UWE Bristol’s MAKERS project has been recognised with a Staff Award in the Sustainability category, celebrating its impactful work to improve diversity and inclusion in engineering while tackling the climate and ecological emergency. This recognition highlights the project’s contributions to fostering a sense of belonging among diverse engineering students and supporting sustainability in partnership with local communities.
MAKERS: A Hub for Connection, Creativity, and Sustainability
MAKERS, which stands for Making And Knowledge Exchange for Repair & Sustainability, bridges the gap between diverse engineering students at UWE Bristol and the local Maker and Repair communities in the West of England. With nearly £90,000 in funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity Impact Programme, the project has developed a series of co-creation workshops that address multiple challenges:
- Belonging and inclusion: MAKERS provides students—especially women and individuals from minority backgrounds—with a welcoming environment to collaborate and grow as engineers.
- Skill-building and employability: Students enhance their practical and professional skills, working alongside experienced community mentors and STEM industry professionals.
- Sustainability: Through repair workshops and hands-on activities, students and community members contribute to reducing waste, preventing 303kg of waste from reaching landfill, and avoiding 2 tons of CO2 emissions.
The project embodies UWE Bristol’s commitment to sustainability while making tangible strides in improving diversity within STEM fields.
The Impact of MAKERS
Since its launch in 2023, MAKERS has delivered significant outcomes:
- Increased diversity: 32% of regular student participants are women (compared to 16% in engineering nationally), and 77% come from Global Majority backgrounds.
- Community engagement: MAKERS collaborated with 17 organisations and hosted repair and making workshops for over 70 community members.
- Ongoing opportunities: A monthly Repair Café on UWE’s Frenchay Campus invites community members to bring broken items to repair, fostering hands-on learning and collaboration between students and community volunteers.
The project also connects students with STEM Ambassadors and retired engineers from the Bristol Repair Café network, providing invaluable mentoring opportunities.
Rewarding Engagement and Growth
MAKERS participants not only contribute to sustainability but also gain professional and personal benefits:
- Networking opportunities: Students collaborate with industry professionals and community members, creating lasting connections.
- Skill recognition: Participants earn digital skills badges (bronze, silver, or gold) to showcase their expertise on LinkedIn and other platforms.
- Practical tools: After attending five events, students receive repair kits or vouchers to continue their sustainability efforts at home.
In addition, students have access to cutting-edge resources, including 3D printing facilities, sewing machines, and technician support to work on personal and community-focused repair projects.
Looking Ahead
The MAKERS project’s success is being recognised on multiple levels. It has been shortlisted for the prestigious Green Gown Awards in the Benefitting Society category and featured at conferences such as the International Symposium on Academic Maker Spaces and Science in Public. With plans to publish findings in academic journals, the team aims to further contribute to research on diversity in STEM education and sustainability practices.
This award is a testament to the MAKERS project’s ability to weave sustainability, skill development, and community into a meaningful initiative that transforms lives while addressing global challenges.
The MAKERS Team are continuing to develop the evaluation. You can find some of the outcomes so far in the following publications:
MAKERS poster Can a student-led Repair Café develop a sense of belonging and provide hands-on experiences for engineering students?
MAKERS Report Making and knowledge exchange for repair and sustainability