Birmingham Honoured for Interdisciplinary Plastics Initiative in Prestigious Higher Education Awards

The UK&Ireland Green Gown Awards 2025 have recognised the University of Birmingham in the category Benefiting Society for an innovative pathway addressing the plastics crisis encompassed through interdisciplinary research, creative engagement, and policy development. Most consider the Green Gown Awards a leading indicator of sustainability in education systems in the UK university sector.

Empowering Evidence-based Policy through Interdisciplinary Action is the name of the successful project under which it was tested within BPN. This project showed the University of Birmingham's deep commitment to civic responsibility, environmental responsibility in higher education, and societal impact in higher education. The most prominent body involved in this initiative was the Plastics Policy Commission 2024, which gathered experts from science, engineering, law, and economics to deliver actionable recommendations for a sustainable UK plastics future.

BPN partnered with Stan's Cafe theatre company to bring these findings to life for the public through the production of The Many Lives of PET 1. It is a tabletop play about the life of one plastic bottle through many different life cycles. Over two thousand people, including underserved communities, experienced the show and school workshops. Thus, the production provided an engaging opportunity to critically engage with sustainability in education while stimulating dialogue around the use of plastics.

The University of Birmingham's senior leadership was delighted. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adam Tickell, stated that the award represents major recognition of the University for the impact it has made in the real world through its research. He considered the Birmingham Plastics Network as an excellent case of how green campus initiatives can also do something good for society. BPN member Professor Andrew Dove further stated that the award of the BPN project exemplified the tangible value of interdisciplinary work to make sustainability more accessible and meaningful.

The award excited Stan's Café's Artistic Director James Yarker, who asserted that placing sustainability at the heart of artistic practice provides a space for community dialogue and change. For him, creative storytelling becomes a foundation upon which to translate very complex pieces of research into people's everyday understanding. The Green Gown Awards have been run for 21 years by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Acknowledging excellence in sustainability within UK higher education, this year saw 112 initiatives shortlisted from 76 institutions across 14 categories; the winners, including the University of Birmingham, will now represent the UK and Ireland at the international forum of the Green Gown Awards.

Charlotte Bonner, the current Chief Executive for the EAUC, made some remarks on the high standards entries are being set, stating that sustainability is no longer a side-project but rather an organising focus across strategy, teaching, and community partnerships in UK universities. This statement highlighted the climbing relevance of sustainability in university education today.

The University of Birmingham can point to more than an award in the area of sustainability. The first such report, Sustainability in Focus: A Year in Progress, was published in September. It sets out the University’s integrated approach to sustainability, highlighting a summary of its accomplishments and expected focus within its strategic framework. The award honours not only the University of Birmingham itself as a leader in sustainability, but also the way in which an increasing number of UK universities are forging societal impact through teaching, research and creative engagement.

Editor’s Note:

The 2025 UK and Ireland Green Gown Award recognition for the University of Birmingham is more than just an acknowledgement; it indicates a clear change in the evolution of sustainability in higher education. The University showed that environmental responsibility in universities must be rooted in civic engagement, policy relevance, and creative communication after winning the 'Benefitting Society' category for its interdisciplinary plastics initiative. The integration of research and public engagement has been deliberate. The Birmingham Plastics Network did not merely develop policy recommendations; it actively engaged communities excluded from academic discourse by translating those recommendations into not-so-conventional theatre formats. Such activities are indicative of the evolving notion that societal impact, within higher education, is no longer quantified merely through publication metrics. It demands connection, empathy, and creativity.

The statements from the leadership of the EAUC mark yet another phase: sustainability has gone from being on the sidelines to the mainstream strategic focus, teaching agenda, and partnerships of institutions. It is a fact not just about Birmingham, but about many UK universities now embedding sustainability into their core identity. In fact, a separate sustainability report produced in-house early in the year evidences that commitment. This indicates that the award was not an isolated event but rather one achievement within a larger framework of accountability and progress.

Skoobuzz observes that although many reform-minded individuals have long used their English degrees to critique the often slow-moving nature of the higher education sector, the University of Birmingham continues to stand out as a model of purposeful academic engagement. The institution’s work serves as a timely reminder that meaningful change arises not solely from knowledge, but from the dynamic combination of informed action and collective goodwill.

FAQs

1. Why did the University of Birmingham win the Green Gown Award in 2025?

The University of Birmingham was recognised in the ‘Benefitting Society’ category for its interdisciplinary initiative addressing the plastics crisis. The project combined research, creative engagement, and policy development to promote sustainability and civic responsibility.

2. What is the Green Gown Award for sustainability in higher education?

The Green Gown Awards, run by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), celebrate excellence in sustainability across UK and Ireland higher education institutions. They are considered a leading indicator of sustainability in education.

3. What was the University of Birmingham’s winning project called?

The project was titled Empowering Evidence-based Policy through Interdisciplinary Action. It was led by the Birmingham Plastics Network (BPN) and supported by the 2024 Plastics Policy Commission.

4. How is the University of Birmingham contributing to societal impact?

Through interdisciplinary collaboration, public engagement, and creative storytelling, the University has translated complex sustainability research into accessible formats. This includes theatre-based outreach and policy recommendations aimed at shaping a sustainable future.

5. What role did Stan’s Café play in the project?

Stan’s Café theatre company partnered with the Birmingham Plastics Network to produce The Many Lives of PET 1, a tabletop play exploring the journey of a plastic bottle. The production reached over 2,000 people, including underserved communities, through performances and school workshops.

6. Who were the key figures involved in the initiative?

Key contributors included Professor Adam Tickell (Vice-Chancellor), Professor Andrew Dove (Sustainable Polymer Chemistry), and James Yarker (Artistic Director of Stan’s Café). Each highlighted the importance of combining research, creativity, and community dialogue.

7. How long have the Green Gown Awards been running?

The Green Gown Awards have been running for 21 years. In 2025, 112 initiatives from 76 institutions were shortlisted across 14 categories.

8. Which UK universities are recognised for sustainability initiatives?

Alongside the University of Birmingham, many UK universities are now embedding sustainability into their core strategies, teaching, and partnerships. The Green Gown Awards showcase institutions leading in environmental responsibility and societal impact.

9. What does the University of Birmingham’s sustainability report include?

Published in September 2025, Sustainability in Focus: A Year in Progress outlines the University’s integrated approach to sustainability. It highlights achievements and strategic priorities within its broader framework.

10. What role does sustainability play in university education today?

According to EAUC Chief Executive Charlotte Bonner, sustainability is no longer a side project. It is now central to institutional strategy, curriculum design, and community engagement across UK universities.