Author Archives: Charlotte

Autumn and Winter Cycling Tips! 

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Cycling is a great way to get active, travel sustainably, and save money on transport costs. While commuting by bike is more popular in the summer months, riding through autumn and winter can be just as enjoyable (with the right preparation)!  

Here are our top tips to help you stay warm, visible, and confident on your winter commute! 

  1. Prepare your bike 

A well-maintained bike is essential during the colder, wetter months.  

  • Attend a Dr Bike session to ensure it is road safe​. Find out about our upcoming Dr Bike dates here. 
  • Invest in winter tyres that are wider and puncture resistant ​if you can 
  • Add mud guards to your bike if possible​, they help to protect you and your bike from dirty water and dirt build up on your bike. 
  • Keep your bike clean to maintain a good condition level 
  1. Staying visible  

Winter commuting often means riding in the dark. Make sure you are visible on the roads. 

  • Add plenty of lights to your bike, and make sure they meet the legal requirements. Check out Cycling UK’s guide to cycle light regulations that provides detailed  guidance. 
  • Wear reflective and bright clothing to increase your visibility to other road users.  

Did you know colleagues can buy reflective clothing and bike lights under the University Cycle to Work scheme? 

  • Consider your road positioning and whether it needs to change in low lighting. To learn more, read the Cycle Scheme ‘Road Positioning for cyclists’ page. 
  1. Keep warm and dry! 
  • Invest in some warm and waterproof layers and a bag to keep you and your belongings dry on your commute​.  
  • Cycling UK recommend thermal gloves and socks, cycling glasses and a buff to keep your head warm under your helmet.  

Did you know colleagues can purchase cycling and safety equipment and via the Cyclescheme?​ 

  1. Plan Ahead 
  • Check the weather forecast before heading out on a long ride 
  • Plan your route in advance and test it out in daylight to build confidence 
  • Consider sharing your location with a close friend or family member when you leave and let them know when you have arrived at home or campus 
  • Stay alert to risks and be aware of the noises around you. 
  1. Secure Your Bike 
  • Only secure your bike to purpose-designed Sheffield stands, racks or bike parking systems 
  • Ideally use at least one ‘Sold Secure’ certified bicycle lock of at least bronze standard​ 
  • Double lock your bike where possible using two locks (one at the front and one at the back) 

Thank you for reading, happy cycling and stay safe this winter!

Email us at sustainable-campus@newcastle.ac.uk to join the universities Bicycle Users Group on Microsoft Teams! 

The 2025 Winter Break Switch Off at Newcastle University

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What is the Winter Break Switch Off?

The Winter Break Switch Off is a university-wide campaign where we encourage staff and students to turn off any electrical items that can be switched off instead of leaving them on standby over the Winter break.

Why is the Winter Break Switch Off important?  

By turning off everything that can be turned off, we will reduce our energy consumption across the campus. The Winter Break Switch Off campaign has been run for a number of years to minimise energy wastage and contribute to our carbon reduction targets.

We also hope that the Winter Break Switch Off will encourage positive behaviour change more widely and remind colleagues and students to minimise their energy wastage by remembering to switch off what they can every day.

Who participates in the Switch Off?

We would like everyone at the university to participate if they are able to, that includes staff and students across labs, offices, and accommodation. The advice on what to turn off will vary for each location – guidance on what should be switched off is in this blog post. 

When switching off your work area, it can be helpful to organise a switch off team that can check each area after most people have left for the term to ensure everything that can be switched off, has been.

Here are some examples of items that could be switched in various area across campus:

  • Staff working in offices: Lighting, computers, monitors, printers and photocopiers, kettles and fridges (after they have been emptied and cleaned). Also, it is important to make sure that all windows have been properly closed. 
  • Labs and medical buildings: All the above can be applied in addition to drying cupboards, fume cupboards and fridges/freezers that will not be in use over the break (please do not turn off equipment that is in use).

