We're delighted to recognise inspirational staff and student Changemakers who have made a positive impact through their socially responsible and sustainable projects and by encouraging others. 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. 31 University staff, students and groups have received this award in 2023-24, with a further eight individuals and groups receiving highly commended recognition. To celebrate their accomplishments, a celebratory event was held on Monday 10 June. During this event, the Changemakers heard from Vice Principal Catherine Martin, received their certificates, delivered presentations on their respective projects, and networked with fellow recipients.Find out about their inspiring actions below.WinnersExpand allCollapse allStaffAlex Morzeria-Davis Image Exceptional commitment to the Staff Pride Network, working to increase its impact and to reduce inequalities within the University community.Alex started as Co-Chair of the Staff Pride Network in December 2023. As the first non-binary Co-Chair, their courage as a visible role model is inspiring.In a short space of time, their leadership and contributions have supported trans and non-binary people at the University. Representing the Staff Pride Network, their professionalism in meetings and emails with Senior Management and HR to discuss the existing Trans Equality Policy and academic freedom at the University has provided a perspective not previously at the table, giving new insight into the issue which has taken up the most capacity of Staff Pride Network volunteers in the last few years.From their student activism in the summer of 2023 to their Staff Pride Network volunteering, they have shown great commitment to social responsibility.Sustainable Development Goals: 10 Reduced InequalitiesStaff Pride NetworkAmanda Marshall Image Work to deliver Big Dig tree planting events on campus and inspire volunteers to take part and make positive impacts of their own.As founder of the Big Dig initiative, Amanda Marshall led, coordinated and delivered four Big Dig events. Over the four years Amanda, supported by colleagues within Estates and the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability, has recruited hundreds of volunteers who have planted around 2,300 trees.By partnering with the Woodland Trust, Amanda has ensured the University has had access to free trees to plant throughout the estate and is proactively working with colleagues to source suitable land for future planting activity across the estate.The knowledge Amanda has gained over the four years has allowed her to share her expertise in a mentorship capacity and to support others across the University to deliver similar events, such as Peffermill Mini Dig and the hedgerow work as part of the Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme.Sustainable Development Goals: 15 Life on LandUoE SportCatherine MegregianDedicated efforts to raising awareness of sustainability issues, supporting and inspiring others to make positive impacts by example.Achievements:Co-founding and co-chairing a lab user committee for the Composites research group in the School of Engineering.Work on a sustainability project, “Train to Sustain”, helping to streamline sustainability training and resources.Outreach work with IntoUniversity, helping to deliver two workshops to disadvantaged primary school students on waste plastic in the seas and oceans.The lab committee is helping to transform the culture within the lab to improve inclusivity, collegiality, and sustainability. To achieve this, the committee organises social events and lab activities. One such activity is based around the Train to Sustain project, which is a co-creation project funded via Good Research Practice week. This project aims to streamline sustainability resources and training for staff and students via an interactive flowchart, which will direct towards resources or training to suit their needs.Catherine has directly contributed to reducing inequalities by working with IntoUniversity to promote social mobility and inspire children from disadvantaged backgrounds to aspire to third-level education. The workshops that Catherine helped to deliver also promoted sustainability by educating students on the challenges of marine plastic waste.Throughout all this work, Catherine has been a beacon of positivity and proactivity, always encouraging and always willing to lend a hand. She has certainly inspired those around her to take on the important challenges we face both globally and at work.Sustainable Development Goals: 10 Reduced Inequalities, 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, 14 Life Below WaterClaire GrafExceptional commitment to the Disabled Staff Network, working to increase its impact and to reduce inequalities within the University community.As Co-Chair of the Disabled Staff Network Claire works hard in their own time to support disabled staff and PhD students at the University. This extra work is particularly challenging when Claire has their own disabilities to manage at the same time as supporting others with theirs. Claire regularly responds to member emails, meets with Senior Management and collaborates with the other leaders of the staff diversity networks.They have held training courses on disability awareness to colleagues across the University, jointly hosted a monthly lunchtime Disabled Staff Network members' online meeting and more recently