2025 Grand Challenges Penryn
Challenge Overview
This challenge will only run on the Penryn Campus.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it”
– Robert Swan, https://www.robertswan.com
CHALLENGE: What can YOU do now about climate change and the biodiversity crisis?
Do you have an idea for a campaign? Do you want to set up a sustainable business?
Interested in leading community action? Can you influence changes in policy?
Climate change and the biodiversity crisis are the key challenges of our times – influencing global and local issues of political stability, migration, food production, technology development, local and national climate adaptation, etc etc. In this Penryn-based Challenge, we take a planetary health approach, exploring how we can live in balance with our natural environment for the good of both the planet and ourselves. Planetary Health requires a transdisciplinary approach – so we welcome (in fact need) students from all disciplines in Cornwall to take part.
In our Challenge we will explore what we can do right now: how we can support a more sustainable future; what actions can we take to drive change – small or large? What can we do to engage with others and how can we support them to live in better balance with nature? What are the inevitable changes we need to prepare for in the face of climate change?
To help us explore these issues, we will have a keynote speaker and specialists to inform our ideas and discussions. A transdisciplinary academic team will support our enquiry groups, and at the end of the week you will present your idea to a panel of independent experts.
Whether you are interested in the impact of AI on society, how a village addresses flood risk, how you can set up a campus recycling initiative, or how we teach children about the future without fuelling climate anxiety, how we influence policy on water quality, rewilding nature, or anything else, this challenge is for you.
This year, our enquiry groups are focused around types of action we and our colleagues can take around climate change and biodiversity, with the focus topic open for you to decide.
Each enquiry group will have specialist inputs to support you to develop your ideas and your skills in each area:
This group will focus on how to innovate for positive, sustainable change. Supporting you through the design, specification and presentation process.
This group will build the skills to engage and involve volunteers to create sustainable local action. Putting collaboration, engagement, stewardship and just transition as the building blocks the group will explore approaches to designing effective and inclusive community initiatives.
This policy and communication focused group will explore how to influence policy or run a campaign - understanding how to use evidence, how to achieve influence, and how to prepare resources to influence policy and decision makers.
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