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