2024-25 Changemaker Awards

Join us in celebrating the Changemakers among our students and staff, who have made notable contributions to sustainability and social responsibility, inspiring a wave of positive change.

Changemaker 2024-25 - celebration event
Changemakers and highly commended staff and students at the celebration event.

The Changemaker Award recognises current students and staff who have made a noticeable positive impact by:  

  • undertaking an impactful socially responsible or sustainable project;
  • or by inspiring others to act in a more socially responsible or sustainable way. 

23 University staff, students and groups have been named as Changemakers in 2024-25, with a further 12 individuals and groups receiving highly commended recognition. 

A celebratory event was held on Thursday 15 May at the Cabaret Bar and Upper Hall, Pleasance. During this event, the Changemakers received their certificates and networked with fellow recipients. Aidan Tracey, Social Impact Manager and Lucy Patterson, Climate and Sustainability in the Curriculum Coordinator, presented the awards.

Find out about their inspiring actions below.

Changemakers

Staff

  • Andrew Perry
  • Constanza Moreno Sanchez Ornelas
  • Heather MacBain (left), with Sustainable MarComms group
  • Lucy Smith
Name Achievement College or Group School or Department
Andrew Perry Exceptional support in capturing high-quality photography and videography for key sustainability and social impact initiatives. University Secretary's Group Communications and Marketing
ChenChen Zha  Exceptional leadership in addressing waterborne diseases and promoting clean water access in rural communities in Harare, Zimbabwe. Information Services Group Educational Design and Engagement
Constanza Moreno Sanchez Ornelas Outstanding leadership in organising and growing the People Planet Pint (PPP) Edinburgh Meetups. Corporate Services Group Edinburgh Innovations
Easter Bush Social Responsibility and Sustainability Committee Outstanding collective efforts to support sustainability across Easter Bush. College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
Greener Gatherings Conference Planning Committee Exceptional work in bringing sustainability to the forefront of event planning across the University. All Groups Information Services, Accommodation, Catering and Events and Development and Alumni
Heather MacBain Exceptional contribution to embedding sustainability in the University of Edinburgh's Marketing and Communications (MarComms) practice. University Secretary’s Group Communications and Marketing
Kirsty Robertson Elevating sustainability from a peripheral concern to a strategic priority, demonstrating how individuals can drive meaningful institutional change for our university community. Corporate Services Group Human Resources
Liam MacDonough Outstanding commitment to addressing food waste through an innovative pilot project using Leanpath at Pollock Halls. Corporate Services Group Accommodation, Catering and Events
Lucy Smith Brilliant work in leading the University of Edinburgh’s first ever parkrun takeover at Holyrood Park. Corporate Services Group Sport & Active Health
Mel McNulty Exceptional efforts to improve engagement between the University of Edinburgh’s Security team and the wider University community. Corporate Services Group Estates Department
SWAY Sustainability Working Group  Outstanding work in promoting sustainability and global engagement. University Secretary’s Group Edinburgh Global
Special recognition
Name Achievement College or Group School or Department
Sandra Kinnear Awarded for extraordinary, lifelong commitment to sustainability and service to the environment and community. Corporate Services Group Accommodation, Catering and Events
  • Ania (left) and Amelia (right)
  • Andres Acosta Calderon
  • Edinburgh Hikers student society crouched beside a burn in nature
  • Edinburgh University Judo Club
  • Elizabeth Njambi
  • Jana Al Ramahi
  • Nazarii Lialiuk
  • Reece Speight
  • Ruth Elliot

