Author: katcorbett

South West Schools Sustainability Gathering to take place at UWE Bristol this July

Author katcorbett | Posted on

Schools and Trusts across the region will come together on Thursday 2 July for the first in‑person South West Schools Sustainability Gathering, hosted at UWE Bristol’s Frenchay Campus. The event is part of a growing regional effort to accelerate climate and nature action in education settings and strengthen collaboration between schools and sustainability support providers.

The Gathering is convened by the South West Sustainability Network, led by Corinium Education Trust, and brings together partners including Let’s Go Zero, Climate Ambassadors, and a wide range of organisations working to support schools on their sustainability journeys. As the South West Climate Ambassador Hub Lead, UWE Bristol is partnering with the network to enable deeper exchange, shared learning, and practical action.

Schools across the South West are increasingly developing Climate Action Plans, yet many face similar challenges: limited capacity, fragmented support offers, and the need for clear, practical guidance. This event aims to address those challenges by creating a space where school sustainability leads can learn from one another and connect with the organisations best placed to support them.

Objectives

  1. Support schools to develop and implement their Climate Action Plan.
  2. Bring together the ecosystem of providers to enable a joined‑up approach to sustainability support.
  3. Share best practice for climate and nature action in education settings.
  4. Enable accelerated climate and nature action in communities through connected education programmes.

Event details

Thursday 2 July UWE Bristol Frenchay Campus Z Block, School of Engineering

12:30–13:30

Lunch and Networking Atrium, Z Block

13:30–15:00

Welcome to the Gathering Presentations from sustainability providers including:

  • South West Sustainability Network
  • Climate Ambassadors
  • Let’s Go Zero
  • National Education Nature Park
  • Green Schools Project
  • Ministry of Eco Education
  • West of England Primary STEM Network – Inspire Green Futures
  • Careers Hubs

15:00

Break

15:15–16:00

Accelerated Climate and Nature Action A discussion session led by the Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership

16:00–17:00

Hybrid Session – School‑Level Audit and Action Planning Guidance and dedicated time for school leaders to complete a baseline audit and action plan for their setting, led by the South West Schools Sustainability Network.

17:00

Networking

Registration

Attendance is free. Schools and Trusts across the region are warmly invited to join.

Register here

UWE Bristol to host People’s Emergency Briefing screenings this May

Author katcorbett | Posted on

This May, UWE Bristol will host two screenings of the National Emergency Briefing film, inviting business leaders, staff, students and local residents to engage with the latest evidence on the climate and nature crisis. These events aim to support informed, constructive conversations about the scale of the challenge and the urgent actions needed to secure a better future for our region.

The National Emergency Briefing brings together leading scientific voices to present a clear and measured overview of how the climate and nature crisis is already affecting everyday life in the United Kingdom. First delivered to politicians and influential figures in Westminster in November 2025, the evidence is now publicly available. It reveals a crisis that is more serious and immediate than many people realise.

The film combines authoritative scientific content with personal reactions from members of the public and familiar voices. It sets out the risks facing every constituency, including impacts on health, food systems, infrastructure, security and economic stability. It also highlights the significant benefits of bold and urgent government action, offering a pathway to a safer and fairer future.

The initiative is supported by organisations such as the National Trust, the Church of England, Exeter University, the Royal Meteorological Society, WWF and the National Education Union. It is explicitly non-partisan and aims to foster informed democratic discussion so that Parliament and the public share a common understanding of the scale and urgency of this challenge.

Event 1: Business Leaders Screening

Friday 15 May, UWE Bristol Frenchay Campus, Bristol Business School

This session is designed for business leaders across the West of England who want to understand how the climate and nature crisis will shape the operating environment for organisations in our region.

