Green Gown Awards shortlisting for sustainable education at Essex

Getting students involved in sustainability has led to the University of Essex being shortlisted for a national education award.

The Green Gown Awards recognise universities for exceptional efforts to promote sustainability and Essex is shortlisted for the Student Engagement Award thanks to its Stepping Stones project.

Sustainability Manager Daisy Malt said: “Before our undergraduate and postgraduate students even arrive at Essex, we are providing them with the ‘stepping stones’ to a sustainable future.

“Our approach is to encourage a sustainability mindset and integrate sustainability principles into key moments of the learning journey and student life.”

The Stepping Stones project includes integrating sustainability into the University’s online preparation programme, Welcome Week activities, Sustainability Awareness Week, student-led initiatives and recognition through the Sustainable Essex Awards.

Daisy said: “This approach encourages students to observe, question, and reflect on sustainability through their studies and in their daily lives. Throughout their time at Essex, we are offering many opportunities to students to develop projects which make a difference within the University and the surrounding community.

“We want students to feel they can make change happen and help build a better future right now and in their future careers.

“We hope to equip them with the skills and mindset to feel empowered and confident about using sustainable practices in their future careers.”

Sustainable Essex Awards recognise student and staff-led sustainability projects across the institution. Projects have focused on mental and sexual health in the community, environmental neighbourhood planning with a local council, food waste, recycling fashion, and climate cafes.

Students are also being offered careers workshops with a sustainability lens to support them to find jobs in the sector in the future.

In 2024-25, nearly 900 students completed the sustainability section of of the preparation programmes., 23 staff in Essex Pathways and Edge Hotel School undertook training on implementing sustainability into their curriculum, 43 students were recognised in the Sustainable Essex Awards and 35 students helped establish the Sustainable Students Society.