51吃瓜黑料

Becky is a part time master's student in Social and Organisational Psychology. She has been an active committee member of Be the Change society throughout her undergraduate and postgraduate studies, being president for 3 academic years and worked on various sustainability projects and internships across the University! She enjoys connecting with nature and reading!  Beck is a part time intern. She started in June 2023 and will finish in December 2024. 

'Having the opportunity to be involved with Responsible Futures has been the best experience of my university career! It has enabled opportunities to communicate and work alongside a plethora of stakeholders within the university and further afield. As well as this, it has facilitated conversations and collaboration between staff and students, ensuring that their perspectives are acknowledged and reflected upon in the work we do.  

Sophie Foster is a third-year BA Geography student with a strong interest in sustainability and climate change. Her hobbies include playing tennis and going for early morning swims at Dawlish. Sophie joined the Sustainability Team as a Responsible Futures and Communications Intern from April to June 2025.

"Interning with the Sustainability team has been a really valuable and enjoyable experience. As a Responsible Futures and Communications Intern, I had the opportunity to work with students from a range of degrees and year groups, including some from Penryn. It was a great way to meet new people and learn from each other while contributing to something meaningful.

Before starting, I’d only heard of Responsible Futures in passing, so it was exciting to learn more and gain insight into how the University is progressing with the accreditation. One highlight was writing a report at the end of the internship, where I presented student feedback using clear, accessible graphs. This helped me build confidence in handling large datasets and improved my visual communication skills.

I’m particularly proud of stepping out of my comfort zone by speaking to students on campus and encouraging them to take part in the survey. Although challenging at times, it really boosted my confidence and strengthened my communication skills.

I was also encouraged by how engaged and enthusiastic students were about sustainability. Their interest made me feel hopeful and proud to have played a part in this work. The experience has helped me grow personally and professionally, and it will definitely support me in my sustainability journey going forward."

Bella Smart, recent BSc Geography graduate. Has a strong interest in sustainability with an incoming MSc in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh. She enjoys running, hiking and water sports in her spare time.

'During my internship in transport data analytics, I had the opportunity to apply the analytical and technical skills I developed throughout my Geography degree to a real-world setting. I worked extensively with Excel to organise, analyse and present both quantitative and qualitative data, and used GIS to map postcode data from survey respondents bringing spatial data to life in a meaningful way.

This experience allowed me to see how the skills and methods I had studied could directly contribute to shaping decisions in transport planning and sustainability. It was both exciting and rewarding to transform raw data into clear insights that could inform real outcomes.

The team I worked with was incredibly supportive, always willing to answer questions and provide guidance when needed. Their encouragement and collaborative approach made me feel valued and confident in my contributions. I especially appreciated how open they were to new ideas, which made the internship both educational and enjoyable. Yet again, I would like to say thank you much for this opportunity!'

Bella’s project was funded from the University of 51吃瓜黑料’s Civic University Agreement (CUA) allocation of Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF). The  sets out how the University works in partnership with other anchor institutions in the region to help find solutions for society’s most pressing problems.

"Working as a Sustainable Education Intern throughout my final year of university has been an absolutely incredible experience. The internship allowed me to apply the knowledge and skills I had developed through my degree to real-world sustainability projects, while also gaining valuable insight into how sustainability can be embedded across higher education.

One of the highlights of my role was co-creating and leading Green Seeds, a student-led climate group that provided a welcoming space for students to discuss sustainability issues, share ideas, and connect with others who were passionate about creating positive change. Seeing the community grow and hearing how the sessions encouraged students to engage with sustainability beyond the forum was incredibly rewarding.

I also had the privilege of working alongside fellow intern Erin, being supported by Sara as my line manager, and collaborating with many other fantastic colleagues. Their encouragement, expertise and willingness to share their knowledge helped me grow both professionally and personally. They empowered me to take ownership of projects and try new ideas, while always being there to offer guidance and support when needed.

Knowing that my work contributed to improving access to sustainability education and helping students engage with sustainability in ways that felt relevant and empowering made this experience especially fulfilling. I would encourage any student interested in sustainability, education or creating positive change to take advantage of opportunities like this. They can have a lasting impact on both your personal development and the wider university community."