Wednesday 18-04-2018 - 12:11

Last month we were joined by 15 staff with sustainability remits across FE and HE unions to launch a new Professional Development Network for the movement.

For the last 12 years we’ve been working with students’ unions to tackle sustainability issues both on campus and in wider society. Over this time, we’ve seen sustainability move from being a niche issue to a key priority in the movement.

Students’ union staff have played a crucial role in supporting this transition - often leading on practical environmental improvements through GISU, and helping elected officers and the student community to create change across their institutions through supporting work such as divestment campaigns.

The new network will bring together students’ union staff with sustainability remits; encouraging collaboration, enhancing peer support and providing support towards career progression. It’s open to all students’ union staff who deliver sustainability work as part of their roles.

To launch the network, we held a two-day residential bringing together 15 staff from across the UK. The event gave attendees the chance to shape the future and direction of the Professional Development Network, and to generate ideas on how the movement can better collaborate on sustainability projects and campaigns.

Mark Spence, Sustainability Coordinator at Staffordshire University Students' Union, said: “It’s great meeting students’ union staff working on the same aim. Not only will the Professional Development Network help connect union staff, it will help to bring better outcomes for NUS, students’ unions, students and the environment. Shared experiences have already proven a great way to problem-solve and develop my work at Staffs. I look forward to seeing the network develop and the shared work we will do.”

This work is underpinned by the NUS 100 framework, in which one of the key areas focuses on attracting and retaining outstanding people.

If you have any questions or would like to join the network, please contact the NUS Sustainability team sustainability@nus.org.uk