set up a monthly online and in-person neurodiversity meetup with fidget toys, colouring books and pens, hot drinks and snacks provided. Claire makes change for our disabled staff at the University, reducing inequalities and raising awareness of their issues to colleagues across the University.Sustainable Development Goals: 4 Quality Education, 10 Reduced InequalitiesDisabled Staff NetworkDavid RadfordExceptional commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, working to increase engagement and to reduce inequalities within the University community.David is committed to social responsibility. As Social & Events Officer for the Staff Pride Network, he collaborates on organising events, for example, hosting the Staff Pride Network monthly Kings Buildings lunchtime Coffee & Cake to expand reach and provide regular community events outwith central campus.In the wider community, Dave is the Fundraising Officer for Edinburgh Curveballs, Edinburgh's social LGBTQ+ squash, padel and tennis group. Last year, he achieved £500 from the UoE Community Fund to pay for squash and padel coaching and £500 from LEAP Sports Scotland for padel and squash come-and-try events, contributing to good health & well-being and reducing inequalities. Dave gives much time and energy to making change for the benefit of others, in his work role supporting students and in his personal time too.Staff Pride NetworkSustainable Development Goals: 3 Good Health and Wellbeing, 10 Reduced InequalitiesEmma TaylorWork to expand the impact of the SaChA programme, and for supporting students to develop sustainability skills for the future and their careers.Over the past two and a half years, Emma has worked part-time alongside her PhD in International Development to embody the principle of effective staff-student co-creation in the Students as Change Agents (SaChA) programme. SaChA aims to create lifelong change agents by empowering students with the skills, mindset and networks to create positive and sustainable change in areas covered by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.Emma has also gone beyond her standard job description to make a significant contribution to enhancements, which have led to sustained growth in student and partner participation and impact. One of these is the development of the ‘SaChA Think Tank’ – Emma recognised the potential of extending the traditional model which uses external partners to host challenge questions and inviting University staff to host internal challenges.A heartfelt thank you to the organisers who made this entire experience seamless and incredibly enriching. Special shout-out to Emma Taylor for orchestrating this entire experience into a plethora of learning opportunities.Student quoteSustainable Development Goals: 4 Quality EducationStudents as Change AgentsErika Warnatzsch Image Work to increase the accessibility of climate education materials, and offer opportunities for individuals to learn about issues surrounding climate change.Erika is dedicated to crafting a series of Climate Solutions MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) aimed at offering free and easily accessible climate education to individuals worldwide. These MOOCs are designed to cater to an international audience, with translations available in multiple languages. The goal is to empower a diverse range of learners to understand the complexities driving the climate crisis, confront the ensuing challenges, and enact meaningful actions towards tackling them.Sustainable Development Goals: 4 Quality EducationClimate Solutions MOOC [external]Jack Halls Image Commitment to furthering sustainability being embedded within the Sports Union, and for supporting others to make positive impacts of their own.Over the last year, Jack has:Added “Economical & Ecological Driving” as a mandatory e-learning module to all Sports Union drivers' training.Tracked emissions of all club travel and provides examples of ways to offset the carbon emissions.Developed a Sustainable Driving Reminder Checklist which is included as part of the Sports Union's transport booking process.Added a Sustainability section to the Sports Union's Transport webpage. This outlines the Sports Union's Sustainability aims, shares best practice, advice and ideas for clubs and provides information/resources on public transport to encourage clubs to travel in this way.Identified opportunities for University clubs and teams to share transport to fixtures/events that are in the same area at a similar time to reduce unnecessary vehicles travelling the same distance.Explored opportunities to collaborate with other Universities in the area to share transport to large events that will be attended by all.Organised and coordinated the opportunity for Sports Union Clubs to engage in the Big Dig at Easter Bush and Peffermill.Presented an Educational Session to the staff team at the Sports Union and has ensured sustainability is considered in all decision-making.Sustainable Development Goals: 4 Quality Education, 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 Climate Action, 15 Life on LandSports UnionKatie Nicoll BainesExceptional commitment to the Staff Pride Network, working to increase its impact and to reduce inequalities within the University community.Social responsibility is a driving factor for Katie and as Co-Chair of the Staff Pride Network she is a visible champion of gender equality, speaking at wider