Sustainability starts here: meet the 2025/26 Responsible Futures Working Group
Posted on: 15 October, 2025
One Central Park in Sydney – one of our students’ inspirations
At the University of the Built Environment, sustainability is a shared mission between everyone. This October, the University launched its 2025/26 Responsible Futures Working Group (RFWG), bringing together students and staff who are passionate about shaping a more sustainable built environment.
The University proudly holds the Responsible Futures accreditation mark, a change programme hosted by Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK), which helps higher education institutions embed sustainability into both the formal and informal curriculum.
The University has already achieved the Responsible Futures accreditation mark in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024 following student-led audits – and now the goal is to secure a fifth in 2026.
What is Responsible Futures?
Each student-led audit assesses the University’s sustainability progress against a range of criteria, including:
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Student and staff engagement
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Leadership
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Education for sustainable development
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Reflection on short- and long-term sustainability impacts
This year’s RFWG will explore these themes in depth, focusing on areas where student insight can shape future action. Membership from staff will rotate throughout the year to give students the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across the University.
Student members
Alongside Student Officers for Sustainability Jake Wright, Kian Bruney, Donna Modesté and Melissa Love (read more about Jake, Donna and Melissa in their introductory article), meet some of this year’s group members below:
Bishan Chapman
Programme: MSc Building Surveying
“Through my learning, a passion for sustainability has been ignited within me, and I am looking for opportunities to learn, contribute and speak more about this. Sustainability doesn’t always have to be about making grand changes instantly; to me it’s all about doing a little bit every day, learning to understand its importance to make the right changes.”
Bishan joined the group “to gain more knowledge and insight in this field, but to contribute my own thoughts too”.
Inspiration: “One Central Park Sydney. I first saw this place six years ago and was in awe. It to me displayed such creativity, a very ‘in your face’ example of sustainability, standing as a beacon of inspiration amongst the other tall buildings in the area.”
Ayodeji Akinkuolie
Job: Commercial Manager
Programme: MSc Innovation in Sustainable Built Environments
“I am a seasoned professional with a strong foundation in construction and quantity surveying, complemented by a recent MSc in Innovation in Sustainable Built Environment. I currently on a doctoral journey (PhD in Sustainability) where I aim to develop and apply my unique blend of practical project management experience and cutting-edge knowledge in sustainability to research and lead strategic initiatives.”
Ayodeji joined the group “to collaborate with like-minded people in an organised environment that fosters the ideals of sustainability and the achievement of the sustainable development goals.”
Inspiration: “It is in my mind. My retirement where nature will reign.”
Palak Dhore
Palak DhoreJob: Project Assistant at Mace
“I am a hardworking individual committed to my work. As a student representative, I was involved in creating drop in sessions (which allow student reps to better support students) and even led a drop in session last minute when another rep was having technical issues. I am keen to positively impact the university committee further.”
Palak believes “we should take responsibility for our planet” – and she is doing just that through her involvement in the RFWG.
Inspiration: “In the space to study sessions I had the opportunity to visit the Reading University of the Built Environment office. I was amazed by the dedication to sustainability, including the highly sustainable colouring pencil merchandise.”
Ivy-Elizabeth Sheer Curle
Job: Apprentice Quantity Surveyor – Kendall Kingscott
“I have been working as a trainee quantity surveyor for just over a year and am now transitioning into a formal apprenticeship. Growing up in the Devon countryside instilled in me a deep respect for the natural world, and I feel passionately that every construction project must prioritise environmental stewardship.”
She joined the RFWG “to challenge and expand my sustainable construction mindset”. She adds: “I’ve always been fascinated by how green building techniques shape project feasibility, I’m eager to engage with others in this space to refine my perspectives and explore emerging ideas”.
Inspiration: “Earthship: off-grid dwellings built from reclaimed materials, powered by solar arrays, and optimised for energy efficiency. The Brighton Earthship proves its design, including passive solar heating and cooling, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and rammed-earth walls, can succeed in a UK setting.”
Staff members
As the group progresses through the Responsible Futures criteria, staff will join meetings to align with each topic, ensuring students benefit from a broad range of perspectives.
Jessica Gordon-Calvert – Sustainability Officer and Responsible Futures Lead said:
“We’re excited to be part of the Responsible Futures programme again and work towards our fifth accreditation. A lot has happened since our last audit in June 2024 – least of all our name change to the University of the Built Environment! I’m thrilled to bring a group of students together again to help us to celebrate our achievements, to continue to enhance our sustainability credentials and provide students with an opportunity to lead and create in this area of work.”
Get involved
If you would like to be part of the Responsible Futures Working Group, please email sustainability@ube.ac.uk.