Schedule

  • 8.30 am: Business breakfast and refreshments (Room 3X110)
  • 9.00 am: Film screening (45 minutes, Room 2X242)
  • 9.45 am: Panel discussion (45 minutes)
  • 10.30 am: Networking
  • 11.00 am: Close

The panel will explore what the evidence means for businesses locally, including risks, responsibilities and opportunities for leadership. Speakers include:

  • Luke McCullough, Senior Public Policy Manager at Aviva
  • Professor Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the National Heat Risk Commission and former Chair of the London Climate Resilience Review commissioned by the Mayor of London

Register for the Business Leaders event

Event 2: Community Screening

Monday 18 May, Bristol Business School, Room 2X112, UWE Bristol Frenchay Campus

This community screening is open to staff, students and local residents who want to understand the latest evidence and explore what it means for our shared future.

Schedule

  • 12.00 pm: Film screening (50 minutes)
  • 12.50 pm: Panel discussion (40 minutes)
  • 1.30 pm: Close

The panel will bring together UWE Bristol experts whose work spans climate action, circular economy and community wellbeing:

  • Kirsti Norris, Head of Carbon and Energy, UWE Bristol
  • Roger Griffiths, Associate Lecturer UWE Bristol, Author and CEO of Creative Connex
  • Dr Miles Thompson, Associate Professor in Psychology, UWE Bristol
  • Dr Ben Williams, Senior Research Fellow: Air Quality Management Resource Centre
  • Kat Corbett, Head of Circular Economy, UWE Bristol

About the community discussion

Each screening is followed by a structured and locally focused conversation. These discussions are designed to be constructive and solution oriented, helping people process the information emotionally and engage meaningfully. By bringing communities and decision-makers together around the same evidence, the programme aims to spark informed dialogue at both local and national levels.

Register for the Community event

CESR members join Repair Cafe in Parliament to champion repair and reuse policies

Author katcorbett | Posted on

On 25 March, CESR members Laura Fogg-Rogers, Associate Professor for Engineering in Society, and Kat Corbett, Interim Head of Circular Economy and Responsible Consumption and MAKERS Project coordinator, joined repair groups from across the UK at a Repair Cafe held in Parliament. The event brought together 100 community repair groups and 91 MPs, making it the largest parliamentary repair gathering to date.

Organised by The Restart Project and Back Market, with support from SUEZ and Green Alliance, the event was a powerful call for policies that make it easier to repair everyday items and build a thriving circular economy. The Repair and Reuse Declaration, which now boasts 143 MP signatories, was a central focus, highlighting growing political commitment to repair and reuse.

Laura and Kat attended to champion the UWE Bristol Repair Cafe at the School of Engineering, alongside their links to Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell through Frome Valley Environmental Network CIC, as well as Eastville Repair Cafe. Through co-leading the Bristol Repair Coalition with Mark Jacobs, (Member of the Bristol City Environment Board and Associate Lecturer UWE Bristol) and Teresa Dillon (Professor, Art, Media & Spatial Practice at the Winchester School of Arts, University of Southampton), they aim to accelerate the circular economy regionally and support local green jobs in repair and reuse. The Bristol Repair Coalition was established in March 2024 by Repair Acts, an artist-led materials research group that explores repair and maintenance cultures across the UK and internationally.

Laura Fogg-Rogers said, “we were delighted to be joined by MP Claire Hazelgrove to show support for the value of local Repair and Reuse green jobs.”

Kat Corbett added, “The Restart Project have done an incredible job in creating an environment for repair activists to build the momentum we need to drive change. And in doing so, they have also managed to create a real community, too.”

The day featured hands-on repair demonstrations, including Team Repair engaging a school group in fixing gadgets, and volunteers repairing items such as hairdryers, irons, and kettles alongside MPs. A particularly memorable moment was when a volunteer from the London based Fixing Factory, returned a repaired toaster to BBC presenter Sean Fletcher, who spoke about the item’s emotional value.

