Building partnerships between students and organisations for positive change

The University Living Lab applies the energy and expertise of students to real-world sustainability challenges. We do this by developing student projects with external organisations that help them to meet their sustainability goals. At the same time our projects enable students to make a difference through their studies and gain key skills and experience. 

What we do

What you can do
For Students
For Students

You could affect change for sustainable development through your University work.

We have hundreds of projects set by a range of organisations that you can adapt for your assessment.

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For Organisations
For Organisations

We can offer student power to research your sustainable development needs. We embrace the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals so are welcoming a vast range of projects at a local to global scale.

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For Educators
For Educators

Our applied research works as standalone assessment in a taught unit, or our projects can be a database of inspiration for students to adapt to your assessment.

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“The greatest threat to the planet is the belief someone else will save it.”

— Robert Swan

Research Reports
Wellbeing Outcomes: The Role of Green Space in Improving Public Health
Wellbeing Outcomes: The Role of Green Space in Improving Public Health

This report addresses the impact green spaces have on wellbeing outcomes as part of a wider discussion regarding the sustainable development of society and space.

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Different approaches to measuring cities’ carbon footprints.
Different approaches to measuring cities’ carbon footprints.

The accounting of carbon emissions implemented by most of the cities around the world is the production-based responsibility. However, other methods of carbon emissions have been developed, namely consumption-based.

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Biodiversity Conservation at the University of Manchester: Monitoring Pollinators
Biodiversity Conservation at the University of Manchester: Monitoring Pollinators

With the constant expansion of cities into previously rural land the insects that play such a vital role in the production of crops are being forced into urban areas.

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Featured student reports

Creating a sustainable future together.

“I am a student research intern at the University of Manchester and I think that without the research skills I gained during the project I wouldn’t have been able to get this position.”

— Student studying UCIL ‘Creating a Sustainable World’, University of Manchester

“The assessment style is the best I have had yet, it challenges 21st century challenges with the learning, and lets you interact with these challenges alongside a business - learning feels useful when it is put into real-world contexts”

— Student, Governing Urban Transformations, University of Manchester