The University of Westminster has expanded Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs) for Sustainable Development to all undergraduate students from the 2026-27 academic year, following a successful pilot with first‑year students earlier this year. The VIPs give students and academics the chance to collaborate on research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Every project is open to students from across all levels and disciplines, giving everyone within the University community the opportunity to bring their own unique perspective to each initiative and build their networks beyond their course.
The VIPs now available to students include the Cavendish Living Lab, Co-creating Rwanda’s Future, the Democratic Education Network, Language Matters in Migration, StreetLaw, Westminster Genome Health Hub, Learning Through Clay and Westminster Waves. Each project is led by Academic Directors who guide students’ research and project development.
From next year, all VIP seminars will be delivered by the Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation (CETI) in Zone29, the University’s new home for careers and enterprise.
Reflecting on their experience, Milly Mah, a first-year Economics and Management BA Honours student who participated in the Co-creating Rwanda’s Future project earlier this year, added: “As it is an interdisciplinary module, I had the chance to work with people from completely different courses like Tourism, Human Resources and even Quantity Surveying. We all brought different perspectives which was amazing and gave me such a good insight into how to work in a group. It also helped build my confidence, especially in communication and adaptability. The module constantly evolved, which made it feel like a real working environment.
“I would advise anyone to get involved with a VIP as they will push you out of your comfort zone and will give you something that you can share with future employers. In your first year it is so easy to focus on just passing your modules but I think it is amazing to do something scary straight away because the lessons you learn are invaluable.”
Milly Mah presenting her project
Dr Andy Pitchford, Head of the CETI, said: “The challenges of the future won't be solved by individuals dreaming up wonderful ideas in isolation or in ivory towers. They will be best addressed by people working together and finding the space and time to be thoughtful and creative. VIPs give students opportunities to develop their research skills, to work in inter-disciplinary teams and to put forward ideas and proposals that can make a difference to the world. This first year showed us how the VIP experience can be really good for student development, but also what interesting and valuable contributions students can make when given the chance.”
Morgan Lirette, Sustainable Development Advisor at Westminster, added: “I wholeheartedly thank our first cohort of VIP students for giving this model a chance. VIPs represent exactly the sort of education we want to be known for at Westminster - student-centred, authentic, career-boosting and fertile ground for the next generation of sustainability leaders. We look forward to welcoming all undergraduate students into this space - undoubtedly enhanced by the brilliant students from our pilot year.”
The VIPs directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically 4: Quality Education, 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 17: Partnership for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
To find out more about the Vertically Integrated Projects for Sustainable Development contact the Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation.
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