The Glasgow School of Art’s R A D I A L Project has beaten off
competition from across the UK and Ireland to win the Student Engagement prize
in 2016 Green Gown Awards. Now
in their 12th year, the Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional
sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges.
competition from across the UK and Ireland to win the Student Engagement prize
in 2016 Green Gown Awards. Now
in their 12th year, the Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional
sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges.
The core aim of R A D I A L, which focuses on three key areas – food waste
prevention; extended product life cycles and increased recycling – is to
inspire action towards a zero waste society.
prevention; extended product life cycles and increased recycling – is to
inspire action towards a zero waste society.
Since it was introduced two years ago R A D I A L has:
- directly engaged with
4,000 people at 128 events; - created the first cross Glasgow event celebrating
student zero waste action; - recruited 117 volunteers;
- diverted 9.1 tonnes of
materials/food from landfill - diverted 34.2 tonnes of CO2e from atmosphere.
Commenting on the success
Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of Art, said: “Winning this award recognises, externally, our
commitment to sustainability. We value disruption, diversity, responsibility,
place and collaboration and RADIAL demonstrates these values in practice,
challenging existing norms to find innovative solutions to sustainability
challenges. Student-led, it reflects the important role of artists, designers
and architects working to address today’s global challenges.”
Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of Art, said: “Winning this award recognises, externally, our
commitment to sustainability. We value disruption, diversity, responsibility,
place and collaboration and RADIAL demonstrates these values in practice,
challenging existing norms to find innovative solutions to sustainability
challenges. Student-led, it reflects the important role of artists, designers
and architects working to address today’s global challenges.”
|
| The GSA presented with the Green Gown Student Engagement Award |
Speaking at the Award ceremony,
Mike Barry, Director of Sustainable Business, Marks & Spencer. said, “We stand on the cusp of great change in
the economy and society. It is no longer enough to be a ‘less bad organisation’
focused on preventing the worst environmental and social excesses. Every higher
and further education establishment, business and government department needs
to be thinking about how we change radically our approach to education,
commerce and politics to create a future that is low carbon, equal, circular,
fair, restorative and committed to the wellbeing of all. The Green Gown Awards
help identify these sustainability best practices and encourage the wider
higher and further education system to scale up their use.”
Mike Barry, Director of Sustainable Business, Marks & Spencer. said, “We stand on the cusp of great change in
the economy and society. It is no longer enough to be a ‘less bad organisation’
focused on preventing the worst environmental and social excesses. Every higher
and further education establishment, business and government department needs
to be thinking about how we change radically our approach to education,
commerce and politics to create a future that is low carbon, equal, circular,
fair, restorative and committed to the wellbeing of all. The Green Gown Awards
help identify these sustainability best practices and encourage the wider
higher and further education system to scale up their use.”
R A D I A L is funded by the European Regional Development
Fund which is administered through Zero Waste Scotland.
Fund which is administered through Zero Waste Scotland.
Ends
Further information
Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474
press@gsa.ac.uk
@GSofAMedia
Notes for
Editors
- With
sustainability moving up the agenda, the Green Gown Awards have become
established as the most prestigious recognition of best practice within the
tertiary education sector.
- Student Engagement Award
This category reflects that students and staff must
work together to achieve goals using “top-down” and “bottom-up grass roots”
methods to achieve maximum understanding and engagement across an institution.
This in turn aids student progress and allows for opportunities to gain
transferable employability skills. It looks at both the student input and the
staff commitment and the relationship between the two. It must be clear that
initiatives include both staff and students (not just one party) working in
partnership.
work together to achieve goals using “top-down” and “bottom-up grass roots”
methods to achieve maximum understanding and engagement across an institution.
This in turn aids student progress and allows for opportunities to gain
transferable employability skills. It looks at both the student input and the
staff commitment and the relationship between the two. It must be clear that
initiatives include both staff and students (not just one party) working in
partnership.
Where staff and students are involved, as well as
including the actual numbers, include how they are involved and what
impact/influence they have had.
including the actual numbers, include how they are involved and what
impact/influence they have had.
For full details of the 2016 winners of the
Green Gown Awards visit: http://www.greengownawards.org/files/green_gown_awards_2016_winners_announced_press_release_final_2.pdf
Green Gown Awards visit: http://www.greengownawards.org/files/green_gown_awards_2016_winners_announced_press_release_final_2.pdf
- The
Scottish Government is the Managing Authority for the European Structural Funds
2014-20 Programme. For further information visit the website or follow @scotgovESF.