ID236 Living what we’re Learning

The Idea

This idea builds on the legacy of four students on the BSc in Environment & Sustainability in 2011 who lobbied the university to turn a small bungalow on campus into 'an exemplar for sustainable student living', having felt that they couldn’t live as sustainably as they would have liked in university halls, and recognising the need to help other students to understand living more sustainably. The project ran until 2025, with four new students every year, exploring new ways of practicing sustainability (building raised beds, a polytunnel, wildlife pond, compost heap, running vegan cooking workshops etc.), in what is an otherwise rather poor quality standard bungalow. The bungalow catalysed a number of student-led sustainability projects, some of which became adopted as standard university practice (such as the Great Donate, collecting in unwanted food, crockery and cutlery at the end of year for donation and resale to international students the following year). 

This idea proposes the (re)development of accommodation blocks with a focus on sustainability, which students (from any discipline) specifically apply to, enabling them to explore interests in sustainable living, communication of sustainability to others, and catalysing a sustainable student community. This can start from the redevelopment of individual accommodation blocks to becoming the norm over time, ensuring accommodation standards align with Keele’s sustainability reputation and that the environment in which students live and study supports sustainability learning. 

As student accommodation is incrementally renewed we should aspire for this to be renovated to the highest sustainable standards. However, as important to technical sustainability standards, the ‘sustainable block(s)’ should also have a greater focus on community and communication, helping re-build a strong student sustainability community.

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

This idea builds on the legacy of the Sustainable Student Bungalow, a student-led project which ran for over 10 years and received national press coverage. Development of sustainable student accommodation designed to develop and support student community and behaviour around sustainability should be considered because it: 

1. Enables students to ‘live what their learning’ – bridging the disconnect between sustainability learning in the formal curriculum (assuming the continued aim of sustainability learning integration into all disciplines), and visible unsustainability in the estate and the learning that takes place through the ‘hidden curriculum’- in the environment in which they live and study 
2. Provides a tangible and practical way for students to engage with sustainability beyond the headlines of Keele’s sustainable energy system 
3. Provides opportunities for peer learning, community building and belonging 
4. Ties in with the urgent need to improve the quality of campus student accommodation 
5. Addresses anecdotal student complaints about the difficulty of living sustainably in student accommodation 
6. Helps catalyse student-led sustainability activity 
7. Builds on the legacy of a long-running, well profiled project demonstrating how Keele centres sustainability in everything it does, creating a long-running narrative of Keele’s sustainability journey and development 
8. Reduces long-term operational costs in student accommodation (more below!) 
9. Provides opportunities for funded research into both technical and social aspects of sustainable accommodation building on the concept of Keele as a ‘living lab’. 
10. Provides opportunities for links to student-led research projects and integration into teaching in different programmes. 

There are few studies focusing on cost implications of sustainable (re)development of specifically student accommodation. A recent 900-bed Passivhaus standard student accommodation development at University of West of England is predicted to achieve cost reductions of 40% and emissions reductions of 71% associated with space heating demand when compared with student accommodation built to the current building regulations. In addition to operational expenditure reductions due to reductions in space heating requirements, improved moisture controls and better managed ventilation can also lower costs related to mould remediation, redecoration, call outs, as well as increasing income from accommodation and improving student health and wellbeing. Lowering operational expenditure and carbon liabilities adds to the long-term value proposition of (re)developed student accommodation, while connecting this to developing a strong student community around sustainability can help drive new sustainability initiatives and increase a sense of belonging.

How We Would Implement This Idea

Identify suitable accommodation blocks (based on current state, number of rooms and communal space) and scope a phased development of sustainable renovation ensuring value for money through integration with required renovation works. 

Create a cross-university working group across relevant PSS and academic staff to bring in different perspectives across technical and social sustainability developments, and education and research potential. 

Build into processes and communication for accommodation allocation, including decisions on application process and costs, whether discounts can apply based on expectations, whether students can live there for more than one year. 

Create a framework for expectations and accountability, roles and responsibilities of student residents (including documenting experiences and learning) and what they can expect in return.

What Success Would Look Like

Well maintained sustainable accommodation as a permanent asset in the student housing stock, integrated into accommodation allocation processes, providing opportunities for students to ‘live what they’re learning’, support peer learning; and be part of a sustainable student community driving sustainable practice on campus. The amount of sustainable accommodation will increase over time, and research and education opportunities be explored in collaboration with students. 

In addition, the following benefits would contribute to success: 

• Students choosing Keele because of the opportunity to really embrace sustainability through their living as well as their learning 
• Reduced operational costs from student accommodation 
• Reduced carbon emissions primarily from improvements in space heating 
• PR opportunities (including potential use as an educational and outreach facility if vacant outside of term times) 
• Providing an exemplar for collaborative working between PSS and academic staff and students 
• Enhanced staff and student engagement in sustainability as a result of sustainability being seen to be centred in decision making reflecting a sustainability mission across all aspects of the university