Dr Jane Davidson established INSPIRE in 2012 to lead a system-based approach throughout UWTSD to deliver educational pathways promoting learning, environmental and social responsibility meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Through INSPIRE, the whole university’s operations are now subject to Key Performance Indicators to measure progress on changing its culture, campuses, curriculum and its relationships with communities.
Prior to establishing INSPIRE in 2012, UWTSD had no previous history of involvement in sustainability. Now, three years on, INSPIRE has won the Guardian Award for Sustainability in HE in 2013, the Soil Association Gold Catering Mark for its support for local producers in 2014 – and in 2015, UWTSD rose from 113th in the UK and a 3rd class degree, to a 1st class degree and 8th in UK and 1st in Wales in the People and Planet University League.
Top 3 learnings
1 There needs to be university wide commitment from the governors, staff and students to effect systemic change
2 There need to be metrics to measure the success of the initiative that work within the culture of the university and enable regular reporting at key meetings e.g. Senate, University Council, Senior Directorate and Senior Management Team
3 There need to be opportunities for staff and students to re-interpret the commitments in their own discipline settings.