Community engagement
We work with our local community to promote sustainability on a local, national, and global level. A variety of community activities and events are available to members of the public, including local green space projects, community days and work with businesses and schools. This provision includes free educational activities open to everyone with topics aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals. The Institute for Sustainability works with local community groups and businesses via its Innovation Hub to help solve sustainability challenges.
The University's Partnerships and Reputation Policy sets out how the University addresses its community involvement.
Events and lectures
Key sustainability events from the University include:
- How Sustainable Are Your Flowers? (5 November 2024). Join Chobham Flower Farm's Andy Heslop and sustainability expert Dr Jill Timms from the University of Surrey for an evening of flower stories and demonstrations. This event tackles Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG12) and Climate Action (SDG13)
- ESRC Festival of Social Science (19 October - 9 November) and Being Human Festival (7-16 November 2024). The University of Surrey is running a series of events celebrating local history, heritage and creativity. Highlights include:
- Green Means Go? Tackling Surrey's Climate Emergency. This event covers Climate Action (SDG13).
- Dyspraxia Awareness Day. This event covers Reduced Inequalities (SDG10).
- Bridging Digital Divides: building dialogue between young people and parents about online safety. This event covers Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG10).
- Heat-cool: teaching young people how climate change affects our homes. This event covers Climate Action (SDG13).
- Hospitality Welcome ALL and for ALL: exploring how the hospitality sector can better support older people. This event covers Reduced Inequalities (SDG10) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8).
- The Role of AI in Modern Policing. This event covers Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG16).
- Protecting Our Campuses: addressing staff sexual misconduct in universities. This event covers Health and Wellbeing (SDG3) and Gender Equality (SDG5).
- CSI Surrey: an immersive crime science investigation experience. This event covers Industry, Innovation and Infrastructures (SDG9).
- Central Bank Digital Currencies for SMEs and their Supply Chains. This event covers Industry, Innovation and Infrastructures (SDG9).
- Eco-Logic: how we can make 'green-living' easy? This event covers Climate Action (SDG13).
The Centre for Environment and Sustainability also organises a number of sustainable events and lecture series:
Community projects
Recent green space projects have included the development of a community garden in Westborough, one of the various projects available.