Students

Name Achievement College School
Amelia Wilkinson and Ania Dabrowska Exceptional leadership of the Precious Plastic Project in the Engineering for Change Society. College of Science and Engineering School of Engineering
Andres Acosta Calderon Outstanding leadership in sustainable development, cross-cultural teamwork, and promoting overall wellbeing as co-founder of the Joy of Impermanence Project. College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Deanery of Biomedical Sciences
Edinburgh Hikers Exceptional commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and community engagement through hiking. N/A N/A
Edinburgh University Judo Club  Dedication to tackling gender inequality in sport. N/A N/A
Elizabeth Njambi Exceptional dedication to promoting access to justice and education for children in conflict with the law in Kenya through the non-profit organisation Wakili.sha. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences School of Social and Political Science
Jana Al Ramahi Exceptional work in promoting sustainability, cultural heritage, and social responsibility. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences School of Social and Political Science
Nazarii Lialiuk Remarkable leadership in social responsibility and sustainability through his work supporting refugee education, youth advocacy, and environmental action. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences School of Social and Political Science
Reece Speight Leading a strategic campaign for fairer travel fares in support of social justice and climate action. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences School of Social and Political Science
Ruth Elliot Exceptional leadership, passion, and commitment in advocating for our students throughout the year, including tackling the student housing crisis, reinvigorating the Student Sustainability Collective and supporting initiatives like the Borrow Cup scheme. Students' Association Students' Association
Six Degrees Edinburgh Exceptional commitment to empowering students across all levels with practical skills rooted in environmental sustainability and science. N/A N/A

Staff and students together

  • Omolayo Oyelakin, Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative
  • Samuel Ghebray, Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative
  • Saline Owaga, Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative
  • Hidaya Ondere, Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative
  • Joshua Folorunsho, Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative
  • Hannatu Sadiq, Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative
  • Delafrida Ukaga, Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative
  • Ezekiel Macharia, Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative
  • Marybeth Ubanwa, Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative
  • Abigael Pertet, Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative
Name Achievement College School
Marvel Owino, Marylyn Oduro Awuah, Theoneste Niyomushumba, Precious Nemutenzi and Inga Ackermann Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative, an innovative new project to empower online students to engage with their local communities to deliver positive change. All Online students, multiple Schools

Highly commended

Staff

  • Amy Reid
  • ECCI sustainable catering working group
  • ITTS Digital Making Team
  • Jonathan Rans
  • Sally Morgan (second left) with Technician Steering Committee
  • Rachel Slater-Pennington
Name Achievement College or Group School or Department
Amy Cawood Leadership in founding the Heritage Collections sustainability group and embedding sustainability into the department’s operations and decision-making. Information Services Group Library and Collections
Amy Reid Inspiring leadership in setting up a weekly Residence Life departmental running group. Her initiative not only encouraged physical and mental wellbeing among colleagues but also strengthened team spirit and fostered a supportive work environment. Corporate Services Group Accommodation, Catering and Events
ECCI Sustainable Catering Working Group: Christy Brewster, Lee Callaghan, Rodaidh McLaughlin, Alison Wood, Annabel Cooper Exceptional efforts in making events more sustainable at Edinburgh Climate Change Institute. College of Science and Engineering School of GeoSciences
Gordon Paterson Outstanding dedication to sustainability within the Chemical Engineering Teaching Labs. College of Science and Engineering School of Engineering
ITTS Digital Making Team Outstanding work in embedding circular economy principles within the University of Edinburgh’s 3D printing facilities. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Edinburgh College of Art
Jonathan Rans Dedicated support in embedding sustainable research practices at the University. Corporate Services Group Edinburgh Research Office
Kelly Douglas Outstanding commitment to sustainability and community engagement at the BioQuarter Campus. College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine Institute for Regeneration and Repair
Materials Hub Improving sustainability and circularity at Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), raising awareness of their resources and among students at ECA. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Edinburgh College of Art
Rachel Slater-Pennington Outstanding support for sustainable lab award renewal and engagement. College of Science and Engineering School of Chemistry
Sally Morgan Instrumental in aligning the technician action plan with sustainable research practices. College of Science and Engineering School of Engineering
Heritage Collections' Conservation and Collections Management team members: Amanda Dodd, Amy Baldwin, Katharine Richardson and Robyn Rogers Innovation to reduce single-use materials in Heritage Collections. Information Services Group Library and Collections

Students

  • Cristina García Arranz
Name Achievement College School
Cristina García Arranz Exceptional dedication to sustainability and social justice through active involvement in impactful programmes and ongoing commitment to learning. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures

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