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University of Nottingham > 100 Ways to change the world > Community

Photo of painting from the exabit

Building Beyond the Classroom with hands-On Architecture

The University of Nottingham's design/build studio, established in 2009, addresses the need for responsible architecture and social impact through hands-on student involvement. In response to the challenges faced by rural communities, projects like the Monang PreSchool in South Africa enable students to design and construct real buildings over six weeks. This approach bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical implementation, equipping future architects with the skills to meet community needs while fostering sustainable development.

Photo of painting from the exabit

Exploring the power of art in wellbeing

People in the BAME community worked with artist Andy Farr to share their experiences of mental health. With partners Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service, NHS Talking Therapies and the Indian Community Centre Association, the project explores the potential of art in non-medical therapeutic recovery.

Photo of vegetables in a store.

Tackling food poverty in our communities

The cost-of-living crisis has increased food poverty in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and put more strain on ‘more than food’ services. Our research is helping local authorities better understand the role of community kitchens, social eating groups and school holiday clubs in addressing this challenge.

Graphic of sustainability action week.

Sustainability Action Week

Every year the university dedicates a week of activities and events for staff and students highlighting some of the environmental and social issues we face across our campuses and how we are taking action to resolve these issues.

Photo of science in the park exhibitor.

Science in the park

It’s important to promote discovery, curiosity and questioning around science at an early age. Science in the Park engages with the local community, inspiring future generations of scientists

Photo of third-year learning disability nursing student from the University of Nottingham, Ellie Sims.

Improving accessible communication

Makaton is used by children and adults with communication and learning difficulties and often healthcare professionals may only have a basic understanding. Ellie Sims has developed a document containing simple signs and symbols that can be used by anyone working in healthcare and has won a national competition, run by Positive Choices and the Makaton Charity and her resources will be rolled out across the country.

Human rights in a digital world: pause for thought

Todd Landman and Ben Lucas, Managing Director of 3DI at the University of Nottingham, explore the global impact of digital advancements on human rights. They discuss inclusive financial technology, leveraging data for good, protecting freedom of thought in the digital age, and the need for ethical regulations. This research emphasizes the importance of balancing technological progress with human rights, ethics, and accountability to make a positive impact worldwide.

Photo of robots outside store.

New study finds invisible ‘human work’ allows robots to deliver

Amid the surge of autonomous delivery systems, a critical challenge emerges: the unnoticed human efforts essential for these robots' seamless function in public spaces. However, by spotlighting the pivotal role of human-robot interaction, new research by the University of Nottinham not only addresses this challenge but also paves the way for effective policy and design interventions, ensuring the successful integration of autonomous delivery systems globally.

Purple background with text reading ' Inclusive by design' and Faith and belief

Reflecting on responsible research and innovation: placing people, practice and projects in the picture

Dr. Alan Chamberlain explores the intricate landscape of responsible innovation in global settings, addressing hurdles like varied perceptions of responsibility and concerns about potential consequences. His advocacy emphasizes inclusive dialogue, cultural awareness, and leveraging technology to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, ultimately striving for positive transformation and the advancement of responsible practices worldwide.

Photo of researcher wearing hair net in the Food Innovation Lab taking a baking tray out of the oven.

New alternative food sources

Almost 18% of employment in the East Midlands is directly linked to the food chain. New investment will enable collaboration with businesses to develop alternative protein foods including cultivated meat, plant-based, and insect-based products.

photo of the banner with text bubbles reading 'hi! wave emoji''I'm a talking railing''Chat with me to help tackle climate change in Nottingham'

Talking lamp posts, benches and bins come to Nottingham for new environmental project City as Lab is UoN projec

The University of Nottingham and Nottingham City Council have teamed up with creative research company, Hello Lamp Post, to introduce interactive, playful, talking street furniture that will explore attitudes to climate change and sustainability.

