Future global sustainability leaders meet for the first time

More than 200 recipients of a new, award-winning scholarship created by the University of Reading were welcomed to campus last week.

Students selected for the Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship gathered at the Great Hall on Thursday, 25 September, where they were greeted with speeches from Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort, Chancellor Paul Lindley, and Dr Jon Dewsbury, Director of Education Estates & Net Zero at the Department for Education.

As one of the UK's largest-ever sustainability-focused undergraduate scholarship programmes, the £34 million scheme will create a community of future global sustainability leaders. Throughout their undergraduate studies, each scholar will receive funding and development opportunities to drive positive environmental change in their chosen field.

Speaking at the welcome event, Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort said: “We must bring together knowledge, experience and understanding from across our broad range of disciplines.

“We need historians who understand how societies have adapted to change. Artists who can inspire others to see the world differently. Economists and social scientists who can develop workable policies that help communities to adapt. Psychologists who can help us understand and influence how people may adopt more sustainable behaviours. Computer scientists who can harness new technologies for good. And so much more besides.

“The scholarship you've earned is just the beginning. Over the coming years, you'll develop competencies through a series of experiences designed to transform knowledge into action.”

Paul Lindley, Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “When we look at the sustainability challenges facing our world today - climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity - it's easy to feel overwhelmed. The scale can seem impossible, the timeline urgent, the stakes nothing less than the future of our planet.

“But standing here in our Great Hall with all of you today, I feel something else entirely: hope. Tonight, we're not just welcoming new students, we're welcoming those who have the potential to lead the way towards a more sustainable future for us all.”

• Read the Chancellor's reflections on the event in his blog

Climate education for all

The scholars’ arrival comes after the University of Reading was named The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year for Scholarships and Bursaries 2026.

More than 240 students have been chosen as Global Sustainability Leaders Scholars in the first year of the scheme, which entitles them to £6,000 a year for up to four years of full-time study on their course for maintenance and living costs.

The programme represents a £34 million investment from the University of Reading, with up to 400 scholarships due to be offered every year.

Scholars will receive access to opportunities including:

• developing knowledge and leadership skills relevant to addressing climate and nature issues
• taking positive action for sustainability
• building relevant networks
• engaging in cross-disciplinary learning and activities
• being part of a growing community of global sustainability leaders of the future
• careers support and the potential to enhance your employability.

Students who are not recipients of the scholarship can also receive exclusive free climate education as part of a new online course launched by the University of Reading. ‘Advocating for a Better Planet’ launches on Monday, 6 October and is free for all students to enrol in.

The course is designed to help students explore the issues they most care about and to identify one step they can take to make a difference. Students will research and plan an action to address and advocate for a sustainable or climate-based challenge.

Over three sessions, participants will develop a ‘headline statement’ for their chosen issue, research the causes and effects behind it, find an intervention point for acting, develop a stakeholder and feasibility analysis and finally create their advocacy plan.

Find out more about how the University of Reading is Partnering for the Planet.