events on women's rights such as a Cabaret Against The Hate Speech rally at the Mound, Edinburgh.She collaborates with Staff Pride Network Social & Events Officers to ensure the network provides year-round quality educational opportunities for the University staff and student communities to learn and share equality, diversity and inclusion values, not only for LGBT+ people but also its intersections with other protected characteristics.Individual work includes submitting Prevent forms for potentially controversial events. Staff Pride Network events and projects are created to reduce inequalities. In her leadership role, Katie meets with and communicates by email with University Senior Management to discuss policies and ongoing issues and attends the University EDI Committee meetings (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion). Extra to her day job she responds to Staff Pride Network-related email enquiries almost daily, providing guidance and support.Sustainable Development Goals: 4 Quality Education, 5 Gender Equality, 10 Reduced InequalitiesStaff Pride NetworkLisa Otty Image Work to develop and increase the accessibility of educational materials, and offer opportunities for individuals to learn about research impacts and climate change.Lisa jointly leads the Digital Humanities Climate Coalition (DHCC), a national coalition of researchers and HE professionals who have been developing and sharing practical strategies to mitigate the climate impact of digital humanities research practices.Comprising a small core team of colleagues at the Universities of Edinburgh, Southampton, Sussex, Manchester and London, and a wider network of participants, the DHCC has developed and published information resources, including an online practical toolkit to help researchers reduce their carbon emissions and reflect on climate justice.Sustainable Development Goals: 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 Climate ActionDigital Humanities Climate Coalition ToolkitMerlyn Seller Image Exceptional commitment to the Staff Pride Network, working to increase its impact and to reduce inequalities within the University community.Merlyn is the Trans & Non-Binary Rep for the Staff Pride Network. Her strength and courage as a visible trans woman truly makes change at the University, giving trans staff and students a voice, for example a speech at the joint SPN-EUSA-PrideSoc Trans Remembrance Day event in Bristo Square.Visibility is key to reducing inequalities and this occasion was observed by trans and non-binary staff, students and members of the public, and their allies. Her personal experience and professionalism in the face of much discrimination is inspirational. She has provided support to trans staff and students in meetings and emails. In setting up and hosting a monthly Trans & Non-Binary Meetup, she has been invaluable to the health and wellbeing of many trans and non-binary staff and students at the University.Sustainable Development Goals: 5 Gender Equality, 10 Reduced InequalitiesStaff Pride NetworkNel Coleman Image Work to increase the accessibility of leaning and research to the local community, and supporting others to make their own positive impacts.Nel joined the University in the role of Library Citizen Science Engagement Officer but, in practice, is helping to bring culture change that benefits community engagement beyond the boundaries of citizen science.Nel has been taking practical action to make useful University literature (grey literature as well as formal publications) more easily accessible to community groups. Nel has started conversations about setting a standard for good quality community engagement, protecting staff, students and communities in situations that would not be covered by research methods training; Nel's role as a self-appointed champion for best practice has been reflected in an appointment to the Binks Hub advisory group.Nel has also been working hard to try to create a means to give communities the practical resources they need - IT equipment, physical space in University - while still protecting the existing business of the University. Nel always takes a collaborative approach which takes account of the bigger picture, well beyond the scope of their immediate role. This means Nel is not only a changemaker, but a wonderful colleague.Sustainable Development Goals: 11 Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesBinks Hub advisory groupPeter Buckley Image Exceptional commitment to improving the sustainability of the Centre for Open Learning, and for supporting and inspiring others to take sustainability actions.Peter has consistently worked hard to bring colleagues and friends together, something that has had a very positive effect on wellbeing at work. Also, entirely on his own initiative, he has raised awareness and kept everyone informed of sustainability and environmental issues and local events.Here are some examples of the systems he has put into place, and how he has changed things at work:Peter has:worked towards creating an inclusive culture by bringing people together, for example by organising coffee breaks (often providing the coffee, milk and biscuits himself)promoted and facilitated better health and wellbeing by organising lunchtime walksset up systems to promote sustainability, like the recycling of batteries and board pensraised awareness of environmental issues by keeping colleagues informed