We are very proud to annouce that the University of Salford has won two Green Gown Awards last week for community and student research projects at a prestigious ceremony in the cultural quarter of Leicester.
Established in 2004, the Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities, colleges and the learning and skills sectors across the UK and Ireland as the education sector leads a path to efficiency, employability and better quality of life for us all.
The education sector is a critical player in ensuring the next generation is equipped with the skills and experience required to provide a sustainable future. The Green Gown Awards celebrate pioneers that are taking the bold steps that are necessary to develop resilience and adaptability and to showcase the education sector’s contribution to society.
Our Castle Irwell Flood Basin Project took home the best Community award. Floods from the River Irwell periodically devastate the lives of the families and businesses in the Lower Broughton and Kersall areas of Salford, most recently on Boxing Day 2015. The project brings together the University, local communities, the local authority and the Environment Agency in an innovative partnership to create a flood protection scheme designed to safeguard over 1400 homes and 500 businesses, provide a high quality 5.5ha wetland wildlife habitat and improve sports facilities for local and student groups. Check out a fantastic video about the scheme here.
We are also super proud of one of our students Danielle Butler, 
who studies in the Sustainable Housing and Urban Studies (SHUSU) unit, also won in the Student Research category for her research which explored fuel poverty among young adult households. She was one of only three student research project finalists. You can watch a video about Danielle’s research here.
Although we didn’t win, our Choose to reUSe project was also shortlisted in the Facilities and Services category for realising savings of almost £0.5m over the last five years by reusing over 600 items across the University. Go here to watch a video about the Choose to reUse project. If you are staff at the University and have any items that you no longer need that could be reused please register and list them at www.warp-it.co.uk/UniversityOfSalford We are currently listing items from the old Adelphi building so similarly if there is anything you need for your office please check the website and if you know of any local charities, community groups or small businesses, encourage them to sign up and partner with us to claim items!
The judging panel consisted of over 80 representatives from the diversity of the education sector and experts in the various fields, including Universities UK, Department of Energy and Climate Change, PwC, WWF and the United Nations Environment Programme.
For more information on the Green Gown Awards please contact Rebecca Bennett on 54071 or r.a.bennett@salford.ac.uk