Responsible Futures

University achieves Responsible Futures re-accreditation

Manchester Metropolitan University and The Union have successfully achieved the NUS Responsible Futures accreditation for the third time, following a two day student-led audit facilitated by Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK). This makes Manchester Met one of thirteen UK university partnerships to receive the accreditation in 2020.

What is Responsible Futures?

The Responsible Futures initiative supports institutions to work in equal and active partnerships with their students’ unions to embed sustainability and social responsibility (SRS) throughout the student and staff learning experience.

Manchester Met’s Commitment

Taking part in the original pilot of the Responsible Futures programme in 2014, Manchester Met has demonstrated its commitment to being a leading sustainable University. The Responsible Futures accreditation requires participating Universities and Colleges to demonstrate, through a range of evidence, how they embed SRS across core business activities.

A Responsible Futures working group, led by Professor Liz Price and consisting of Manchester Met staff and students have continued to progress SRS issues, delivering activities with positive social and environmental impact, whilst evidencing the University’s and the Union’s activities and achievements, to attain our reaccreditation.

Results

Professor Liz Price, Head of Department for Natural Sciences, Institutional Academic Lead for the Environment and chair of the Responsible Futures working group, said

“I am delighted that our partnership has achieved reaccreditation. This is testament to the commitment of the working group and contributions from academic and professional services staff and students from across Manchester Met. Our success also reflects the effective partnership approach demonstrated by the University and the Union. I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to securing our positive outcome.”

In May 2020, eight student auditors assessed whether Manchester Met and The Union met a range of criteria for reaccreditation. The student auditors interviewed key and senior staff, and examined how SRS issues are embedded into the curriculum and in student enrichment and engagement activities - such as societies, social events and outreach projects. The student auditors also assessed our leadership, strategy and policy for sustainability. 

Overall, the student auditor team were impressed with our efforts, progress and impact. They commented on how broadly SRS issues are embedded, our clear commitment to being a leading sustainable University, and that taking a student-led approach is a very effective way of harnessing and empowering the student community. 

One of the student auditors said

“The partnership have made a clear, concerted effort to prioritise SRS issues on a university-wide scale, considering these factors in all aspects of their involvement. The agenda comes across as one which is particularly student-led, which is incredibly empowering for the student body.”

The extent to which SRS issues are embedded is revealed from the most recent annual student enrolment survey 2019-20. The University found that 77.1% of all returning students feel that they are gaining skills and knowledge to understand sustainable development issues through their University experience, demonstrating that SRS issues are gradually becoming part of the student learning experience at Manchester Met. Further information about staff and student perceptions of sustainability are available in our ‘Students, staff and sustainability’ report.

With thanks to all contributors that made the Responsible Futures reaccreditation possible. Manchester Met and the Union will seek to continue to work in partnership to further embed SRS issues and build on the positive impacts created as a result of the partnership.