Who we are

The Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability works to enable the University to understand, explain and deliver on its ambition to be a leading socially responsible and sustainable university.

The University of Edinburgh has promised to improve people’s lives and always protect our planet. We do this with our neighbours, partners, teachers, researchers, professional staff, technicians and students.

That means that the University will work to fight climate change, uphold human rights, and improve access to education and jobs.

Governance & Reporting

Transforming our university together

The Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability was created to help the University achieve its ambitions.

The first of our kind in the UK, we are here to help staff and students who want to change our University.

We work with almost every part of the University on programmes that help our neighbours, cut pollution, or ensure the wellbeing of the people who work on behalf of the University here and all over the world.

We look for new ways to tackle some of the most difficult challenges our world will ever face. We write down our plans, and report on how things are going.

What we do

Read more about what we plan to do in our four-year strategy:

Department for Social Responsibility & Sustainability Strategy - 4 Year Strategic Plan 2016/17 to 2019/20 (668.77 KB PDF)

Summary of who we are and what we do (1.72 MB PDF)

What you can do

If you work or study here, there are lots of ways you can get involved. You can volunteer, get training, or ask us for advice.

• Information for students
• Information for academic staff
• Information for staff

Contact us

How to contact our department and specific members of our team.

History

The University's mission to deliver impact for society is rooted in its unique history as a civic university.

Our programmes

We deliver high quality and impactful programmes to catalyse action and collaboration across campus and support the University in achieving its Social Responsibility and Sustainability strategy and related commitments.