Use your discipline to solve a real-life sustainability challenge!
The University of Salford is collaborating with the British Academy and Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS UK) to demonstrate the importance of the arts, humanities and social sciences in tackling sustainability challenges.
We’re currently seeking a small and passionate group of students to take part in developing impactful solutions to address a local sustainability challenge.
This project is part of the SHAPE Sustainability Impact Projects, which are open to students studying social sciences, humanities or the arts. This includes disciplines such as Business, Marketing, English, History, Geography, Law, Finance, Media, Journalism, Sociology, Psychology, Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Design.
The project brief: Enhancing Community Growing Space engagement
At the University of Salford, we have a wonderful Community Growing Space behind Clifford Whitworth Library, but it is currently underused. We want your help to increase engagement, stewardship and connection with the Community Growing Space.
Through researching current usage and gaining an understanding of why it is underused (including by students, staff and the local community), we’d like you to come up with practical approaches to increase usage, and if possible, implement at least one of your ideas (though this may happen after the project timescale).
There are currently weekly gardening sessions run at the Community Growing Space (which are often not well attended) but we also encourage wider use of the space at any time. There are wellbeing benefits and opportunities to grow food, enhance the area for wildlife and simply enjoy the space.
A student gardening society recently launched so there is potential to work with them, and the research and outputs can also support engagement with other green spaces such as the New Adelphi Secret Garden.
We value the perspective and ideas of students, and this is an opportunity to have a direct impact on sustainability at the University
How it works
Participants will work on this real-world problem in an interdisciplinary group from October 2026 to end of February 2027, with support from University staff and Early Career Researchers from the British Academy.
There will also be opportunities to network with other Salford students and students from University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, who will be working on other sustainability projects.
Participants will be invited to a launch event at the University of Liverpool on 21 October (with travel funded), and present their final proposals at an in-person conference here at the University of Salford in March 2027. Don’t worry if you won’t be able to attend the launch event, you can still take part.
The project has the expected time commitment of at least one day a month (flexible around your studies).
Why take part?
- Attend and present at an in-person conference, where you will meet students and academics from other universities and the British Academy, as well as local decisionmakers and leaders.
- Gain unique experience and skills to support job or further study applications by working in a team to solve a real-world challenge.
- Develop a range of green skills valued by employers including critical and systems thinking, problem solving, time management, project management, leadership, being proactive, and more.
- Network with fellow students and staff within and beyond The University of Salford, SOS UK, and The British Academy.
- Contribute to the project flexibly around your studies and other commitments.
- Receive training and bespoke support.
Earn a digital badge for your social media and CV demonstrating your participation in the programme.
How to apply
If you are interested in taking part in this project, please complete this application form by 5pm Wednesday 30 September.
If you have any questions, contact Neva Mowl, Education for Sustainable Development Manager N.Mowl@salford.ac.uk.