In this short film Jen O’Brien, the University’s Academic Lead for Sustainability Teaching and Learning, gives a brief overview of her work. She explains that in order to enable a greener, healthier and fairer future we need to think differently and radically, and create new, co-constructed, multi-sector partnerships to bring together new knowledge to see the world differently.

At the University we have 46,000 talented students who are a strong force for positive change both after they graduate, but also during their time at the University. Jen is looking for ways in which every student has the opportunity to affect positive change for sustainability through their core learning.  A good example of this is the University Living Lab, where students can adapt research for their dissertations, assignments and coursework to address the needs of external organisations. Their work can then make a real difference through adopting an applied, interdisciplinary learning approach.

Jen explains how we work closely with our communities near and far. An example of this is through the University’s allotment, which is a co-constructed partnership with Ardwick Climate Action and some of our nearest neighbours. It also acts as an on campus green classroom that is enhancing biodiversity in a beautiful space.

Jen’s work with Sustainable Futures stretches across the University and into our city region and beyond through her work with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) to critically consider the ‘green skills’ that we need to meet our 2038 Zero Carbon targets.

• For more information visit University Living Lab or email Jennifer O’Brien.