Kingston University recognised at Green Gown Awards with highly commended award

Kingston University has been recognised at the 2024 UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards with a highly commended award in the next generation learning and skills category.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK and Ireland. With categories such as research with impact, and sustainability reporting, more than130 projects from around 80 institutions were shortlisted.

Colleagues from the University's Learning and Teaching Enhancement Centre (LTEC) and Sustainability teams travelled to Edinburgh in November for the awards ceremony which concluded with 22 winners and 23 highly commended awards.

Strategic Academic Lead for Sustainability, Tânia Dias Fonseca and Strategic Operational Lead for Sustainability, Stephanie Todd reflected on the importance of being recognised in the national awards.

"This recognition highlights our commitment to transformative learning through continuing professional development (CPD) initiatives that empower our staff," they said. "By partnering with students to develop resources and showcasing their incredible coursework, such as films, installations, and performances, students inspire our community to embed sustainability into the curricula. This accolade celebrates our collective efforts in fostering a culture of sustainability at Kingston University and beyond."

The judges welcomed Kingston's transformative learning approach to CPD which has engaged both students and a wide range of professional and academic staff across the University.

Student-staff partnerships have fostered sustainable leaders across the University, resulting in the development of engaging toolkits, which has highlighted the potential for long-term integration of sustainability in course design infrastructure. These have increased students' ability and enthusiasm to take charge of their own learning within the context of sustainability. The comprehensive range of initiatives has also helped support the University in reaching its sustainability goals.

With sustainability high on the agenda for many institutions, the Green Gown Awards are considered one of the most prestigious recognitions of best practice within the further and higher education sector.

As the awards continue to provide a national platform to showcase effective sustainability practices undertaken by universities and colleges, Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Spier reinforced the importance of engaging students in sustainability initiatives.

"Sustainability and Future Skills are cornerstones of our university, with students and staff playing a pivotal role in fostering a new generation of sustainable leaders and change-makers," Professor Spier said. "I am delighted that our commitment to placing students at the heart of our institutional Sustainability Plan and encouraging others has been recognised."

• Find out more about the Green Gown Awards