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University of Sunderland named finalist in five Green Gown Award categories

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Published on 17, July, 2025

A collage of pictures including an electric van, someone recycling a plastic bottle, bikes and plants

The University of Sunderland has been recognised multiple times as finalists by the Green Gown Awards 2025 for its sustainability action.

Every year, the Green Gown Awards spotlight sustainable initiatives and best practices undertaken by universities and colleges across both the UK and Ireland.

This year, the University of Sunderland has been named as a finalist in five categories:

  • Benefiting Society - SeaScapes Co/Lab: Curating care for our coastlines
  • Creating Impact – ‘Recover, Re-use, Repair & Produce’ to reduce waste in healthcare technical support
  • Next Generation Learning and Skills - Rewilding Education: Empowering future conservation leaders
  • Sustainability Champion – Staff - Gary Stubbs
  • Tomorrow’s Employees – Sustainability in Media Production: helping to create a sustainable screen industry with the filmmakers of the future

Graphic for green gown finalists

Laura Middlemass, Sustainability Manager at the University, said: “I am really pleased to be able to celebrate the achievements of colleagues across Faculties, Schools and Professional Services who have been driving these initiatives.

“The variety of initiatives that have been shortlisted demonstrates the progress being made in embedding sustainability into ‘business as usual’ at this university.”

These shortlisted initiatives include a range of activity, from using art to help coastal communities gain a deeper understanding of marine heritage to reducing single-use waste created by healthcare teaching and rewilding projects in partnerships with academics, students and local charities. 

Gary Stubbs, Senior Lecturer in Film and Television Production at the University, has also been named a Sustainability Champion (staff) finalist for his efforts in integrating sustainable practice into teaching.

Gary said: “This recognition reflects my ongoing commitment to embedding sustainability within screen production and education, integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals and BAFTA Albert frameworks into both the theory and practice of filmmaking.

“As a Faculty Sustainability Champion at the University, I am dedicated to ensuring that students graduate not only as skilled creatives, but as ethical storytellers equipped to drive sustainable change across the screen industries through both production and editorial practice.

“I always say to anyone who asks why sustainability matters in film and television: there isn’t an industry we don’t work with.

“From catering and transport to engineering and energy, screen production touches almost every sector. And alongside that, we hold one of the most powerful tools of influence - storytelling. That combination gives us a unique responsibility and a huge opportunity to lead by example and drive meaningful change.”

Ben Dale, Chief Financial Officer at the University and Executive sponsor for its Strategic Environmental Sustainability Group, said: “Being named as finalists in the Green Gown Awards highlights and celebrates our continued good work and good practice in embedding sustainability perspectives in our curriculum, and across professional services.

“We hope that this will inspire others to follow this approach, both inside and beyond our University.”

The Green Gown Awards 2025 UK and Ireland winners will be announced at their awards ceremony at the Library of Birmingham on Thursday 6 November.

Find out more about how the University of Sunderland is working towards a sustainable future here.