Kingston University
Bright Ideas for a more sustainable world
Finalist, Tomorrow's Employees
About
Bright Ideas is Kingston University’s annual ideas competition, open to all students and designed to develop enterprise and innovation skills. It supports students to identify real-world problems and turn them into innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions. Through a structured and supportive process, over 2500 students learn to question assumptions, understand diverse needs, and design responses to social, environmental, and economic challenges. The programme creates an inclusive environment where students from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds build confidence, expand networks, and grow social capital through engagement with peers, alumni, and industry. It embeds key Education for Sustainable Development competences, including systems thinking, anticipatory thinking, and creative problem-solving whilst engaging the industry and wider community. By combining creativity with critical thinking and practical application, Bright Ideas equips students with green skills across disciplines and the confidence to act as changemakers, capable of shaping more just, equitable, and sustainable futures.
Top 3 learnings
- We increase engagement and strengthen students’ ability to develop stronger ideas through early integrated support.
- We increase diverse participation and generate richer ideas by embedding green skills challenges directly within curricula.
- We create mutual value through external partnerships, enhancing student learning while contributing to industry innovation.
What it would mean to win
Winning this prestigious award demonstrates how our commitment to sustainability is empowering staff and students to act as change agents and in partnership with the wider community, contributing to a more sustainable future.
SDG
| 2026 | |
| Tomorrow's Employees | |
| Finalist, UK and Ireland |
More from the 2026 awards
Charles Sturt University
Restoring Nature, Inspiring Futures: 20+ Years of Biodiversity Leadership
Read More
Finalist, Nature Positive
Green Gown Award Regions
Australasia