Committed to public engagement

Committed to public engagement

The University of Nottingham has been awarded a prestigious Silver Engage Watermark by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE). The watermark recognises the university’s commitment to involving the public in its work and the sharing of knowledge, teaching, and research.

Improving maths education to change lives

Improving maths education to change lives

We are establishing an Observatory for Mathematical Education, which will generate data-driven research to support the national improvement of mathematics education, from the start of school to post-graduate level, with the potential to improve lives of people now and in future generations.

Power to the people: a model for green cities

Power to the people: a model for green cities

Nottingham’s Trent Basin housing development is a model for community energy schemes. A partnership between scientists, developers, industry, the energy supply chain, city council and residents, it features hundreds of low-carbon homes and Europe’s largest community battery.

Student creates foodbank cookbook

Student creates foodbank cookbook

For families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, dietetics student Sophie Conant created simple recipes featuring ingredients commonly provided by foodbanks. The nutritious recipes have been designed to be cooked using just a kettle or microwave.

Slavery: the end is in sight

Slavery: the end is in sight

The Rights Lab, the world's leading group of modern slavery experts, is dedicated to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7: end slavery by 2030. Our research will be key to freeing 40 million people across the world.

Inspiring young people to achieve

Inspiring young people to achieve

Our partnership with IntoUniversity is inspiring disadvantaged young people reach their potential. We have supported almost 17,000 pupils in Nottingham to do well at school and achieve, through mentorship and providing places to learn and explore.

Hope for young refugees

Hope for young refugees

Increasing numbers of child refugees led to our experts setting up a multi-stakeholder group to help bring displaced young people back into education. The Hub for European Refugee Education informs policy, supports educators and builds hope by promoting integration and inclusion.

Cleaner cooking, healthier lives

Cleaner cooking, healthier lives

Inhaling smoke from cooking on wood fires or stoves causes ten times as many deaths as malaria. Such smoke is also a leading source of CO2 emissions. Our Clean Cooking project in Malawi explores sustainable technologies to reduce this toll on people and the planet.

Protecting communities against the risk of flood

Protecting communities against the risk of flood

The risk of flooding is becoming ever more serious, both in the UK and across the globe, and the challenge of protecting our homes and cities is becoming increasingly important. We work with communities to protect them against flood risk and make them greener, healthier places to live.

Hungry for words: raising awareness of eating disorders

Hungry for words: raising awareness of eating disorders

Eating disorders are serious and complex psychiatric disorders, and they can prove fatal – anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all mental health conditions. Our research has created a bridge between science and the arts and humanities to help address this challenge. We help people, who may be struggling to express their fears, find a voice and feel listened to, while our findings inform the responses of healthcare practitioners.

Supporting maths education in the local community

Supporting maths education in the local community

Our School of Mathematical Sciences and the East Midlands Education Trust have teamed up to encourage more students from under-represented backgrounds to study STEM subjects. The University of Nottingham Maths School is open to 16–19-year-olds and aims to increasing diversity and widen opportunity within the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Improving the lives of captive elephants

Improving the lives of captive elephants

Our research has improved the lives of elephants held in captivity worldwide. Dr Lisa Yon of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science was tasked by the UK government to work in partnership with UK zoos and safari parks to better understand how to improve the welfare of the elephants in their care. She led the development of a tool that lets zookeepers, mahouts, and other animal managers use an elephant’s behaviour to judge their welfare. Captive elephant facilities worldwide are starting to use this tool to monitor and improve their elephants’ welfare.

Clean energy for communities in Kenya

Clean energy for communities in Kenya

In Kenya, we’re exploring how schools could serve as clean energy hubs, generating, storing and distributing sustainable power, while promoting education and awareness of sustainability and acting as a model of empowerment for low-income communities.

Campus shelter for the homeless

Campus shelter for the homeless

Working with local charity Emmanuel House, the university provides an on-campus winter shelter for people affected by homelessness. Last winter, we provided almost 4000 nights’ protection for more than 100 people.