The event took place at a pivotal moment as the UK government prepares to publish its Circular Economy Growth Plan. Mary Creagh, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, spoke about the importance of prioritising repair and reuse in this strategy. The repair community’s hopes for the plan include:

  • Reducing the cost of repair to support local residents and repair businesses, as demonstrated by the ReLondon Electrical Repair Voucher Scheme trial.
  • Aligning UK Right to Repair laws with, or exceeding, EU standards that mandate spare parts availability and durability requirements for devices.
  • Addressing the vast number of working products currently shredded for recycling, with repair and reuse targets to prevent unnecessary waste.
  • Boosting repair skills through government support for training, accreditation, and apprenticeships, helping to grow a new generation of skilled fixers.
Mary Creagh, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, giving a speech at the Parliamentary Repair Cafe

As the repair movement grows – from grassroots Repair Cafes to global platforms for reselling refurbished technology – the community stresses the need for policy frameworks that remove barriers and provide support at scale.

With overwhelming public support (four in five people in the UK want the government to back repair initiatives) there is a clear mandate for change.

Flowing Up: empowering youth and protecting heritage in Taiz, Yemen

Author katcorbett | Posted on

At UWE Bristol, we are proud to support the Flowing Up project, an innovative educational initiative that places children at the heart of heritage and environmental protection. Launched in March 2025 with funding from the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), this project embodies a vital step towards building long-term awareness of cultural identity, environmental responsibility, and sustainable interaction with historic sites.

Engaging youth: Education at the heart of heritage and environmental protection

Flowing Up focuses on engaging younger generations in Taiz, Yemen, through immersive educational experiences within the historic Al-Qahira Castle. This fortress, perched above the city, is not only a symbol of Yemeni identity but also a testament to centuries of history now threatened by the combined forces of climate change and conflict. The project’s approach is holistic, linking environmental protection with the safeguarding of cultural heritage, recognising that these challenges are deeply interconnected.

Students from preparatory schools in Taiz participate in field visits to the castle, where they explore the impacts of climate change on the site, including the risks posed by climbing plants to the stone fabric and the effects of drought on traditional water systems. These activities are complemented by practical engagement, such as simple agricultural practices that encourage planting as a response to environmental challenges. This hands-on involvement fosters a sense of responsibility towards both nature and heritage, nurturing a new generation of custodians.

The educational initiative is led by seven final-year architectural engineering students from Taiz, supervised by UWE Bristol’s Professor Lisa Mol. The project is implemented in partnership with Heritage for Peace, represented by Dr Isber Sabrine and architect Mariam Abdullatif, alongside field support from the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums in Taiz. This collaboration exemplifies a respectful and compassionate approach to heritage preservation, combining local expertise with academic knowledge.

Restoring Al-Qahira Castle: A collaborative effort for cultural and climate resilience

Flowing Up is part of a broader effort to restore and protect Al-Qahira Castle, a site of immense cultural and historical significance. Restoration works have made significant progress, particularly on the main entrance’s southern façade, where 95 per cent of the damage has been repaired using original stones and traditional materials such as lime mortar and clay. The restoration respects the principle of authentic preservation, integrating traditional craftsmanship with modern scientific methods to ensure the castle’s structural stability for future generations.

This wider restoration project is supported by the United States Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), in partnership with the U.S. Mission to Yemen, Heritage for Peace, and the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums in Taiz. The work is not only about conserving stone and mortar but about preserving stories, traditions, and community identity amid ongoing conflict and environmental stress.

UWE Bristol’s involvement reflects a commitment to sustainability and dignity, recognising that cultural heritage is a foundation for social cohesion, recovery, and resilience. As climate change intensifies and conflicts disrupt communities, protecting heritage sites like Al-Qahira Castle becomes essential for maintaining a sense of continuity and hope.

The Flowing Up project also addresses a critical gap in climate adaptation strategies by emphasising cultural resilience. Through education and capacity building, it empowers young people to become active participants in safeguarding their heritage and environment, ensuring that these treasures remain vibrant and relevant.

As the project continues, five pilot initiatives are being developed to further protect the castle and raise community awareness. These efforts represent a beacon of hope and agency for Taiz’s youth, offering practical pathways to engage with heritage preservation amid complex challenges.

UWE Bristol is honoured to contribute to this meaningful work, standing in solidarity with Yemeni communities and partners who strive to protect their cultural memory and natural environment. The Flowing Up project is a testament to the power of education, collaboration, and compassion in building a sustainable and dignified future for heritage and humanity alike.

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