Submitted by Susannah Cook on Wed, 2022-12-14 09:08
Turn talk into action!
Engage for Change (EfC) is a twelve-week programme for students at the University of Cambridge who want to learn how to make change happen. You will design, implement and evaluate your own environmental sustainability-related intervention, aligned with the University's Environmental Sustainability Vision, Policy and Strategy.
The programme will be delivered virtually and in person, between October 2022- July 2023 in three intakes. If you would like to find out more about the schedule of each cohort please have a look through the Engage for Change Application Pack.
Current Intakes:
- Cohort 2 January 2023 - April 2023
- Cohort 3 (PhD Only) June 2023
If you’d like to register your interest for the third intake, for PhD students only, please use this form to be emailed once the applications open.
Engage for Change is sponsored by Cambridge Zero and the Sustainability Team at the University of Cambridge.
Are you:
- Feeling the urgency to get involved in environmental action but not sure how?
- Looking for something your course doesn’t offer?
- Looking for ways to make a more positive environmental impact?
- Looking to work in green sector jobs?
Want to:
- Gain transferable skills to improve your effectiveness and impact?
- Lead and facilitate positive change?
- Improve your ability to understand and tackle environmental challenges?
- Engage the disengaged, working in your department and across the University?
- Put your skills into action, through iterative design, implementation and reflection?
Our programme covers all the above, with a focus on listening and communicating for positive impact, Action-Experiment Cycles, strategic change-making, advocacy and influencing, and effective real-world monitoring and evaluation. These are all skills that you can use for social change-making, but which are also directly applicable to a range of future careers.
Who can apply?
We're looking for self-motivated individuals with initiative and interest in the environment, who want to explore and implement innovative solutions to sustainability challenges. You don't need any specific experience to take part.
Who's running it?
Cambridge Hub, the centre of student social action in Cambridge, delivers the programme, with the kind support of The Sustainability Team and Cambridge Zero, who are key players in driving the environmental transformation of the University. EfC will be running for the 11th time in Michaelmas 2022, after a number of successful and impactful cohorts, which have led to numerous ongoing projects. Initiatives have covered a broad range of topics such as food waste, green transport, energy consumption, and education.
The programme is open to all current students and postdocs at the University of Cambridge, whatever your subject or experience. You will receive training and support to help you develop the skills needed to meet the challenge.
How much time commitment is expected?
Based upon the experience of previous candidates, to get the most out of the programme you will need to contribute at least 4 hours a week, which includes 1.5 hours of online training and half an hour to meet with your team.
Before you apply, consider whether you are able to commit the amount of time needed to get the most out of the programme. If you’d like to have a more in depth chat about this, please email manager@cambridgehub.org with any questions.
What projects can you develop?
Engage for Change has been running since 2018 and we have had over 150 students graduate from the programme. This is the list of all proposed projects. Your project will be individual, allowing you to develop a vast set of skills, but you will have a team of like-minded peers to support you throughout.
During the first weeks of the programme, we will support you in having conversations with key University staff ahead of agreeing any project to ascertain their capacity to support you. This collaboration allows for projects to have a longer lasting effect.
Here are some ideas of projects you can explore:
- Survey staff and/or students about curriculum and sustainability at your University department.
- Organise awareness campaigns or events through diverse platforms (e.g. sustainability podcast, app, online seminar).
- Explore how to implement composting in your College (e.g. through meetings with staff and surveys with students).
- Survey departments/Colleges on willingness to change behaviour.
- Analyse energy records.
- Liaise with building managers to ask about what works are planned.
Key dates
Deadline for applying: Monday 23rd January Interviews: Rolling from Monday 9th January until capacity is reached
Programme Start: W/C 30th January Programme End: W/C 26th April
You will be expected to attend a 1.5 hours training delivered by Cambridge Hub each week and to meet with your team to discuss your individual project.
How can I apply?
You can apply via this form. Please provide us with comprehensive answers to increase your chances of being selected to interview. We will be conducting interviews on a rolling basis, so we may get back to you quickly after you apply. As part of the application form, you will be asked to specify your preferred time to attend the training sessions. You will also be asked about the environmental issue you would like to tackle during the programme. Keep in mind that you can change this during the programme if needed. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact manager@cambridgehub.org.
Accessibility
Cambridge Hub is committed to making our activities inclusive to all students. We can make reasonable adjustments to the application processes, sessions and other activities on a case-by-case basis. We also provide ongoing support for the students we work with, so if you have particular accessibility needs, including special educational needs, please write to manager@cambridgehub.org and let us know how we can make the activity more accessible.
Written by: Toby Pallat, Manager Cambridge Hub