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Join our Student Sustainability Ambassadors Programme to develop valuable leadership skills, make friends and create a meaningful impact on our campus and the planet!
Applications for 2024-25 ambassador roles will open on Monday 30th September and close on Sunday 13th October - follow our Instagram and subscribe to the Student Sustainability Newsletter to stay informed!
Together we can make #ChangePossible.
Are you eager to enhance your sustainability skills and boost your CV? Want to meet likeminded students and make our campus greener? Our Ambassadors Programme connects you with fellow students and staff who share a passion for sustainability. Working together, you will develop innovative sustainability initiatives to inspire positive change across the campus and support your development as a sustainability leader.
How does the programme work?
We recruit passionate students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, who want to make change possible at UCL and develop skills in project management, sustainability, teamwork, communications, and leadership.
No prior knowledge of sustainability is required. Training will be provided on sustainability and behaviour change and students will be supported throughout the year with a member of staff. We want students to gain valuable experience which they can take into the world beyond UCL.
Students will receive a certificate and points on their Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) once they have completed 20 hours of volunteering. The programme starts in October and finishes in May. The role is flexible, but Ambassadors must clearly communicate with their staff member their commitments ahead of the project and throughout, to ensure completion of the project.
> Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).
Vegan food tasting, climate discussions and environmental movie screenings will be on offer for students to connect, share ideas and make friends!
What do Sustainability Ambassadors do?
Sustainability Ambassadors join staff members to assist them in making the university more sustainable. There are various project groups across some of the different areas of sustainability at UCL.
- Green Impact
Work with UCL staff to complete UCL’s Green Impact toolkit. Green Impact is a sustainability programme, providing a toolkit for staff to complete actions and make their faculties, departments, and work areas more sustainable. You will be asked to complete a project in Term 1 - this could be a piece of research, planning events, or making communication materials. You will then present your work to the UCL Green Champions network (our network of sustainability-minded staff) to share your knowledge to the UCL community. In Term 2, you will help your team to collate evidence of their sustainability actions and work through the Green Impact toolkit.
- Circular Economy and Waste Strategy
Help UCL reduce our waste impact. In the circular economy and waste strategy project group you will develop an understanding of waste strategy, the waste hierarchy and circular economy principles. You will help UCL improve its waste impact through research-based or engagement-based projects on campus.
- Food Sustainability Ambassador
Work with UCL’s catering providers to develop sustainable food initiatives.
> View Sustainable Food and Drink.
- Education and Engagement Strategy
Help to develop Sustainable UCL’s strategy for curricular and extra-curricular sustainability education activities such as the Sustainability Ambassador programme, Student Sustainability Forums, and on-course sustainability content.
> View Sustainable Education
- Communications and Engagement
Help Sustainable UCL engage the UCL community in sustainability by supporting events on campus and by creating website and social media content.
What's in it for you?
- Develop your sustainability skills to boost your CV and receive 1-1 careers guidance from sustainability professionals;
- Grow your network and connections with other likeminded students;
- Inspire the UCL community to create positive and meaningful change;
- Bring your ideas to create a better place for people and planet;
- Receive recognition for your achievements;
- Help make change possible, so that UCL can continue to be a leader in sustainability across the Higher Education sector;
- Be guranteed a place on the Sustainability Leadership Programme and receive access to exclusive training workshops;
- Make friends and have fun!
How can I apply?
Please complete the short application form to apply. The application window is open Monday 30th September and closes 5pm Sunday 13th October. This webpage will be updated with the link to the form when it is live.
All UCL students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, can apply to be a student ambassador. Previous sustainability knowledge and experience isn't necessary; however, it is a competitive programme, and applicants will be scored on their commitment and passion for sustainability.
We believe that diversity is at the heart of sustainability. We’re looking for individuals who bring a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives, because we understand that tackling global environmental challenges requires a diverse approach. Whether you're passionate about climate change, conservation, social equity, or just curious about how you can contribute to a more sustainable future, we welcome your application. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
Key competencies
- An interest in sustainability issues (a knowledge of this area is preferable but not essential);
- Enthusiasm and motivation to make a difference;
- Good organisational skills;
- Ability to work as part of a team;
- Confidence in using own initiative and being a proactive self-starter;
- A commitment to UCL's sustainability aims.
Commitments
- 20 hours, equivalent to 1 hour a week over six months: November – May;
- Initial 2-hour training workshop in October;
- Taking part in Green Impact Auditing in May.