Green Gown Awards 2020 - STAFF - Dr Amanda Slevin, Queen’s University Belfast - Highly Commend

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sustainability Champion - STAFF - Dr Amanda Slevin, Queen’s University Belfast

When I joined Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), I identified a clear need for innovative approaches to teaching, learning, research, and public engagement on pressing socio-ecological issues.  

Since 2018, I have instigated key partnerships with peers, students and civil society groups to co-design and deliver impactful sustainability projects within and beyond the University.  

Far exceeding requirements of my fixed term employment, my efforts as a sustainability champion concentrate on three distinct strands which produce wide-ranging benefits: 1. New formal teaching and learning initiatives (e.g. initiating QUB’s first interdisciplinary module on sustainability, climate change and just transition); 2. Innovations in non-formal teaching, learning and public engagement (incl. ‘Creating our Vision for a Greener Future’, an exciting staff-student collaboration with benefits for QUB and wider society) and 3. Activities to advance sustainability and climate action research and practice (I am PI for ‘Pathways for Sustainability’ research and I chair the multi-stakeholder Climate Coalition NI). 

Top 3 learnings:

1. Make time to connect with similarly enthusiastic people, willing to collaborate and co-create new initiatives. 
2. My passion for sustainability and climate action keeps me motivated even when experiencing difficult challenges. 
3. Multi-level change takes time and effort – maintain hope that together we can change the world! 

Videos

• Video #1 (click to hide)