University of Plymouth shortlisted for two Green Gown Awards

The University is in the running for the Sustainability Institution of the Year and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Sustainability categories

David Burt

Mr Alan Williams

Media and Communications Manager

Corporate Communications (Marketing and Communications)

17 July 2025

The University of Plymouth has been shortlisted for two prizes in the Green Gown Awards 2025.

It is on the shortlist for the Sustainability Institution of the Year category, recognising the whole-university commitment to sustainability that spans its campus activities, research and teaching.

Girls into Geoscience, an annual programme encouraging more female A-level students to consider studying Earth Science subjects, is also among the finalists of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Sustainability category.

Green Gown Awards 2025 - finalists graphic

Connecting people and place for a more sustainable planet

A commitment to sustainability – and to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – permeates every fibre of the University’s being.

In fact, in his introduction to the most recent Sustainability Report, the Vice-Chancellor wrote that “the word ‘sustainability’ runs through this University like letters through a stick of rock”.

This has been exemplified in a £110million investment in three major regeneration projects, which have transformed outdated buildings – Babbage, InterCity Place and Fitzroy – into low-carbon cutting edge facilities.

There is also a commitment to world-leading sustainability research in fields such as plastic pollution, renewable energy and sustainable food production, and the forging of ambitious international partnerships that advance understanding and create outstanding opportunities for staff and students.

Advancing research, knowledge and innovation for a more sustainable earth: Find out more about our Sustainable Earth Institute

Develop a passion for sustainability and the environment

Sustainability is also embedded in the University’s undergraduate and postgraduate courses with thousands of graduates going into the world of work each year as experts in their field, and champions of a sustainable society.

Now, and in the future, Plymouth is a University that will never lose sight of the importance of caring for people, place and the planet.

Getting girls into geoscience

Girls into Geoscience was founded in 2014 by Professor Sarah Boulton and Dr Jodie Fisher , and they have since worked closely with other academics, technicians and students at the University to stage the annual events.

Through them, and a number of other activities, the initiative has engaged more than 2,200 school pupils and many of them have gone on to enrol for undergraduate and postgraduate Earth Science degrees.

The proportion of female students on the University’s Earth Science programmes has risen by 16% in just over a decade, while its success has also inspired similar initiatives in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and diversification into disciplines including chemistry and ocean science.

Together, these initiatives are increasing the number of young women and girls considering STEM studies, and the proportion of female employees working in fields including geology, engineering and sustainability across the UK and beyond.

Its shortlisting for a Green Gown Award comes just a week after the 12th running of the event, which saw dozens of aspiring female geoscientists travel to Plymouth from across the UK.