Category: Product design

Sustainable campus in Falmer

Brighton jumps into top 30 in new university sustainability league table

The University of Brighton has climbed an impressive 16 places to secure a spot in the top 30 of the latest People & Planet University League, a prestigious ranking of 165 UK universities based on their environmental and ethical performance.

Brighton’s achievement also places it as the fourth most sustainable university in the South East, showcasing its leadership in sustainability within the region.

Recognized for Excellence in Sustainability

The People & Planet League evaluates universities across 14 categories, including environmental policy and strategy, water use, waste and recycling, carbon management and reduction, as well as education on sustainable development.

Brighton was awarded:

  • 100% for its sustainability strategy and policies.
  • 90% for staff and student engagement.
  • 85% for education on sustainable development.
  • 83% for carbon management.

The improvement on last year’s league table position means Brighton has risen by 41 places in the last two years having placed 71st in 2022 and 46th in 2023.

University of Brighton People and Planet award

A Mission-Aligned Approach

Ollie Swan, Head of Sustainability at the University of Brighton, emphasized the institution’s dual focus on academic and operational excellence:
“Our academic mission is deeply connected to addressing today’s environmental and ethical challenges. By aligning our teaching and research with real-world issues, we prepare students to contribute to a sustainable society. At the same time, we’re committed to ‘walking the talk’ through our own environmental performance. While these results are encouraging, we remain focused on consistent improvements within our emerging university strategy.”

A Track Record of Sustainable Action

The latest performance in the national sustainability league table comes after the university was awarded platinum status through the EcoCampus university sector environmental management certification (EMS) scheme.

This is a result of implementing strategic policies to cut carbon emissions, move towards cleaner energy, protect biodiversity, and reduce waste.

So far, the University of Brighton has:

  • Generated 630,000 kWh of solar power in 2023/24—equivalent to powering 230 homes for a year.
  • Diverted 4.7 tonnes of waste from landfills through a reuse campaign, which collected 592 bags of unwanted items from student halls and raised £8,880 for charity in 2024.
Commitment to a Sustainable Future

This recognition reflects Brighton’s dedication to fostering a culture of sustainability. The university’s staff and students play an active role in driving positive environmental change, setting a strong example for the wider community.

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Paul Cottingham Trust scholarship

University of Brighton announces one of the UK’s first scholarships focused on the study of trans inclusion

A PhD scholarship focused on trans and non-binary inclusion has been launched by the University of Brighton in collaboration with The Paul Cottingham Trust.

The scholarship will provide a talented researcher with financial support and access to world-class resources, to develop a project focusing on trans and non-binary inclusion within the broad remit of supporting health, wellbeing, and dignity in health and social care. It will be awarded to a candidate who is committed to making a difference to the wider trans community and will provide a unique opportunity for in-depth research that can explore the issues and opportunities for trans people.

This landmark initiative reflects the University of Brighton’s ongoing commitment to advancing research, fostering social change, and championing equality.

Logo for the Paul Cottingham Trust

The scholarship is overseen by the University’s Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender (CTSG), an internationally recognised research centre known for its pioneering work in LGBTQIA+ lives and communities. The centre’s researchers employ innovative methods and creative approaches, to produce work that informs policy and practice. The centre also champions anti-racist and gender-inclusive research, providing a vibrant and inclusive environment for its thriving community of early-career researchers and students.

Professor Nigel Sherriff, Professor of Public Health and Public Promotion and Director of CTSG at the University of Brighton said:

“The scholarship represents a unique opportunity to contribute to a vision for the future that transforms trans and non-binary inclusion at every level. It will be awarded to a candidate who demonstrates a strong commitment to driving social change, advancing trans rights, and championing inclusion for trans and non-binary communities, particularly their most marginalised members. It represents an exciting chance to contribute to a vision that translates into tangible improvements in the lives of trans and non-binary individuals.”

Funding for the PhD is provided by The Paul Cottingham Trust, founded in memory of actor, singer, fundraiser and charity supporter Paul Cottingham. Established by Lord Michael Cashman CBE (Paul’s husband) and fellow Trustees, the Trust is dedicated to promoting LGBTQIA+ equality and inclusion globally, focusing on initiatives that create meaningful change for marginalised communities.

