Not only do we celebrate the students here at the SU, but we want to celebrate the staff too! This is our third Staff Spotlight of the year and today we are hearing from Claire Booth who is the University’s Sustainability Manager.
How would you describe your job role?
I coordinate the strategic direction and on-the-ground delivery of the University’s Sustainability activity, aligning to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I work collaboratively with staff, students and external partners with the aim of inspiring everyone to become aware of - and act on - the potential of creative industries to address sustainability challenges at all scales.
What does a typical day entail?
Every day looks different with plenty of variety! Last term the focus was on scheduling activity such as the Annual Sustainability Student Award and collating information for the 2023/24 Annual Sustainability Report. The year ended on a high with the news that the University has risen by 36 places in the latest People & Planet University League table of sustainability performance, making it into the Top 100 of universities in the UK. This is a good position to build on further and I am reviewing the People & Planet University League criteria to inform opportunities for improvement. I am also reviewing the University’s Sustainability Framework and preparing for this year’s Annual Staff & Student Travel Survey.
Throughout the year, I work with the SU and Exec Officer on planning student engagement initiatives liaise with staff on opportunities to embed sustainability into the curriculum, collate information for external reporting/benchmarking such as the SDG Accord, deliver student and staff Sustainability Inductions, and work with Estates on managing our environmental impacts. I am involved in local partnerships including the SAIL Circularity Network and sector organisations like EAUC.
How does this benefit the Students here at LAU?
We know that sustainability is important to our students – in the last SOS-UK Annual Sustainability Skills Survey, 94% of students agreed that ‘Sustainable development is something which universities should actively incorporate and promote’. Working to manage and improve the sustainability of our operations benefits all building users, and through working to promote opportunities and embed sustainability into curriculum, we aim to ensure that students leave Leeds Arts University knowing and understanding what sustainability is in the context of their discipline so that they can positive contribute to a better future and meet the changing needs of industry.
How did you get into this type of work?
I’ve always been interested in the environment and global development issues. I studied Geography at University and started my career in project management roles in Financial Services. I was fortunate to have the backing to develop various sustainability initiatives alongside my ‘day job’ and enjoyed this so much that I returned to study an MSc in Sustainability to pursue a career in this area. After building my experience in consultancies, I moved into the education sector, working in the Sustainability Service at the University of Leeds Service prior to joining Leeds Arts University in August 2023.
What advice would you give to the students?
You get out what you put in, and look for opportunities to ‘Be the Change’! I encourage students to ask questions, get involved and consider how they can contribute to a more sustainable University and wider work through their everyday actions and creative practice. The state of the world can feel overwhelming at times but progress is being made across the SDGs and small individual actions can really make a big difference collectively.
Is there anything outside of work you wish to share with us?
I am a member of local running club Hyde Park Harriers and have run a few marathons over the years. I try to get to parkrun every week and I’ve signed up for my first Triathlon so I am starting to train for that.
I volunteer as the Environment lead at my local church leading a small group in working towards the Eco church award which is similar to Green Impact but for churches. I have also recently become a Climate Ambassador at a local primary school, working with them to develop their Climate Action Plan.
My own art is limited to craft projects with my kids at the moment, but I’d like to think I might reawaken my creative spirit more one day! I loved Art at school and was very proud of my GCSE A grade...I actually have my final submission – an abstract interpretation of the D:ream song “Things can only get better” and it still makes me smile!
If you could live in any artwork, what would it be and why?
What a great question! I think it would be some kind of immersive art like ‘David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)’- especially the swimming pool, I think art like this helps us to consider new perspectives, literally! A colleague recently stayed at A House for Essex designed by Grayson Perry which looks like an amazing way to live in the artwork, so it’s on my list to visit!
Is there anything else you want to add?
I’d encourage any students interested in sustainability to speak to their course team about how it is considered in their area, and to look out for opportunities to get involved including through the SU and societies such as Conscious Creatives, the Annual Student Sustainability Award and the Student Sustainability Research Conference. Engagement and feedback are really important to me, so I’d encourage students to get in touch with any sustainability ideas, comments or questions.
If you want to get in contact with Clare then be sure to email: claire.booth@leeds-art.ac.uk or pop into the Estates Office in B2 M1.44.
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