about events, talks, etcenhanced the natural environment of the University, by planting flower bulbs, provided by himself, on campus (permission from the University's Landscaping Team was sought).Peter puts a lot of energy into making things happen and improving his colleagues’ working lives – and he is a great example to the rest of us!Sustainable Development Goals: 3 Good Health and WellbeingCentre for Open LearningProf. Sue Fletcher-Watson Image Extraordinary dedication and efforts to expand and increase the impact of SuperTroop, helping to bring positive benefits to the local community.Sue founded a charity, SuperTroop, in 2017, offering residential breaks for youth aged 8-18 with learning disabilities. The charity provides a valuable contribution to the Edinburgh & Lothians community by running specialist holidays for local young people with high support needs who may never have stayed away from home before, as well as respite for their parents and caregivers.Sue’s wealth of experience in child development as Chair of Developmental Psychology in the College of Medicine and Vetinary Medicine (alongside the immensely skilled and qualified senior volunteers, including other University staff and alumnae/i) undoubtedly makes the holiday a superb example of how to improve wellbeing for some of the most disadvantaged families in the country.As one parent noted:SuperTroop is the only occasion when [my daughter] is apart from her family member for longer than a few hours. This obviously makes a huge difference to her independence and confidence and it also makes the rest of us realise what she can do for herself. It also means we can do things that are hard to do with her or that she wouldn’t particularly enjoy.In terms of impact, the holiday is transformational for both volunteers and families. The young volunteers gain invaluable hands-on experience and insights into care and disability, with many returning year after year and even changing their university/career plans to work in care, medicine and allied fields. More than 60 local families have benefited in the past five years. The final word should come from a parent:It has given us hope. We didn’t think he (or you) would manage overnight away from home/us. It’s hard to describe how happy and hopeful we felt seeing him having a brilliant time doing things that other kids do.Sustainable Development Goals: 10 Reduced InequalitiesSuperTroop [external]Ruth Donnelly and Aidan Tracey Image Exceptional commitment to improving the sustainability of the Careers Service, championing climate training, and for supporting and inspiring others to take sustainability actions.Both individuals worked towards getting 100% of Careers Service staff members to attend Carbon Literacy Training delivered by the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability.They followed this up to encourage individuals in the area to make sustainable decisions as a Department to collectively lower the carbon footprint of the area where they can. This work can inspire others by showing that collective training and follow-through can set up a Department to be able to make a real difference.Sustainable Development Goals: 13 Climate ActionCarbon Literacy TrainingCareers ServiceSeán BradyEfforts to expand and increase the impact of the Wild Peffermill project, supporting volunteers and developing partnerships to improve biodiversity on campus.Seán Brady, a dedicated staff member at Sport and Exercise at the University of Edinburgh, has embarked on a transformative initiative called Wild Peffermill that epitomizes the spirit of environmental stewardship and community engagement. Through this project, Seán has orchestrated the planting of trees and the establishment of biodiverse habitats around the Peffermill Playing Fields.At the heart of Seán's endeavour lies a profound commitment to ecological restoration and conservation. By strategically planting trees, he has not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the area but has also contributed to mitigating the effects of climate change.Through his actions, he has actively contributed to the global efforts aimed at combating climate change and preserving terrestrial ecosystems. Moreover, by fostering partnerships with student volunteers and other University departments, Seán has facilitated collaborative action towards achieving common environmental objectives.Sustainable Development Goals: 13 Climate Action, 15 Life on Land, 17 Partnerships for the GoalsSport and ExerciseWild CampusSigrid Persson Image Creating a platform to facilitate reuse, and supporting colleagues to embrace circular economy principles.Sigrid created Swap Shop which is a sustainable initiative that allows colleagues to swap items they need or no longer require.The communication channel was set up as a commitment to action following a sustainability training course and now has a sizeable community of colleagues who use the service by posting items that need a new home.It's a simple and effective initiative that has seen lots of colleagues positively change their behaviour. The initiative has also seen a lot of items changing hands which has raised the profile of sustainable solutions for unwanted items.Items have included plants, clocks, books, crockery, sofas and chairs. A large number of colleagues have commented how welcome the new initiative has been.Sustainable Development Goals: 12 Responsible Consumption and