Many students leave their accommodation over the Winter break, meaning their accommodation will be empty over the holidays. If you are going away over the winter break, there are a few things that you could do before you leave:

  • Clean out and defrost your fridges and freezers the day before you leave by turning them off at the wall and popping a towel underneath to soak up the melted ice.
  • Turn off your kettles and toasters at the wall.
  • If there is a wall switch for your oven this is also a good thing to turn off easily, as well as lights and plug sockets.

For more switch off information, visit the Winter Switch Off events listing.

If you have any questions or ideas about the Winter Break Switch Off, please email the Sustainability Team at sustainable-campus@ncl.ac.uk

Thank you for reading!

Sustainability Team Beach Clean 2025!

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This week the Sustainability Team headed to Tynemouth Longsands Beach and Cullercoats for a beach litter pick in support of the Great British Beach Clean 2025.

Every September, thousands of people across the UK head to the coast to take part in this nationwide event, organised by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). Last year volunteers across the UK removed over 764,000 litter items from our beaches, weighing more than 16,800kg. This year’s Great British Beach Clean is running from Friday 19th to Sunday 28th September, and we were proud to play our part in helping protect our local coastline.

Armed with litter pickers, gloves, and clipboards, we spent the afternoon collecting waste along the shoreline, aiming to improve the environment for people and wildlife.

We used the MCS litter survey forms to record the types and amounts of waste we found. These forms are an essential part of the Beach Clean, allowing the MCS to track pollution trends and build evidence to campaign for cleaner seas and stronger environmental policies.

Some of the most commonly found items included:

  • Small pieces of plastic
  • Bottle tops and lids
  • Cigarette butts
  • Fishing line and small netting fragments

The data we collected will now feed directly into the MCS’s national database, helping researchers and policymakers better understand the scale and sources of beach litter.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part! And we are happy to report there wasn’t an awful lot of litter at the beach, thanks to the local community who regularly litter pick.

Want to get involved?
The Great British Beach Clean is running until Sunday 28th September, and there are events happening all over the UK. Visit the Marine Conservation Society website to find out how you can take part and help protect our beaches.

Let’s keep our coastline clean!

Sustainable September: What’s coming up!

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September is a big month for environmental awareness, conscious consumerism, and collective action. Whether you’re just beginning your sustainability journey or looking to deepen your impact, here’s what’s coming up next month and how you can get involved!

Organic September

Led by the Soil Association, Organic September celebrates organic food and farming. It’s a chance to learn about the benefits of choosing organic for our health and the planet. This Organic Septembers focus is the connection between healthy soil and healthy food. Try swapping one or two regular shopping items for organic alternatives and support farmers who are working with nature.

Tip: Look for the Soil Association organic certification logo next time your food shopping, or read the Soil Associations Organic Living Guide

Second-hand September

Fashion is famously one of the most polluting industries, with millions of clothes ending up in landfill every year. Hosted by Oxfam, Second-hand September encourages people to say no to new clothes for 30 days and take a stance against fast fashion.

Challenge yourself to find an outfit from a thrift shop or host a clothes swap with friends.

Tip: Read our blog for tips on tackling fast fashion.

Photo: Oxfam

World Car Free Day: 22nd September

Join cities around the world in ditching your car for the day. Whether you walk, wheel, take public transport, reducing car use is great for the environment and your health.Map out a car-free route to work/ university and give it a go! Keep an eye on our World Car Free Day events page to find out how Newcastle University are getting involved.

Tip: Cycle in and use our Dr Bike services at Bike Week for free minor repairs!

Recycle Week: 22nd – 28th September

Run by Recycle Now, this national campaign reminds us all to keep recycling correctly. It’s a great time to brush up on what can and can’t go in your recycling bin, and to explore local recycling services.

Tip: Check out our waste A-Z to see what can be recycled on campus.

