Last week we hosted the North East’s first LEAF Audit training workshop!
The event was organised by one of our sustainability officers, Phoebe, and was open to all Universities in the region taking part in LEAF. Attendees joined us from Newcastle, Northumbria University and Durham University.
This in person training session was delivered by Caitlin Broadbent a member of the UCL LEAF team, who expertly informed our participants on how to audit a LEAF lab to a high level. A range of discussions of answers and scenarios taking place in labs across the institutions led to some great deliberations. As a result, all workshop attendees are now equipped as LEAF lab auditors!
What is LEAF?
LEAF, or the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework, is an online platform for laboratory users designed by UCL to improve the sustainability and efficiency of working practices within wet labs. Teams work through sustainability actions covering a wide range of topics to reduce waste, water, and energy along with improving the efficiency of other resources aiming to get either a bronze, silver or gold accreditation.
We have a rapidly growing group of LEAF Labs and auditors at Newcastle University, and we’re excited to see how our community grows over 2026.
How to get involved?
- Sign up on the LEAF portal
- Register with your institutional email, then login and either join an existing lab, or request a new lab (if your lab is not already listed).
- After your account is verified, work with your team through the wide range of criteria. Submit for your answers and then you will be audited.
- Every year, progress to a higher certificate, or re-audit to keep your accreditation.