ProductionEdinburgh GlobalStaff groupsClimate Partnerships Team (Edinburgh Climate Change Institute) Image Exceptional commitment to improving the sustainability of the ECCI, and for supporting and inspiring others to take sustainability actions.When the Climate Partnerships Team work with clients and partners, they then share best practice/what they learn to make ECCI and the institution better.Examples include:bringing plants into the ECCI building to make it happierproviding advice on how to insulate our homescampaigning with Estates and other University departments to recycle, have more sustainable kettles in the kitchens and generally make the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute a place worthy of that building's name.Words used to describe the team in their nomination include: passionate, kind, diligent, inspirational, wonderful and caring.Every one of them embodies sustainability to their core.Sustainable Development Goals: 13 Climate ActionEdinburgh Climate Change InstituteStudentsAlma Kalina Rießler Image Commitment to furthering sustainability being embedded within EUSA, providing opportunities for student voices to be heard in the Student Climate Forum, and for supporting others to make positive impacts of their own.Alma (they/them) has been Vice President Community for the past academic year. Wanting to prioritise the student voice in the governance of the University’s sustainability work, Alma worked with SRS to create a Student Climate Forum, which would bring together students to share their feedback and vision for the future of the University.This is a really exciting initiative as this feedback feeds directly into the University Sustainability, Civic and Social Responsibility Committee and allows students to get involved in governance at a strategic level. This was well received by attendees and has set a strong foundation for future forums, which will be happening twice a year, moving forward.This was the culmination of a lot of Alma’s work this year, as a lot of time and energy was dedicated to building relationships with the new cohort of grassroots student campaigners and supporting them with their projects and goals throughout the year.Sustainable Development Goals: 17 Partnerships for the GoalsAsh Scholz Image Exceptional commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, working to increase engagement and to reduce inequalities within the University community.Ash, the previous LGBTQ+ Officer at the Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA), has spearheaded significant progress in addressing the University's shortcomings in supporting transgender students and staff. Their leadership resulted in impactful achievements, including:Increased inclusivity in restrooms: Availability of period products and sanitary bins in men's bathrooms alongside gender-neutral posters promoting these products.Enforced LGBTQ+ review: Recommended the implementation of an LGBTQ+ thematic review to identify and address key challenges faced by the University's LGBTQ+ community.Celebrating LGBTQ+ history: During LGBTQ+ History Month in February 2023, Ash led the creation and launch of an online archive of "Queer Research." This valuable resource centralises papers and studies on LGBTQ+ topics produced by students and staff throughout the University's history.Building community: Ash organised a flagship event specifically for Edinburgh's LGBTQ+ and ally students, collaborating with all universities in the city. This event fostered a sense of community and raised over £700 for LGBT Health and Wellbeing, a local charity.Sustainable Development Goals: 10 Reduced InequalitiesEdUniLiberation linktree [external]Amer Khushman, Haolan Tu, Jasmine Patel Image Dedicated efforts to raising awareness of sustainability issues, supporting and inspiring others to make positive impacts by example.In spring 2023, Haolan, Amer, and Jasmine took part in the inaugural Students as Change Agents Think Tank programme.Since completing the programme, Haolan, Amer, and Jasmine have gone on to champion sustainability and social responsibility both within the University and beyond.As an outcome of their Think Tank efforts, all three were invited to join the University’s Student Engagement Strategy Group. Their participation in the group has been impressive.Amer and Haolan have taken on coaching roles within the SaChA ’24 programme, supporting a new wave of students in their journey.Jasmine participated in the UNA Europa, an alliance of 11 European Universities, sustainability workshop exploring how Universities can ensure graduates have the understanding and competency to address the climate crisis. Most recently Jasmine has taken up an internship with the organisation U-Belong, an interdisciplinary project aiming to understand university social life.The SaChA team is delighted to see programme alumni embracing their roles as lifelong Change Agents so fully and proving to be such excellent sustainability role models.Sustainable Development Goals: 13 Climate ActionStudents as Change AgentsChenChen ZhaExpanding and increasing the impacts of a water purification project in Harare, Zimbabwe, and helping to reduce social inequalities.The Sustainable Development Hub is a project that aims to support water sanitation in rural communities in Harare, Zimbabwe.From 2023 to now, the project has supported 20 additional households in accessing clean drinking water by using banana