Great British Beach Clean: 19th – 28th September

Organised by the Marine Conservation Society, the Great British Beach Clean is more than just a litter picking event. Volunteers record the types of litter they find to help push for policy change. There data has helped to make positive change, including the introduction of the plastic bag charge, banning microplastics in personal care products, better wet wipe labelling, and supporting a tax on single-use plastic items.

Tip: Find a local clean-up event or organise your own with friends and family.

Photo: Great British Beach Clean

Sustainable September is a perfect time to pause, reflect, and act. Which of these events will you take part in?

More awareness days:

Happy International Bog Day!

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Today, we’re celebrating one of the world’s most overlooked yet vital ecosystems – peatlands! Whether it’s bogs, fens, swamps, or marshes, these incredible landscapes play a crucial role in the fight against climate change, biodiversity loss, and water pollution.

Although peatlands cover just 3% of the Earth’s surface, they are the largest terrestrial carbon store on the planet, holding an estimated 550 gigatons of carbon, more than all the world’s forests combined. Read on to discover what makes peatlands so special, the benefits they offer, and how we can all help to protect them.

What are Peatlands?

Peatlands (or bogs) are areas of wetland with thick layers of decomposed vegetation stored in their soils, and 1 metre of peat takes around 1,000 years to build!

 There are three broad peatland types in the UK:

  • Blanket bog – typically found in the uplands, fed by rainfall. Nutrient poor and acidic.
  • Raised bog – localised domes, common in lowland areas. Rain fed, nutrient poor and acidic.
  • Fen – fed by rain and groundwater sources, so differing pH levels from base rich to base poor.

In the North East we have some great examples of peatlands, such as Cuthbert’s Moor in the heart of the Durham Dales and the Border Mires blanket bog next to Kielder Forest.

 Cuthberts Moor (Photo: Durham Wildlife Trust)

Benefits of peatlands

Peatlands provide a host of benefits, known as “ecosystem services”, to society. Some of the ecosystem services that peatlands provide include carbon storage, drinking water filtration, flood prevention, wildlife habitats, grazing land and recreational areas.  Although in the UK, due to the way peatlands have been managed, peatlands are estimated to be a net source of greenhouse gas emissions i.e. they release more CO2 into the atmosphere than they store.

This damaged peat is often referred to as “wasted peat.”

Protecting Peatlands

Peatlands are under threat, but through restoration, better land management, and community awareness, we can work to restore these amazing landscapes.

The UK government has pledged up to £400 million for nature restoration, including efforts to restore peatlands. There are also consultations underway to extend the ban on burning deep peat, a practice that releases emissions and causes habitat loss.

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:

“Our peatlands are this country’s Amazon Rainforest and in desperate need of restoration and protection, as this mapping and research work starkly demonstrates. That is why we have announced up to £400m for nature restoration, including of our peatlands, and are consulting on new plans to extend the ban on burning deep peat. This government, as part of our Plan for Change, are committed to expanding nature-rich habitats and turning the tide on nature’s decline after years of neglect.”

Further information

UK Peat Map

About Peatlands | IUCN UK Peatland Programme

Plastic Free July 2025!

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Plastic pollution poses a worldwide challenge, with 400 million tons of plastic produced each year, and this number is predicted to triple by 2060 (UNEP, 2025). It is estimated that UK households throw away a staggering 1.7 billion pieces of plastic packaging a week (Big Plastic Count, 2024).

Plastic is a highly durable material; therefore, it rarely completely disappears once out in the environment, it will instead take many years to break down into smaller pieces or microplastic. Plastic pollution is causing harm to marine life, the climate and humans across the world.

