University of Southampton

Is one of your friends making a difference in their spare time? Is your dissertation tackling social or environmental challenges? If yes, you should be putting in an application for a Sustainability Action Award. The application process is quick and easy – you just need to complete the short application form, explaining what you are doing and what it’s sustainability impact it.

On winning the student award last year, Oliver Robinson said:

“Being recognised in this way shows how the university appreciates the work done by its students to improve the local community and beyond and that it takes its responsibility as a champion of sustainability seriously. I am proud to have been a part of the expedition and thankful for the acknowledgement given to me by the University.”

For further inspiration to apply, read on about last year’s student winner and runner up…

Scouts expedition to the Himalayas

Last year Oliver Robinson won the Sustainability Action Award for an Individual Student for his volunteering with the Hampshire Scouts Expeditions (HSX), a local county Scout Group dedicated to the training and development of young scouts.

Having benefited from being a scout himself, Oliver was a leader of a six-week expedition to Nepal, leading 11 scouts to the Everest Region of the Himalayas; a unique opportunity for 14-18 year olds to develop as the leaders of the future, honing their navigation, planning and teamwork skills as they test themselves through physical activities such as rock climbing, mountaineering and abseiling. An integral part of the exhibition was a two-week community project, painting and maintaining the school buildings and classrooms at Khumjung Secondary School (for Sherpa children) with the Himalayan Trust, a charity founded by Sir Edmund Hilary. The scouts benefit from engaging with environmental, such as the fading Khumbu glacier and expanding Himalayan glacial lakes, and social matters first hand. Oliver continues to be part of HSX to develop and inspires future Hampshire Scouts.

Not just about volunteering

The awards don’t just recognise volunteering however. Gisela Cebrian Bernat was last year’s student runner-up for work relating to her PhD research 2011-2014, which aimed to understand the organisation-level change needed to building sustainability into undergraduate education at Southampton.

The Sustainability Action Awards seek to recognise the great work students at Southampton are already doing, whether it’s through your research or volunteering locally or abroad. Don’t miss out on your chance (or the opportunity to nominate a friend) to win this prestigious award.

Use ‘awards’ to see further posts on awards news and previous winners.