The Cavendish Living Lab hosted a Sustainability Symposium at the University of Westminster on 13 July 2023. The student-organised event invited experts from various sustainability organisations who shared their experiences with attendees and was attended by students across disciplines and academic levels, researchers, academics and entrepreneurs.
The Symposium facilitated knowledge exchange and collaboration on sustainability challenges and celebrated the achievements of the Cavendish Living Lab (CLL), a Quintin Hogg Trust-funded project which provides opportunities for students to co-create sustainable solutions using applied research and learning within an authentic setting. The project is led by Dr Pooja Basnett, Senior Lecturer in the School of Life Sciences and the Co-Course Leader for the Biological Sciences BSc Honours course. Dr Basnett is also a module leader for the Level 6 module Designing a Sustainable World. Co-Leads are Dr Dipankar Sengupta, and Dr Linda Percy, who are also Senior Lecturers in the School of Life Sciences.
The three main drivers of the CLL project are authentic learning, sustainability and employability. The CLL is open to all Westminster students and uses the University campus as its laboratory; providing a platform for students to partner with various stakeholders to address real world issues and develop innovative, sustainable solutions. It has three current strands: Urban Food Growing, Bioplastics Production and Water Management.
Speakers at the Symposium included Chris Long MBE, founder of Earthdive; Karen de Vries, co-founder of the La Loma Viva Foundation; Sheena Patel and Mohsin Ravjani, co-founders of Change Ahead; and Dain Son Robinson, Head of Sustainability at New West End Company. Students from the CLL project shared their project journey, challenges, new skills, and findings as well as a plan for future work. They also hosted a Q&A with the audience. The symposium was followed by drinks and reception where attendees had the opportunity to network.
Speaking about the project, Dr Basnett said: “I was delighted to witness students on the Cavendish Living Lab project taking on the responsibility of organising the Symposium alongside us. It was wonderful to see them demonstrate their leadership skills and execute such an event. The speakers at the Symposium shared their unique sustainability journey. It was truly inspiring to hear about their impactful work and it served as a reminder that all of us have a role to play in building a sustainable future. It was a day of gratitude and inspiration as we looked back at all that we have achieved as a team and to the future prospects that lie ahead of us.”
Speaker Karen de Vries said: “I had such a wonderful day at the Cavendish Living Lab Symposium. We witnessed so many inspiring people coming together and connecting the dots between so many different initiatives and ideas. The students were so enthusiastic, and it was so wonderful to meet everyone. Beautiful hearts have adjoined in this project, and I can’t wait to see what you all get up to next.”
Angie Arias Trujillo, a first-year student on the Cognitive And Clinical Neuroscience BSc Honours course, said: “I am grateful for the experience of learning from inspiring sustainability-focused speakers. Their insights have sparked my commitment to be part of the change that our world needs. Witnessing the power of our teamwork and motivation has strengthened my belief that this project is just the start of a sustainable solution within universities.”
Soumya Sharma, a student on the Applied Biotechnology MSc course, said: “The experience of organising the Symposium was truly thrilling. Throughout the process, I gained valuable knowledge and refined my event management and public relations skills. The highlight for me was presenting the team's six months of hard work, as it allowed me to relive the wonderful memories that we created and realise the significant achievements that we accomplished. The event itself was incredibly interactive and productive thanks to the participation of remarkable speakers and guests.”
Morgan Lirette, Sustainability Advisor at the University of Westminster, said: “There's never a dull day at the Cavendish Living Lab. This brilliant team of students and colleagues continuously impress and inspire. As a sustainability professional, the CLL is a posterchild for sustainable living - reconnecting with nature and people and innovating in order to do what you can, where you live, with what you have. I'm thrilled our students have the opportunity to practice and explore sustainable living on our campus. In doing so they also gain all sorts of other skills beyond the lecture hall like collaboration, project management and events management."
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