Plastic Free July is a challenge created by the Plastic Free Foundation that aims to help people begin or continue their journey to reduce their use of single use plastic. The beginning of the journey to reduce single use plastic as an individual or family can be daunting, so here are some tips on where you can begin:

Tips on how to reduce single use plastic in your everyday life:  

  • Travel cup: By carrying a travel cup with you every day, you can remove the need for single use coffee cups when you buy coffee out and about. Some coffee cups are now designed to be collapsible, so they take up less room in your bag. 
  • Water bottle: Instead of buying water in a single use plastic bottle, you can carry a reusable water bottle with you and fill it up from a tap when you are on the go, at school or at work. 
  • A great way to reduce plastic packaging is by buying dry food products such as rice, pasta, and spices from refill shops, check out some local refill shops in our blog.
  • Invest in a re-useable cutlery set to carry for your meals on the go, some even come with a reusable straw, you could even just bring your home cutlery in your bag if you don’t want to buy a travel set! 
  • Reuse what you already own as much as you can, for example do you have plastic takeaway containers that can be used as a lunch box instead of buying a new plastic lunchbox? 
  • Do some research into what food products that you consume may contain traces of plastic, such as tea bags and chewing gum and look for alternatives such as loose tea.  

Resources to help you with your journey to plastic free: 

Climate Ambassadors Northeast Hub 

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Are you passionate about the environment and climate change? Sign up to become a climate ambassador! 

Funded by a £2 million investment from the Department for Education, the Climate Ambassador programme is delivered in partnership with the University of Reading, EAUC (the Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education), and supported by STEM Learning.  

The programme exists to support nurseries, schools, colleges, and universities in England to develop and implement Climate Action Plans (CAPs) – enabling all education settings to have a CAP in place by the end of 2025. 

What is a Climate Ambassador? 

A Climate Ambassador is a volunteer from any background who is passionate about taking action against climate change and making a positive difference in their local schools, communities, and to the planet! You don’t need to be a climate expert to be an ambassador – training and ongoing support are provided. Ambassadors help raise awareness, inspire others, and lead by example, promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. 

As a Climate Ambassador you will have flexibility as to what support you give and how much time you contribute but this includes the opportunity to: 

  • Promote climate action and sustainability across education through collaboration, leadership, and engagement. 
  • Co-develop and implement effective Climate Action Plans (CAPs) with schools and local communities. 
  • Lead eco-initiatives and educational campaigns that inspire participation and long-term behaviour change. 
  • Share insights, experiences and best practices within the network. 

The Northeast Hub 

To support the programme, regional hubs in each of England’s education regions have been set up so that volunteer ambassadors can be matched with education settings in their area. The Northeast Hub is hosted by Newcastle University and led by  Dr Stephen Blenkinsop  and  Professor Hayley Fowler. 

“The Northeast Climate Ambassadors Hub hosted by Newcastle University is excited to be able to draw on the expertise and passion people across our region have for addressing the challenges of climate change. Volunteer ambassadors as well as nurseries, schools and colleges interested in getting support can find out more about all the help the scheme provides from the regional hub at climateambassadors.ne@newcastle.ac.uk.” 

Dr Stephen Blenkinsop 

Sign up now! 

If you are interested in getting involved with the Climate Ambassadors scheme, you can find out more here or sign up here! Volunteers will be provided with free training and support, and be matched to a local nursery, school or college that needs help creating a climate action plan.  

Bike Maintenance: Handy tips to keep your wheels on the road 

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We’ve all been there – the sun’s shining, you’ve got your cycling clothes on, water bottle filled, ready to hit the road…only to discover an issue with your bike. Whether it’s a flat tyre, faulty brakes, or grinding gears, we’ve teamed up with our friends at WATBike to share some simple maintenance tips that’ll keep your bike in a roadworthy condition. 

1. Bike storage 

Where you store your bike matters. Storing your bike in a safe place is not only important for security reasons, but it can also help keep your bike in good condition. Leaving a bike outside for extended periods (such as in a garden/backyard over winter) will expose your bike to the elements which, over time, will cause the parts to corrode and eventually lead to failure of the gears, brakes etc. 

Tips for smart storage:

2. Tyres

Your tyres are a critical component of your bike’s performance and safety. Maintaining the correct tyre pressure and regularly checking their condition is vital!

