Staff and students at Keele University have been shortlisted for three awards in a prestigious awards programme celebrating sustainability in higher and further education. 

The Green Gown Awards were set up to recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the world at both an individual and an institutional level. 

Now in its 20th year, the finalists for this year’s UK and Ireland competition have just been announced, with Keele named as a finalist in three categories. 

The university is in the running for the Next Generation Learning and Skills category for its work on climate change education across the West Midlands through its Net Zero and Smart Energy Skills Bootcamp series. These are a series of professional development courses funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority, which equip individuals with the knowledge and expertise to drive real change in their organisations. 

Keele has also been shortlisted in the two Sustainability Champion categories, for both staff and students, celebrating the Earth Stories Film Festival project run in the School of Humanities. 

Earth Stories is a student-led initiative which invites filmmakers from all over the world to submit short films about climate change and environmental sustainability, with the student team who co-founded the festival (pictured left) – Aaliyah Gardner, Emily Stevenson, and Charlie Beale – nominated in the Sustainability Champion Student category. They were supported by Lecturer in Media, James McAteer, who is also shortlisted for his work in the Sustainability Champion Staff category. 

Alana Wheat, Sustainability Engagement Officer at Keele University, said: "We're pleased to see recognition for the fantastic effort put in by the key organisers of the Earth Stories Film Festival committee, and also to the Keele University Skills Bootcamps helping local people to gain sector-specific green skills in net zero, smart energy and place-based decarbonisation." 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Professor Mark Ormerod, added: “The Earth Stories Film Festival and the Net Zero and Smart Energy Skills Bootcamps are both fully deserving of being shortlisted for Green Gown Awards. They are two very different initiatives with the aim of increasing awareness of and engagement with climate change and environmental sustainability and increasing skills in green energy, decarbonisation and smart energy.” 

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Edinburgh in November.