sustainability research network reflections on a student-led initiative at the university of...

Sustainability Research Network

Reflections on a Student-Led Initiative at the University of Nottingham

Sarah Glozer | Georgina Wood | Eleanor Hadley Kershaw

Student Action for Sustainability Conference, 29th-30th October 2013, Keele University

Context

Sustainability

GeorginaGeography

SarahBusiness

EleanorSociology

JennyArchitecture

OrlaBioscience

Identifying the gap

‘Pockets’ of sustainability research taking place at UoN

Sustainability is an inter-disciplinary subject area

PGRs / ECRs are keen to share ideas

Sustainability teaching and learning - key focus for UoN

Need: Network to bring together PGRs / ECRs with

an interest in sustainability

May 2013: SRN is born

Promote interdisciplinary

collaboration and discussion

Facilitate sustainability

knowledge exchange

Support the quality and visibility of sustainability

research at UoN

Raise awareness of opportunities at UoN

and beyond

SRN Today: Key Stats

No. of Members: 50+

No. of Depts represented: 22

No. of events held: 6

No. of events in pipeline: 2

Funds awarded: £1215

Communication: Email (50) Twitter (101) Facebook (38) Blog (138)

“I’m delighted to see the birth of this network and

I’m looking forward to seeing how it grows,”

[Lecturer]

Key Milestones

Nov2011

Sarah & Georgie meet

Oct2012

Jan2013

Feb-April2013

May2013

SRN launch

Eleanor, Jenny & Orla

come on board

Funding applications

Establish SRN: name, logo, email, social media, contacts, event planning,

funding awarded

June2013

July2013

Aug2013

Sept2013

Oct2013

Nov2013

Dec2013

2014

Planning meeting & Mission statement

What have we learnt?

Learning 1: Think strategically

Develop relationships with senior stakeholders

Make alliances with helpful contacts (Graduate School)

Support UoN sustainability and research priorities

Discover related societies / research groups / initiatives

Teaching: ‘NOOCs’ and MOOCs

Sustainability, Society & You

(MOOC)

Launching 06/01/2014

Learning 2: Listen to your members

“The opportunity to gain a different perspective on own research”

“Create networks with external organisations”

“Connections between scientists and those studying the impacts of sustainable solutions”

“Advising the UK government,” “Influencing the cares of the next generation”

" Topics such as Sustainability often generate general

positive discussion (who can argue about saving the planet) but I’d like to see us

discuss some more negative issues… why do people focus on the “easy”

activities (e.g. recycling) rather than on more

dramatic lifestyle changes (e.g. cooking for themselves)?” [SRN Member]

Learning 3: Be true to who you are

Established society vs. organic network

Formal commitment vs. Flexibility?

Face to face meetings vs. working online?

Focus upon driving the network, whilst understanding individual workloads

Believe in your research field, but keep your mind open and respect the work of others

Learning 4: Play to your skills

Communication skills

Networks

Event planning

Technical knowledge

Funding applications

New skills…?

Learning 5: Set aside some time

Don’t underestimate the time commitment…. Managing Email Inbox Contacting speakers Booking rooms Updating social media Constant recruitment focus Funding applications Meetings Special requests Event planning Attending events ….

Where do we go from here?

Extend to international campuses (China & Malaysia)?

Develop regional network outside of UoN?

Establish Advisory Board?

Recruit new committee members?

Provide alumni support?

Invite interest from MBA, MSc cohort?

Do you have any suggestions? ?

Sustainability Research Network

Please continue the conversation

sresearchnet.wordpress.com

Our 5 key learnings…

1. Think strategically

2. Listen to your members

3. Be true to who you are

4. Play to your skills

5. Set aside some time

Thank you for listening……Any Questions?

@sresearchnet

Sustainability Research Network

Sarah, Georgie, Eleanor & Jenny

SRN@nottingham.ac.uk