Shortlisting success for Storyhouse Climate collaboration

Storyhouse Climate, held in November 2022 to raise awareness and action on climate change, has been shortlisted for a Green Gown award in the category of Creating Impact.

The Green Gown awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the world.

A host of leading scientists and thinkers, sustainability pioneers, creatives and young people came together at Storyhouse Climate to talk about the work that is being done to combat climate change and promote a more sustainable way of living. The event attracted over 500 visitors, including local primary schools.  The day included performances, practical workshops, presentations and discussion panels to inspire the community and regional businesses to learn about the ways they can reduce their carbon footprint and protect the environment.

A total of 35 workshops, presentations, performances and displays took place on the day hosted by academic staff, students, school groups, charity organisations, local councillors and community groups. Presentation topics ranged from imagining a city with no cars and sustainable electric heating, to urban roof garden design, and a drama performance for children based on the book ‘The Secret Garden’. Hands-on and interactive workshops covered recycling old books, exploring mud, microfossils and the past climate, cycle repair, and sustainable crafting.

The event was organised by Dr Helen Southall, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science; Dr Si Poole from the School of Education and Storyhouse; Tamara Hunt from the University’s Sustainability Team and Neuza Morais from the Department of Performing Arts, with help from Dr Katie Barnett, Senior Lecturer in Music, Media and Performance. It brought together contributions from the Faculties of Science, Business and Enterprise, and Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, as well the University’s Facilities team, and the public facilities and community engagement capabilities of Chester’s Storyhouse arts centre.  By bringing together experts from different disciplines across the University, the event offered opportunities to share knowledge about current issues and potential solutions, and to make contacts across communities and disciplines that could lead to important progress in the future. 

Tamara Hunt, Sustainability Manager at the University of Chester, said: “I am so pleased to see the hard work and commitment of everyone who gave their time and energy to this project has been recognised in this way.”

“The day helped to initiate connections and relationships between departments for both staff and students and was also a catalyst in building relationships with local organisations and groups to host student placements, ideas for dissertation research topics and to collaborate on other events.”

Dr Helen Southall, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, said: “It was rewarding to see this event grow from a chance discussion after an internal university event on interdisiplinary research back in 2020,and to see members of the public, community groups and business representatives showing such enthusiasm and commitment on this important topic. The combination of highly relevant academic research, information on active business projects and input from the public and community groups made for an exciting and productive event for all concerned, and it’s good to see the project being recognised more widely.”

The winners will be announced in an awards ceremony in November.