Tyre care tips:

  • Check tyre pressure regularly, ensuring the PSI is at the required level (these can be found on the tyre wall).  Ensuring the correct pressure helps to prevent punctures. 
  • Keep a small hand pump with you to ensure you can always pump your tyres. Or you can use the University cycle repair stand near Hatton Gallery (location shown in our map). This stand is equipped with allen keys, screwdrivers, spanners, adjustable fit bike pump and a tyre iron.
  • Inspect your tyres for cracks or holes – replace tyres if they’re showing serious wear.

3. Bike Cleaning

Regular bike cleaning will prevent rust and corrosion, helping your bike parts last longer and be more effective.

Cleaning checklist:

  • Use a hose (light pressure!) to rinse off loose dirt.
  • Scrub with bike-friendly brushes, especially around the chain and cassette (gears). It is also important to keep the braking surface of your wheels clean and dry.   
  • Check out this 5-minute bike wash tutorial on YouTube, or if a deeper clean is needed, this 30-minute bike wash tutorial.

4. Chain Care

One of the easiest and most effective maintenance tasks: lubricating your chain. It ensures a smoother ride with less clunking when changing gears and extends your bike chains lifespan. There are two main types of chain lubricant; wet and dry, and it depends on the type of riding you do and the time of year as to which lubricant you should use.  

Choosing the right chain lube:

Dry lube: Best for people who mainly ride on roads. It’s thinner and won’t pick up as much dust in the summer.

Wet lube: Designed for wet, muddy conditions. It is thicker than dry lube, which helps it repel water and keep your chain lubricated. 

If you’re not sure which to use, ask at a local bike shop, or at our regular Dr Bike sessions.

5. Loose parts 

If something on your bike feels loose (especially pedals) – don’t ride it! Bring it to a Dr Bike session or bike repair shop straight away. A quick tweak when a problem first arises can save big mechanical issues in the future if you leave it unresolved.

Maintenance at Dr Bike

If you require more help with bike maintenance, our regular Dr Bike sessions on campus are a great place to start. Whether it’s a quick fix or a maintenance question, expert advice is always on hand.  WATBike are here every two weeks throughout the year and are happy to help.

We’re also excited to announce Bike Week, taking place at The Boiler House from Monday 12th to Wednesday 14th May, in partnership with WATBike and supported by Cycling UK.

During Bike Week, Bike technicians will be available on campus from 10:00-14:00 each day to provide more detailed support on how to maintain your bike, with guidance and advice from the team at WATBike. There will also be a sale of lovingly refurbished bikes across a range of styles and sizes across the event. Buying second hand is not only great for your wallet, but also for the planet!

Useful Links:

Reflecting on the Women in Sustainability Careers Exploration Workshop

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Last week, on Monday the 10th of March, the inaugural Women in Sustainability Careers Exploration Workshop took place, in partnership with the official Women in Sustainability Network. Over 35 students were able to reflect, learn and be inspired to explore careers in sustainability-related roles, coached by experts in the field.

At Newcastle University, we support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – seeking peace and prosperity for all people and the planet now and in the future. The UN SDG group recognise that without the full participation and leadership of women and girls, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals will be an impossible task (UNSDG website, 2025).

“Women and girls deserve a seat at every table, a voice in every decision, and an equal chance to shape what lies ahead.”

– Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group

Read on to explore the valuable advice shared by our panellists and to learn about the students’ thoughts and reflections on the event.

The Event

The event was opened by Charlotte and Cristina – two placement students from the Sustainability Team, before handing over to Jenny Davidson. Jenny is a Visiting Fellow at Newcastle University having previously been a Senior Lecturer in the Business School, Climate Change Fellow in School X and Chair of the University’s Sustainability Committee. Jenny chaired the panel session with four inspiring sustainability experts from a variety of fields.