peels and moringa seeds (a local seed found in Zimbabwe), which help remove heavy metals and bacteria from the water at no cost to the rural communities.The 20 villages helped have seen a 25% reduction in the number of cholera cases compared to last year.Sustainable Development Goals: 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, 10 Reduced InequalitiesGrace Garland Image Dedicated efforts to raising awareness of sustainability issues, supporting and inspiring others to make positive impacts by example.Grace has made an exceptional contribution to sustainability at Edinburgh in so many ways during her time as a PhD student in the School of Politics and International Relations.Grace consistently brings people together to discuss environmental issues, building community for doctoral students, visiting postgraduates, staff, and members of the public, and inspiring all of us to think and act creatively in response to the challenges we face.In 2021, Grace was a founding member of the Environmental Working Group of Critique, the Centre for Ethics and Critical Thought, with fellow PhD students Talia Shoval and Joseph Conrad. As part of this, Grace has run online events on how to ‘environmentalise’ the curriculum, as well as public events, most notably the ‘Seasonal Sessions’.Grace has worked as an Advanced Fellow at the Edinburgh Earth Initiative, helping to draft a university-wide academic statement on climate justice and injustice to inform present and future policy-making.Grace is a founding steering group member of the new Sustainability Plus Network for Social Scientists at Edinburgh.Sustainable Development Goals: 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13 Climate Action, 14 Life Below Water, 15 Life on LandCRITIQUE’s Environmental Working GroupSus+ the Edinburgh network of social scientists for sustainabilityHafiz Musah Image Exceptional work to expand and increase the impact of FarmAsyst, increasing adoption of sustainable farming practices in Ghana, and contributing to and improving resilience to the impacts of climate change.As Co-founder of FarmAsyst in Ghana, Hafiz and his team from 2021 have facilitated access to inputs, climate-adaptive capacity building, and markets for 1,150 (700 female) smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana in the Yendi and Wa Districts.He has led FarmAsyst to conceptualize the SWAP Project: Sustainability for Women in Agricultural Production in Northern Ghana and is exploring solutions and partnerships for implementation from July 2024.Sustainable Development Goals: 2 Zero Hunger, 13 Climate ActionFARMASYST [external]Isaac Ongoma Image Exceptional work to expand and increase the impact of the Arigrow Consultants Group, increasing adoption of sustainable farming practices in Kenya, and contributing to and improving resilience to the impacts of climate change.Isaac is the founder of Arigrow Consultants. Arigrow Consultants Group has been instrumental in supporting farmers by providing valuable guidance on best farm practices, agrochemical advice, seeds advice, and post-harvest technology advice.They have also established an innovative online platform that enables farmers to directly sell their products to consumers, thus eliminating middlemen in the agriculture value chain.Arigrow has empowered over 500 farmers in adopting sustainable farming practices.Sustainable Development Goals: 1 No Poverty and Goal, 2 Zero Hunger, 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10 Reduced Inequalities, 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 Climate ActionLex Shackley Image Dedicated efforts to raising awareness of sustainability issues, supporting and inspiring others to make positive impacts by example.Whilst on her year abroad at the University of Oslo, Lex has enthusiastically demonstrated a commitment to driving positive social and environmental change, serving as a role model for catalysing sustainable action in her community abroad. Notably, she was involved in a circular economy initiative at the Green Office at the University of Oslo, culminating in the organisation of an innovative and popular ‘Green Friday’ event to mitigate overconsumption on Black Friday.Through a free second-hand shop of donated items, an informative PowerPoint and engaging activities such as painting second-hand mugs station, the team effectively promoted eco-friendly behaviours of reducing consumption, reusing and up-cycling, while fostering a sense of community and collaboration.Sustainable Development Goals: 12 Responsible Consumption and ProductionThe Digital Humanities Climate Coalition Toolkit [external]Michael (Zerong) Liu Image Dedicated efforts to raising awareness of sustainability issues, supporting and inspiring others to make positive impacts by example.As a patient engagement volunteer with the NHS, Michael spearheaded a project where patients engaged in planting trees and flowers within the hospital garden. This initiative not only facilitated physical rehabilitation through gardening but also contributed to creating a healthier and more inviting hospital environment.In Michael's role as a content creator, he capitalised on the knowledge acquired during my studies at the University of Edinburgh, focusing on mental health, to bridge the information gap in China, where access to such resources is limited.In his as a Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS) Leader with the University of