In April, Sam from the Sustainability Team joined five passionate students for a powerful event. They attended the 11th annual Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) Student Sustainability Summit 2025. Hosted at the Liverpool Guild of Students and sponsored by Unity Trust Bank, the day highlighted the power of student voices in creating change. The students were funded to attend by the University’s Sustainability Team, ensuring this opportunity was accessible and inclusive.
A Summit to Restore, Reclaim, and Reimagine
Themed around Restore, Reclaim, Reimagine, and Creative Campaigning, the summit explored the intersection of climate, justice, and activism. Our Salford students – Elysia Courtier, Gladys Oghene, Ahmad Ali, Saadan Hussain, and Ali Aziz Janjua – took part in workshops, talks, and collaborative sessions. Each moment challenged them to think differently and act boldly.
Elysia Courtier, a Business Management with Marketing student, reflected on the importance of new perspectives:
“Attending the event allowed me to experience other attendees’ views on what is lacking, what is needed, and what is wanted… the other viewpoints is key to improving my work – not just for grades, but for my applied application going forward”
Pushing for Responsible Investment
The role of universities in ethical investment was a recurring theme. One standout session, Cut the Ties, focused on how institutional investments can either support or harm sustainability goals. Ali Aziz Janjua, a MSc Project Management graduate and incoming Salford SU Business School Officer, said:
“The most inspiring session was Cut the Ties: How Universities Can End Their Unethical Investments… I got to know how banks and universities are related when it comes to doing business together and how it impacts climate sustainability”
“Glad to hear that 79/143 universities have divested from arms supplies companies… being the upcoming trustee of University of Salford, I can oversee these matters as well”
Sustainability is a key priority for the University of Salford and this extends to how it invests its funds. To ensure that its investments match those of its corporate priorities including sustainability the University has adopted an Ethical Investment Policy.
Climate Justice and Intersectionality
Many sessions addressed how climate issues intersect with identity, equity, and justice. Ahmad Ali, Salford SU’s Business & Law Officer, was especially moved by these conversations:
“It reminded me that meaningful change begins with recognising who is missing from the conversation and ensuring campaigns are shaped around diverse lived experiences”
Saadan Hussain, Chair of the Student Sustainability and Environment Society and MSc Sustainability student, echoed this theme with a powerful example:
“The most inspiring session for me was Rising Temperatures, Rising Risks: The Gendered Impact of Climate Change… It was powerful to see the link between climate resilience, gender equity, and inclusive infrastructure planning”
Students Learning to Lead with Purpose
Workshops like “It’s All Connected!” showed how to frame campaigns for different audiences. “Engaging with the Unsure” helped attendees understand how to reach those not yet convinced. These insights will shape how we communicate and campaign back at Salford.
Current Operation Management and Business Analytics student Gladys Oghene shared:
“One of my takeaways from the summit was that taking small actions consistently leads to a significant impact over time.”
Carrying the Momentum Forward
Throughout the day, there was a shared recognition that student-led action is a powerful force for change – whether through implementing reusable cup schemes, lobbying for ethical investment, or sparking new student forums to amplify sustainability voices.
We’re incredibly proud of our Salford attendees for their curiosity, leadership, and collaborative spirit. And we’re grateful to SOS-UK for providing a space that not only educates but also energises and empowers. The SOS-UK Student Sustainability Summit 2025 might be over, but the momentum continues as our students bring their ideas and insights back to campus and into action.