The Panel:

The panellists discussed their passions, career backgrounds, and current topics they deemed most relevant in their roles. Here are some key takeaways from the panel session:

  • There is not one route into sustainability, and each of our experts studied a variety of subjects at university including languages, geology and environmental management. Working towards a more sustainable world is a group task, and people from all work fields need to get involved. Each panellist had a different interest within sustainability, from teaching and research to consulting.
  • Experience and perseverance are key! Hannah from AECOM shared that after graduating she had a variety of jobs before landing her graduate sustainability consultant job. Sometimes it’s easy to compare yourself to others, but everyone’s journey is different!
  • You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do at the start of your career. You can find your passions as you gain more experience in the field and find your speciality.

After the panel session, our experts each joined a breakout table of students, where conversation menus guided the discussions. This format created a relaxed and safe space for students to ask questions, share ideas and reflect on their own aspirations and attributes.

Hannah, a Sustainability Consultant at AECOM, shared valuable advice with the students: “Utilise all the additional (most of the time – free!) services that the university provides to you throughout your studies e.g. dissertation/essay writing services, and these often offer the opportunity for you to work on your thesis with an extra professional who may be a specialist in academic writing – I found this really useful when completing my master’s dissertation”.

Reflecting on the event, Meryl Batchelder, TeachSDGs Ambassador and United Nations-accredited Climate Change Teacher, said, ““It really was a fantastic gathering of young students. I loved talking with them about their hopes (and fears) for the future alongside sharing my lived experience.”

The students were also given a handy “earnings and action plan” sheet where they could record learnings, and tick off actions, such as ‘make one new LinkedIn connection’. The back of the sheet listed a variety of helpful websites and networks to search after the workshop.

The feedback from students has been glowing, highlighting the value of bringing experts from industry into students’ learning.

 “I learnt much more than I anticipated. I learnt about so many different backgrounds and different career opportunities. It was amazing to hear such strong, smart women describing their experiences and careers and how they utilised their own failures and got where they are today. I came away feeling brave and strong being a female scientist.”

“I really enjoyed the whole event, and the environment was really friendly and open to discussion. [I learnt] there is no set route into the sustainability industry, but it is important to show your enthusiasm for the subject and follow a career that you feel rewarded in.”

“There’s no right or wrong route to working in sustainability. Say yes to as many opportunities as possible and don’t be afraid to stick to your principles.”

Thank you to Meryl Batchelder​, Olivia Partington​, Hannah Shepherd​ and Hayley Fowler​ for inspiring and talking to our students. A big thank you to Toby Price for putting the event together, and Jenny Davidson for chairing.

References

Unsdg | A World for All Women and Girls

Sustainability Communications Placement: Interviewing Charlotte and Cristina

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Cristina and Charlotte have been our Sustainability Communications Placements this year and have just hit the six-month mark of their time with us. Over the past few months, they’ve contributed to various projects and learned a great deal along the way. We sat down with them to reflect on their experiences in the role so far, to hear about the skills they’ve developed, and to find out what they’ve enjoyed most about working with the team.

So, tell me a bit about your journey that led you to apply to this role?

Charlotte Epton (CE): I came to Newcastle University to study Environmental Science and then stayed to finish my masters in Clean Technology. Whilst my degree was sustainability focused, I didn’t have much work experience outside the lab and wanted to get some more practical experience in the sector. I also loved Newcastle as a city and my time at university, so this placement seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to learn more about sustainability in a large organisation.

Cristina Latuff (CL): Ihad just finished my first two years of undergraduate Geography at Loughborough University and was in search of a placement that combined my passion for sustainability, with my long-standing hobby of media production. This job is just that! I previously worked in content creation and social media management, so I have some experience in designing eye-catching graphics and creating student-facing videos.

Since joining the team, has there been any aspects have you enjoyed the most?