Edinburgh, Michael has taken proactive steps to address both the academic and personal well-being of psychology students.Sustainable Development Goals: 3 Good Health and WellbeingNora Quigley Image Expanding the scope and impact of the SHRUB Co-op, and supporting the reuse of resources and adoption of circular economy principles.Nora has been a volunteer and supporter of Edinburgh’s sustainable initiative ‘SHRUB Co-op’. She has been a member of the Board of Trustees since May 2023 and has been a volunteer at the physical store in Tollcross, Edinburgh since May 2022.In this role she volunteers weekly for SHRUB’s vegan, zero-waste cafe and helps to facilitate the day-to-day workings of their circular community ‘Swapshop’. She also is responsible for social media and in-shop marketing and communications.Recently she helped to organise and run the zero waste sustainable fashion show in partnership with SHRUB Co-op, which was a successful event enjoyed by all. On the board of trustees she has chaired the SHRUB EGM, focusing on volunteer feedback, reaffirming organisational principles and confirming sustainability of the organisations current and recent projects and is a liaison point for local community efforts and SHRUB.Sustainable Development Goals: 12 Responsible Consumption and ProductionSHRUB Coop [external]Student groups Babble writing collaboration Image Work to make language learning and education more accessible and engaging to young learners, and contribute to reducing social inequalities.Through this near peer learning/teaching initiative, 40 fourth year Department of European Languages and Cultures (DELC) students have been able to help more than 150 pupils from 18 schools, mostly Edinburgh state schools, to write 43 articles in five different languages for Babble, a magazine in Foreign Languages.It has helped the pupils to practice their writing for their exams and allowed students to lead classes. It has made University a more tangible/less daunting reality for the pupils, built connections between our university and schools and therefore fostered the sense of community that exists among language learners.Sustainable Development Goals: 4 Quality EducationBabble: The School Issue - 2 [external]Babble magazineSex? On Campus! Image Exceptional efforts to raise awareness and inspire action to better support survivors of sexual violence, through the Sex? On Campus! campaign.Since launching the campaign in September of 2023, the campaign has grown massively, achievements include:Speaking to the Scottish parliament's children, young people and education panel about reforming the equally safe policy.Raising awareness for the GBV epidemic currently taking place on our campus, across both local and national news.Running a workshop at the Amnesty UK student conference, explaining how to start up a similar grassroots campaign.Speaking on the gender.ed GBV panel alongside some incredible academicsCreating safe spaces on campus for survivors of sexual violence, providing them with a community and supportHolding educational workshops to improve consent educationAsking that the University improves its current process of dealing with sexual violence complaintsWorking alongside other student groups who have similar focusesCo-ordinating fencing for empowerment workshops in collaboration with Project Forte.This is only some of the work we have done since launching back in September.Sustainable Development Goals: 10 Reduced InequalitiesSex on Campus Instagram [external]Six Degrees Edinburgh Image Expanding the scope and impact of Six Degrees Edinburgh, and championing partnerships and innovation to find climate change solutions.Six Degrees is a pro-bono, student-led sustainability consultancy and think tank, founded in Oxford in 2018. The first Scottish branch was established by eight students of the University of Edinburgh in 2020.Their Lead Analyst has shaped the Scottish Government's five-year Biodiversity Strategy through its first written public consultation response in 2023.They promote solutions to combat climate change through a consulting project for a £1 million-worth climate venture which utilises residual heat from data centres for free heating in Scottish homes.A hybrid consulting and research team is also working with a UNA Scotland-affiliated organisation to address this gap by researching the challenges faced by climate migrants.Sustainable Development Goals: 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13 Climate Action, 14 Life below Water, 15 Life on LandSix Degrees Edinburgh [external]Highly commended Image NameChange madeAgata Gluszek-Kustusz, Ola Pompa, Jess Hall, Toni Mchugh, & Michael Swann Sustainability TeamEnergy reduction campaign at the Michael Swann Building.Ben PootsSupport for the Community Access to Rooms project.Brian McTeirEnergy reduction at Roslin Institute during the winter shutdown period.David Brown, Kirsty StewartEnergy reduction measures during the winter shutdown period.Greta ElliottOrganisation of litter pick volunteering for colleagues at Portobello Beach.Lucien OverweelRepresenting the student voice for sustainability in a Climate Strategy working group.Robbie CourtCommitment to the Staff Pride Network.Robert MacGregor, Charalampos AngelopoulosProviding data analysis of kWh reductions across five sites for energy saving campaign.Find out moreChangemaker AwardTake action: staffTake action: students Publication date 03 Jun, 2024