The 2017 ACU Summer School saw over 40 students from 27 member universities – including Chevening and Commonwealth Scholars – take part in an action-packed week of workshops, lectures, field trips, and group work projects at Bath Spa University, UK.

Highlights of the Summer School included trips to Avebury, Corsham Court and Avalon Marshes, and lectures from Professor Irma Eloff from the University of Pretoria, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, and Dr Martha Akawa-Shikufa from the University of Namibia. 

Attendees used their collective knowledge and experiences gained through the Summer School to work together on group projects. The brief asked scholars to present about one or more environmental topic using a creative form of expression, such as song or movement, in a way that was suitable for an audience of 16-18 year olds. Groups also had to submit a written communications plan, detailing how they would promote their idea.

From l-r: Professor John Strachan (Bath Spa), Kanza Islam, Khyati Tripathi, Temidayo Oniosun, Professor Christina Slade (Bath Spa), Terri Jacques (ACU), Margaret Cook, Mark Goldthorpe

The week ended on a high with students attending a formal dinner at Bath's famous Roman Baths, where the winning group project – 'Wake Up!' – was announced. The team used a mix of visual presentation, spoken word and online content to explore concepts of pollution and biodiversity loss.

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Joanna Newman, ACU Chief Executive and Secretary General, said 'The ACU is delighted that this year's Summer School has been such a success. It's been fantastic to bring together some of the brightest students from across the Commonwealth to benefit from the innovative work Bath Spa is doing in the environmental arts and humanities. The ACU is committed to supporting the mobility of staff and students, and the exchange of knowledge and ideas – ideals that are really brought to life through this fantastic interdisciplinary event.'

The ACU would like to thank Bath Spa University, UK, for hosting this year's Summer School.

Details of the 2018 ACU Summer School, which will be held at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, can be found here. Applications will open in November – register your interest by emailing [email protected]
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The ACU Summer School has been running annually since 2011 and is hosted by a different ACU member institution in a different country every year. Bath Spa University was selected to host the 2017 Summer School, out of a total of 18 proposals from universities across the Commonwealth.

The Summer School brings together 40-50 talented university students from around the world for an exciting, research-focused week of expert lectures, group work, field trips, networking, skills development and social events. Participants are selected following a rigorous application process, and the majority of successful applicants receive ACU-funded bursaries to enable them to attend. For the 2017 Summer School over 250 applications were received for 40 places.

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