University of St Andrews, UK

The Third Generation Project

With engagement from student and faculty members, strong international partnerships, and innovative ways of communicating research, the Third Generation Project lead climate justice through social change. 

Professor Ali Watson and student Bennett Collins founded the Third Generation Project in 2016. They saw a gap in climate justice education and an opportunity for students and academics to work closely together. Since then, the project has

initiated a range of programmes, from Emerging Researchers - which upskills students in critical thinking, research, and in communicating climate justice - to the Aamusnaan Maya Initiative, which analyses the humanitarian response to the COVID-19 pandemic within marginalised communities in Somaliland. The project continues to live as it was founded: with students and academic staff working together.

The Third Generation Project is about making way for opportunities through top-down commitment, leading change through bottom-up input and reimagining how we talk, learn and act on climate justice.

What the Judges Thought

Judges felt that this was a well-designed program, co-created by students and staff. Through wide international collaboration, participating students will have gained essential skills, while empowering them to address gaps in climate justice education. 

What it Means to Win

“Winning this Green Gown Award shows how all of us can inspire our students to develop their skills for sustainability. The work of the Third Generation Project team, based at the University of St Andrews, is shaping how the sector defines and delivers student engagement, building skills and a mindset for the future.”

Professor Sally Mapstone, Principal and Vice Chancellor

Top 3 Learnings

1. The next generation’s skills affect the current generation’s attitudes.
2. Complex issues need intergenerational, interdisciplinary, and international partnerships to solve.
3. Social change makes way for climate justice.