for change supports sustained environmental change at our partner universities, as well as student skill development. This may support universities to:
- Enable wider strategic goals
- Generate added value to student engagement
- Deliver upon civic and social responsibility
In 2021-22
83%
students agreed they better understand how to use their skills to create sustainability related change
96%
students agreed they developed professional skills from the programme
58%
students agreed the work they completed will positively impact the university
The project motivated me to tackle other issues that upset me by trying to speak up and initiate change instead of just feeling scared.
Lena Dogra, Cambridge Hub student participant