Lord Michael Cashman CBE said:

‘We are proud to join the Uni of Brighton in this innovative and exciting project which embodies our shared commitment to achieving an inclusive and equal society where everyone can achieve their unique potential and enjoy the same rights, obligations and privileges as others.’

Click here for more information on the scholarship and how to apply.

Joanna TurnerLeave a comment

Check if you’re eligible for £1,250 and a lower grade offer

At the University of Brighton, we’re here to support you in making the best start to your university journey. With our new postcode checker, you can quickly see if you’re eligible for our Brighton Boost financial support package, designed to help you with the cost of living and make everyday things just that little bit easier.   Continue reading “Check if you’re eligible for £1,250 and a lower grade offer” →

Joanna TurnerLeave a comment

Looking back on our 2024: A year of innovation, creativity and impact

As we wrap up 2024, we want to take a moment to reflect on the past year’s achievements, milestones and stories that have shaped the year here at the University of Brighton.  

There’s so much to celebrate – we’ve seen groundbreaking research, community impact and inspiring student success across every area of the university.   Continue reading “Looking back on our 2024: A year of innovation, creativity and impact” →

Joanna TurnerLeave a comment
Sustainable bag made from courier uniform

Design graduates team up to turn waste ‘gig economy’ uniforms into sustainable bags

A Product Design graduate has earned a collaboration with alumni Tom Meades’ sustainable design studio, gomi, to make bags from waste courier uniforms.

Angus Clifford, who graduated from the university this summer with a degree in Product Design BSc(Hons), has teamed up with Tom Meades, co-founder and chief designer at gomi, to bring Angus’s final year university project to life.

Each year, millions of courier uniforms for companies including Deliveroo, Just East, Uber Eats – and many more – are handed out, most of which ultimately end up in landfill. Angus’s project, which was among the many innovative solutions showcased by Brighton students at this year’s Graduate Summer Shows (Instagram), focused on finding a sustainable response to this waste challenge.

Tom and Angus sitting next to each other looking at a laptop
Tom Meades (left) and Angus Clifford
Sustainable bag made out of courier uniform
Sustainable bag made out of courier uniform
Hands holding a piece of material
Continue reading “Design graduates team up to turn waste ‘gig economy’ uniforms into sustainable bags” →

Laura RubyLeave a comment

Product design students showcase their projects in exclusive Dezeen article

The architecture and design online magazine Dezeen, which has over three million monthly readers, recently featured a selection of product design students from the University, showcasing the impressive work they completed as part of their final-year projects.

The Product Design BSc(Hons) course at Brighton prepares students for a career in design through collaborative work that mirrors a real-world industry environment. This article highlights just a handful of projects that our students undertook, which now serve as the foundation for their professional portfolios.

Continue reading “Product design students showcase their projects in exclusive Dezeen article” →

Neysan JonesLeave a comment
A laptop with a computer game on the screen and a hand reaching for it

Graduates 2024: Hanna Harings-Mahendra: Product Design BSc(Hons)

Organising the course so that each student can be their individual selves makes the course well worth it.

Please tell us a bit about your work and your influences

My project is called Recover Quest, it’s a rehabilitation video game for injury recovery, focusing on the hand and wrist and uses real time hand tracking. The project is partially influenced by myself as I have a condition called erbs palsy which means limited rotation and range of motion in one arm. I rarely do my exercises and wanted to find out if others felt the same and that’s how this project started!

Continue reading “Graduates 2024: Hanna Harings-Mahendra: Product Design BSc(Hons)” →

Laura RubyLeave a comment
bag collection on an orange background

Graduates 2024: Angus Clifford, Product Design BSc(Hons)

The best aspect of my studies would be the strong studio culture we have on the course, I’m basically in five days a week and have a permanently allocated space which has given me the opportunity to set up what feels like a mini studio.

Please tell us a bit about your work and your influences

Throughout my time as a designer, I have been exploring effective ways of rebreathing life into waste materials. I have more recently been focusing on how design can be used as a tool to raise awareness of social and environmental issues by not just developing a beautiful object, but also communicating a compelling story behind it which I believe is equally as important.

My final year project: ‘ReUSed’ is a critical design project that raises awareness of the social issues takeaway couriers face, as well as the environmental impact of their discarded uniforms.

Continue reading “Graduates 2024: Angus Clifford, Product Design BSc(Hons)” →

Laura RubyLeave a comment