Kim Croasdale

and

Change Agents UK

The student (Kim Croasdale)

O University of Bristol graduate

O Currently working at the University of

Sheffield to improve their environmental

impact

O Frustrated by the lack of communication

between universities and external

organisations

The charity (Change Agents UK)

O Creating a force for a sustainable future

O Working with young

people, graduates, businesses and

communities motivated by sustainability to

create change

O Provide bespoke sustainability

recruitment, paid and voluntary

opportunities, training, career

advice, collaboration

The problemO Kim graduated with a First Hons from the

University of Bristol

O While at university, she:

O Completed the Bristol PLuS Award

O Held down a part-time job as an Event Manager

O Implemented an ink cartridge recycling scheme to

raise money for charity

O Kim was jobhunting for 9 months before being

hired…and she was one of the lucky ones

The problem (cont.)O Some organisations need research and

development to find out how to function

sustainably

O Others have huge amounts of useful data that

need interrogating

O They may not have the resources, staff or time

needed to do this while continuing to function

day-to-day

O Meanwhile students need impressive work

experience to compete for jobs

The solution

O Connecting higher and further education

students with external organisations to

carry out research projects in

sustainability

The diagram

Dissertations for Good

External organisations

Higher and further

education institutions

The diagram

Dissertations for Good

Outsource research &

development and provide work

experience for students

Have the opportunity to take

part in research with a real impact

The process

O Dissertations for Good

O An online platform where

students, academic supervisors and

representatives from EOs can create

profile pages

O Members can search for potential

collaborators based on area of

interest, location, institution, etc

O They can express interest to get in touch

The process (cont.)

O DfG checks both parties are happy to

release their contact information

O The two parties agree a research project

O DfG draws up an agreement to be signed

by both parties

O DfG facilitates the first meeting

O The research project is carried out!

The budgetItem One-off

cost

One year Two year

Project Officer salary

(based on £19,500

pa)

£22,220.19 £44,440.38

Web development £10,000

Web maintenance £1,200 £2,400

Travel £3,000 £6,000

Marketing &

promotion

£1,200 £2,400

Laptop & equipment £1,000

Project management/

core costs

£8,000 £16,000

Total £11,000 £35,620.19

+ £11,000

£71,240.38

+ £11,000

The investment

O The £10,000 from Virgin Money would go

towards developing the website to allow

us to attract future clients

O We have also applied to eaga Charitable

Trust and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation for

funding

Thank you