CE: I really enjoy how much variety the role has, we have worked on projects relating to energy, water, waste, and biodiversity, so no two days are the same! I also have particularly enjoyed developing promotional materials for the teams’ events and initiatives, from posters, to videos, and web editing. This is not something I had much experience in before, so it has been a challenge to get a bit more creative. I have also really enjoyed learning about the renewable energy projects on campus and going up on the roofs to see the solar panels was a highlight.

CL: One of my favourite aspects of the job so far has been learning about the energy management side of the University. It has been fascinating to get an overview of how the building management system works, seeing how each building has its own complex network of heating and ventilation units. I also loved the opportunity to plan and produce the Estates and Facilities contractor induction video and the promotional videos we made for Internal Communications – the perfect excuse to use Adobe Premiere Pro and jump in front of a camera!

Have you been able to hone any new skills this year? And do you feel like this role has introduced you to the sustainability sector?

CE: Absolutely! I feel like I have learnt a lot since joining the team. We have received specialist training in a variety of skills, one example being web page editing which we have used to re-design the University’s Travel pages, making them more accessible and engaging. We have also received training in energy management and BMS, skills we utilise to complete the monthly recharges and room heating extensions. Additionally, I believe working in the team has improved my overall confidence and my ability to collaborate with others, which has been useful in advertising content across the university.

CL: One of the main skills Charlotte and I have homed in on is networking with the University community. We are constantly interacting with students at career fairs, like Planet Connect, getting an insight on their interesting research projects and opinions on sustainability topics. We’ve also worked with an array of colleague teams including Capital, Staff Wellbeing, Internal Communications, Central Social Media, ResLife, Catering and the Student Union. It’s great to see so many colleagues are keen on promoting our work, and collaborating, e.g. the Staff Wellbeing Team giving us our own Sustainability spotlight on the monthly newsletter.

How have you found working for the University, and in Estates and Facilities especially?

CE: Everyone in the office is so friendly, and the open plan office means we can chat and get to know colleagues across Estates and Facilities. The sustainability team are very welcoming and It’s great to work with like-minded people who are passionate about sustainability.

CL: Working in Estates has been a great environment, especially for my first office job ever. The rotating seating plan has been a great way to chat to different people and learn some Geordie slang. Everyone is so friendly and is quick to give me restaurant recommendations, and weekend plan ideas. Estates were also very supportive of our bake sale to raise money for the National Hedgehog Preservation Society. Many people brought delicious bakes and helped us raise over £200 for the cause!

What are you looking forward to doing in the role in the upcoming few months?

CE: I’m excited about the opportunity to shadow different colleagues during the auditing season in April. It will be a great chance to learn more about the internal audit process and develop new skills. I’m also looking forward to creating content around green spaces on campus and across Newcastle, especially with the weather getting nicer and the sun starting to come out more!

CL: I’m really looking forward to the month of May, with events like National Hedgehog Awareness Week and World Bee Day. Seeing campus flourish with wildflowers and wildlife will be great for promoting biodiversity initiatives. We’re planning on making some exciting nature video content so watch this space!

What do you hope the future holds for you both?

CE: I would love to stay in the sustainability and environmental sector, as I’ve really enjoyed working with people who are just as passionate as me. In my spare time, I’m working with some academics within the University on publishing my thesis research on carbon capture, so hopefully that project will be finished this year!

CL: Well, I have to go finish University first of course! I’m currently planning my dissertation for final year, looking at redesigning sportswear to fit a circular economy model. I’ve always been interested in garment construction, having been sewing since the age of four. Although it may sound niche, I would love to pursue a career in sustainable textile manufacturing and am looking at the possibility of doing a Masters in London around this.

Thank you to everyone in the Sustainability Team who have made these last six months so enjoyable and educational for us both! We’re excited for what’s still to come and can’t wait to continue working with the team as we help drive sustainability initiatives forward. Thanks for following along, and we look forward to sharing more with you soon! If you have any questions about the work we do, email us at sustainable-campus@ncl.ac.uk.

Thanks for reading!