CBiS Project Selected as a Finalist in Research with Impact Category

A project based in the Centre for Business in Society (CBiS) at Coventry University has been shortlisted as a Finalist in the UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards 2019 RESEARCH WITH IMPACT (INSTITUTION) CATEGORY, sponsored by Emerald Publishing.

The project ‘Promoting sustainability within the cut-flower industry’ results from a significant body of research being undertaken by Dr David Bek and Dr Jill Timms. David and Jill are working closely with a range of industry, governmental and NGO stakeholders on initiatives which are translating their research findings into actions improving sustainability within cut-flower supply chains. In the spirit of sustainability these actions have impacts locally within the UK and internationally within countries such as South Africa and Kenya, where much of their research work is based.

Their work forms part of an impact case study for entry into REF2021. The development of the case study has involved the organisation of three highly successful workshops with industry stakeholders. The most recent, held in Holland in April 2019, was hosted by a major flower wholesaler. As a result of the event, a steering group has been formed to facilitate a range of exciting sustainability-focused initiatives which aim to reduce carbon and water footprints, promote biodiversity and improve the socio-economic status of workers in the cut-flower sector. As a result of the project, Jill and David’s respective profiles have been raised and both are in demand as speakers at horticultural industry events and as members of sustainability working groups.

Winners and highly commended entries will be announced at the prestigious Green Gown Awards 2019 Ceremony and dinner, to be held on the evening of Tuesday 26th November 2019 at the Glasgow Science Centre. The event organisers invite Finalists to attend and request that senior management and colleagues consider attending, too.

Further details about the event and a list of categories and finalists are available on the Green Gown website.

The Green Gown Awards are held annually to showcase sustainability success stories from members of the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC). EAUC is the environmental and sustainability champion within Further and Higher Education in the UK and Ireland, with more than 300 institutional members. The organisation’s aims are to raise the profile of environmental management and facilitate improvement of environmental performance in member institutions. EAUC seeks to demonstrate the value that universities and colleges bring to the economy and society and their collective commitment to the global sustainability agenda. Green Gown Awards events are held in different regions of the world and there is an international event, also co-ordinated by the EAUC.

Next Steps

26th July – submission of the University’s logo and photograph of the entrants for inclusion in the Finalists’ Brochure.

11th September – submission of Stage 2 of the entry form, which includes further details of the project’s outcomes, explanation of how the project aligns to the institution’s strategic objectives and a statement from the VC about ‘what it means to win’. Finalists are also invited to submit a two-minute video about the project.

26th November – Awards Ceremony in Glasgow.

Coventry University’s entries are co-ordinated by the University’s Sustainability Manager, Selina Fletcher.

Well done to Jill Timms and David Beck from CBiS and to the CU team led by Selina Fletcher in producing such a strong entry, now selected as a Finalist, in these prestigious awards.