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Made At Uni
Made At Uni was a campaign bringing to life the impact of universities up and down the country on people, lives and communities.
UK universities are at the forefront of some of the most exciting discoveries and pioneering changes of the last century but many people think that all they do is teach.
That's why universities across the UK joined forces to launch MadeAtUni, a campaign to bring to life the impact of universities on people, lives and communities.
Lifesavers (2018)
We launched the MadeAtUni campaign in December 2018 to promote the public good of universities, and its first two phases of activity - The UK’s Best Breakthroughs and The Nation’s Lifesavers - generated 343 items of media coverage, reached 46 million people on social media, and attracted widespread support from a range of businesses, celebrities and charities.
Every day, UK universities are making a difference. They give back to their communities, transform lives and help to build a better future for everyone.
Becky Adlington
Olympian
You’d be amazed at how many of the things that make the world a better place were Made At Uni.
James Nesbitt
Actor
Energising Places (2021)
In July 2021, we launched MadeAtUni: Energising Places alongside British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) to highlight the role universities play in improving lives through sport and physical activity.
Following concerns over the impact of the Covid-19 on the nation’s activity levels, Energising Places showcases how communities across the UK benefit from universities’ sports facilities and innovative research.
The campaign was backed by Olympian Dame Katherine Grainger, who believes UK universities are vital to the country’s post-pandemic health and wellbeing recovery.
The pandemic has disrupted all areas of life, and our physical and mental wellbeing has suffered a great deal. The role universities play in bringing communities together to get fitter, healthier and happier will be more important than ever in the months and years ahead as we emerge and recover from Covid-19.
Dame Katherine Grainger
Olympian
From 2016 to 2018 universities invested £350 million in their sports facilities. With traditional leisure opportunities threatened by the economic impact of Covid-19, campuses and university staff are well placed to support government efforts to get the nation active again.
Creative Sparks (2022)
We launched the Creative Sparks campaign in January 2022 to celebrate universities' contribution to the UK's creative excellence.
Research conducted by Savanta ComRes for Universities UK revealed that nearly two thirds (65%) of parents agree that creative courses at university benefit the UK economy, while more than two thirds (69%) say that students gain vital creative skills at university which are essential to powering the UK’s creative industries.
Our campaign responded to this research, showcasing the creative talent produced by UK universities and encouraging the government to promote and support the importance of creativity and creative courses.
Universities across the UK nominated their own 'creative sparks', including Keith Chapman, Norwich University of the Arts alumni and creator of the Bob the Builder, and Cressida Cowell MBE, University of Brighton alumni and author of How to Train Your Dragon.
My career would not have been possible without the skills I learned and people I met during my time at university. If the government wants our creative industries to remain the best in the world, they must show they understand how important creative courses are to their success.
Keith Chapman
Creator of Bob the Builder and PAW Patrol
As part of the campaign, we ran a competition to showcase the creativity sparked at UK universities. We invited students and graduates to use an artform of their choice to depict 'creativity made at uni' and share a photo or video of the end result, tagging our @MadeAtUni social media channels.
Writer and University of Chester alumni Ruth Estevez judged the competition, and selected three fantastic winners: BA Architecture student Niamh Ashley, MA Architecture student Connor Buckler, and BA Filmmaking student Victoria Connell.
BA Architecture student Niamh Ashley won first prize for her installation art piece made from blue egg crates. Niamh aimed to spread awareness of gender inequality through her piece.
BA Architecture student Connor Buckler won second prize with his short film about life in Leeds before and after the pandemic.
BA Filmmaking student Victoria Connell’s poem ‘Halls’ won third prize. Her poem gave an honest and heartfelt account of living in university halls during lockdown.
Climate Action (2022)
Our Climate Action campaign showcased the bold and innovative climate action at UK universities.
The UK is a hotbed for game-changing climate solutions. But many people are unaware of how much is being done to tackle the climate emergency.
We surveyed 2,000 parents of children aged 16–18 years olds. Only 4 in 10 believe UK universities are equipping students with knowledge about climate change and only 49% believed that universities are researching solutions to the climate crisis. Our campaign aims to change this perception and show what UK universities are really doing.
Bold and innovative solutions to the climate crisis
Universities are working closely with their local communities, businesses, charities and policymakers to urgently develop climate solutions that benefit us all and generations to come.
The campaign is showcasing the projects and solutions coming from UK universities, from research and innovation to giving students the green skills they need to help tackle the emergency. These are just a few examples.
Building houses with waste
The University of Brighton is revolutionising the way we build with Europe’s first permanent public building made almost entirely from material thrown away or not wanted.
The building was constructed almost entirely by young people studying construction trades, architecture and design, with nearly 300 students working on the project. Brighton Waste House proves that there’s no such thing as ‘waste’ material – just stuff in the wrong place!
Using art to change perceptions
The University of East London has been using art as a powerful reminder of the problems climate change is causing right now – both around the world and on our own doorsteps.
Artist Michael Pinsky worked with students at the university to create the Pollution Pods, a set of domes designed to recreate the pollution of five cities around the world using air quality, smell and temperature. The pods toured cities across the UK, completing their tour at the international climate summit COP26.
Inventing climate-positive gin
In collaboration with Arbikie Distillery, Abertay University is putting the humble garden pea front and centre in the first-ever 'climate positive' gin. Their new gin, 'Nàdar', has a carbon footprint of -1.54 kg CO2e, meaning it removes more carbon emissions than it creates.