The Sustainability Awards celebrate the individuals and teams whose actions, ideas and leadership are driving positive change across our University. At Bath, sustainability is not a standalone initiative but a shared commitment embedded throughout the whole institution. Through the energy, innovation and determination of our staff and students, we continue to make progress towards a more sustainable future. These awards recognise and celebrate the changemakers making this progress possible.

Richard Jackson, Director of Sustainability and Space, shared:

Sustainability demands collective effort, and this year our community has continued to turn ambition into action across our education, research, partnerships and operations. Our rise to 56th in the QS Global Sustainability Rankings reflects our shared commitment and the outcome we can achieve together. As we prepare to launch a new Sustainability Plan, we are building on this momentum with a bold, institution-wide vision to help create a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Phil Taylor, spoke at the event and shared:

For me, what stands out most from the Sustainability Awards is the breadth of contribution across our community. Staff and students are driving change in every part of our institution, and these awards not only celebrate their achievements but help accelerate the progress already underway. In our 60th year, it is inspiring to see such a strong commitment to shaping the next 60.

Accelerating sustainability action in sport

This year's awards welcomed Alexandra Rickham PLY, University of Bath alumna, double Paralympic bronze medallist, five-time World Champion sailor, and Director of Sustainability at World Sailing.

Following an outstanding career representing Great Britain at three Paralympic Games, Alexandra has become a leading advocate for climate action, diversity and sustainable innovation within international sport. Alexandra shared that through organisations including World Sailing and SailGP, she champions sport as a powerful force for environmental and social change on a global scale.

Recognising our strengths in sport and sustainability at Bath, our upcoming Sustainability Plan will build on this, advancing sport to help shape a healthier future for people and the planet.

Celebrating our community of changemakers

From pioneering research to student-led initiatives, the University is home to staff and students who are making a real and lasting difference. The shortlisted nominees for this year's awards provide a snapshot of the individuals and teams who are driving positive change across our community.

Discover the nominees' inspiring commitment to sustainability and learn why they have been shortlisted.

Leading Sustainability in the Community

  • People and Planet Society
  • Sam Ellis Hunt
  • Green Impact teams in the Faculties of Science and Humanities and Social Sciences, and Campus Services: led by Susanna Terruso, Pip Bartram, Liz Russell and Emma Cockle
  • AAPS CDT Researchers: Anna Tassie, Jesse Wise, Matt Hutchins, Nina Patel and Ruth Gibson

Winner: Sam Ellis Hunt

Solutions for Bath's Sustainable Future

  • Lucy Martin
  • Lucia Burtnik
  • Zina Abdulla, Lydia Hudson and Mina Egbhall
  • Carbon Reduction VIP Team: Katie Parker, Edward Owen, Lucy Danson-Whittaker, Dominique Rodgers, Alex Holman, Aoife Carey, Libby Keel, Chloe Robertson, Mathilde Catsamba, Maria Popov, Katie Lovelady and Brian Rutter

Winner: Zina Abdulla, Lydia Hudson and Mina Egbhall

Leader in Lab Sustainability

  • Silvia Martinez Micol
  • Marjorie Gibbon
  • Sara Crew
  • Edmund Dadge

Winner: Edmund Dadge

Innovation in Education

  • Taghried Abdelmagid
  • Diletta Acuti and Tamsin McLaren
  • Kostas Iatridis, Gabriela Miranda, MSc Careers Service
  • Peter Manning
  • Fionna Uppilirajan

Winner: Taghried Abdelmagid

Empowering Changemakers

  • Sarah Peel
  • Yixian Sun
  • Sanchia Jones
  • Green Week Committee: Sophie Allison, Edie Nelson, Sachio Nishiyama, Beth Rose Sladen, and Isabella Rees
  • Library Spark team: Sarah Ormes, Hilary Cooksley, David Stacey, Sophie Sweeney, Clare Bannister and Brooklyn Halladay

Winner: Yixian Sun

Sustainable Student Group of the Year

  • Bath Crochet Society
  • Women’s Rugby Club
  • Backstage Society
  • Bath University Green Party
  • V-Repair
  • Sustainable Fashion Society

Winner: Women’s Rugby Club

Outstanding Commitment to Sustainability (staff)

  • Claire Tanner
  • Susanna Terruso
  • Carly Symons and Raff Stone
  • Matt Durant
  • Ben Jones
  • Marketing and Digital teams

Winner: Claire Tanner

Student Leader for Sustainability

  • Aditi Thayyur and Ferra Luengvoraphan
  • Aleyah Humayun
  • Sophie Williams
  • Malcom Marega

Winner: Aditi Thayyur and Ferra Luengvoraphan

Recognising progress across campus

Sustainability continues to gain momentum across the University, with 69% of all departments now participating in staff-focused sustainability programmes. Initiatives such as Green Impact and the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) are empowering teams to embed sustainability into their work culture. The Sustainability Awards provided an opportunity to celebrate these collective efforts, including:

  • 19 certified Green Impact teams
  • 23 newly certified LEAF labs

This year also saw strong engagement with Carbon Literacy training. More than 130 staff and students completed the course, with over 48 achieving certification so far.

Moving forward

The Sustainability Awards highlight what can be achieved when individuals and teams come together with a shared commitment to creating positive change. The dedication demonstrated by this year's nominees and winners continues to strengthen Bath's sustainability commitments and inspire progress across the University.

More than ever, it is clear that everyone has a role to play in shaping a more sustainable future. Explore the initiatives and resources tailored for staff and students and discover how you can contribute to our growing community of changemakers.