Education

Our work to embed sustainability into the curriculum supports the University's Citizen Student strategy of wanting to empower our students to become engaged citizens with the confidence to act for a more sustainable future in an increasingly uncertain world.

Embedding Sustainability

The Sustainability team supports delivery of sustainability sessions within various modules across a range of disciplines. This ranges from an introduction to what the team do, exploring the impact of day-to-day choices on our carbon footprint and the sustainability of digital marketing. Some examples of how sustainability has been embedded within teaching are detailed below:

Chester Business School

The Chester Business School has integrated Carbon Literacy training into a number of their modules. In November 2024, the team's Sustainability Engagement Coordinator was invited to facilitate a COP simulation session as part of their 'Critical Perspectives of Sustainability', which focused on the economic and social barriers that may be faced when developing strategies around the UN's Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).

Geography and International Development Studies

Each year, the Sustainability team offers projects for students taking Sustainable Futures module in their final year. Students apply theories of sustainability to real-life projects at the University or in the wider community. In 2025 two groups focused on waste streams within university accommodation and transport behaviours and options for staff and students travelling to the University.

Performing Arts/Art & Design

In 2025 a MA Performing Arts student put together their '(Un)Natural Distasters' production, which showcased how climate change can have consequences on an individual, local and global scale. The student worked with the University's Sustainability Engagement Coordinator to source recycled materials to create their sustainable puppet, Natura. As part of the project, Natura (the puppet) took her first walk through Grosvenor Park, before following her final journey through the University's Kingsway site in subsequent months.

Work Based Learning

Each year, we host students on their five-week Work Based Learning (WBL) placement. In 2024 we hosted two students to work on the creation of a clothes swap initiative as a way to reduce waste. This project saw the introduction of Chester’s on-site swap shop, designed to help students and staff access affordable, good-conditioned "pre loved" clothing and fancy-dress costumes. Held every 2-3 months, the swap shop offers a happier, inclusive and more sustainable experience. In 2024-25 the project saved 393 items of clothing form landfill alone.

 

To discuss how we can support teaching and embedding sustainability, and to access copies of past presentations, please email sustainability@chester.ac.uk.

 

Researching sustainability

The University of Chester is committed to the creation and exchange of knowledge that is:

• Significant and ethical.
• Has a recognised impact.
• Supports excellence.

Chester also has the goal of creating an enriching vibrant academic community for students and staff and, through:

• Co-creation, co-production and co-development with stakeholders.
• Creating opportunities for developing sustainable cultures and communities.

As part of its research strategy, a number of Research and Knowledge Exchange Institutes were formed to support interdisciplinary working including the Sustainability and Environment Research and Knowledge Exchange Institute (SERKEI).

We see our learning sites as a living-lab, supporting students in their learning and skills development. Recently, a final year BSc Forensic Science student conducted a research project that looked to reduce laboratory waste. This project is an example of how student research has the potential to directly influence and impact working practices at the University.

 

Chester Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN)

Chester Youth Climate Action Network (Chester Youth CAN) is a group of young adults with a passion to create positive impacts.

They have three core aims: 

• To help educate children and young people on environmental issues and help facilitate discussions around green skills and careers.  
• To connect sustainability-conscious regional businesses and the local authority with a likeminded younger generation, focusing jointly on creating a greener, more prosperous future for Chester.  
• To be an active and engaging presence at environment-focused events in Chester and the surrounding areas.    

The group has delivered the Youth Conference Day at the Chester Green Expo. Workshops, delivered to students from year 7 to 9, addressed the urgent climate and nature crisis, specifically focusing on biodiversity, energy, home, travel and waste. During a panel discussion with event sponsors, they considered the careers young people want to be available to them, to adopt both sustainable lives and livelihoods.

You can keep up to date with the group by following them on Instagram.