easyJet holidays
The easyJet holidays Sustainable Tourism Programme is an exciting opportunity to effect real change in a hugely important industry. Building on the success of last year the Lab will be focusing on two complementary areas: Local Impact and Strategic Impact.
Last year we focused on Local Impact by researching destination specific approaches to sustainable tourism. We will continue with this successful “bottom up” approach in this next year while introducing a complementary approach operating at a “top down” level. The Strategic Impact will be researching into how governments and the United Nations shape industry-wide practices.
In your application for the eJh Sustainable Tourism Programme please indicate which area you are interested in working on and why.
BMW
The BMW Group Plant Oxford Programme is a brilliant opportunity to work with one of Oxford’s largest employers. Those interested in this programme will be focusing on impacts in three areas: Climate, Colleagues and Community.
Climate impact will be researching how the BMW Plant can improve overall consumption and waste management. Colleagues will be focused on how the working environment, and the health and wellbeing can be improved for those working at the Plant. And Community will be working on how the Plant can best deliver the SDGs with engagement with the local community.
Rosberg Philanthropies
The Rosberg Climate Fellows is the SDG Impact Lab’s latest partnership programme, sponsoring students to work in collaboration with a range of businesses and NGOs. They will conduct research related to environmental and climate change issues and develop innovative solutions to tackle big challenges such as carbon capture, alternative fuels, and ocean plastic pollution.
The programme is the first major project funded by Rosberg Philanthropies, the non-profit run by sustainability entrepreneur and Formula 1 world champion, Nico Rosberg.
Applications for next years Lab fellowships will open in Michaelmas Term 2023
Inter-disciplinary learning
Our student Fellows are drawn from across the University. Although a majority come from the social sciences, our Fellows also come from humanities and sciences backgrounds.
Global challenges are complex and require inter-disciplinary solutions. In order to deliver those solutions, the Lab builds teams that transcend academic disciplines. This provides a rare opportunity for students to learn across disciplines.
Practical Skills
We have designed a unique 17-week programme, reflecting the 17 SDGs. Our curriculum aims to provide students with the transferrable skills needed to work with business and non-academic partners to deliver real-world change.
Reflecting on that, we cover three broad areas:
Ethics — How do we know what is right?
We offer coaching in responsible leadership, underpinned by values, purpose, and character.
Evidence — How do we know what works?
We provide students with applied research skills relevant to business, policy, and community engagement.
Engagement — How do we deliver impactful change?
We deliver training in project management, organisational change, and effective communication.
Our training sessions are delivered by an inspiring range of external speakers and Oxford faculty, including industry experts and academics. Past speakers have been drawn from senior leaders in organisations such as diverse as David Connor, Founder of 2030hub and Dr Dianne Regisford, Green Party candidate for the Oxford City ward.
Field-Lab placements
Central to the Lab experience is a 4-week field-based research placement in collaboration with a partner organisation.
The field-lab placements involve team-based research projects, designed by students in collaboration with the partner organisation, and culminating in the delivery of an implementable and evidence-based proposal relating to one or more of the SDGs.
For example, in our sustainable tourism partnership with easyJet holidays, these Field Labs have been in Mediterranean holiday resorts. In 2021-22, these were Majorca and Tenerife.
Year One - easyJet holidays Sustainable Tourism Programme 2021/22
Watch a recap of the Lab’s amazing journey over the first year (2021/22)
Diversity
Our cohorts are diverse in terms of background and experience. The Lab views diversity as a strength, that enables excellent, innovation, and creativity.