University of Birmingham
Empowering Evidence-based Policy through Interdisciplinary Action
Winner, Benefitting Society
Finalist, International
About
The Birmingham Plastics Network (BPN) tackle the plastics crisis through interdisciplinary research, public engagement, and policy influence. Their 2024 Policy Commission: A Future for Sustainable Plastics brought together experts from science, engineering, law, economics, and the arts to explore the full lifecycle of plastics and the complex systems that sustain their use and develop a set of well-informed, evidence-based, policy recommendations which promote a sustainable future for plastics in the UK. This spring, the BPN partnered with acclaimed theatre company Stan’s Cafe to bring those recommendations to life in ‘The Many Lives of PET #1, a thought-provoking tabletop drama about our relationship with plastic.’ Developed by Dr Kit Windows Yule with support from the Royal Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, and Lenovo, the production is part of a wider science communication initiative linked to the Policy Commission from the BPN. Their goal? To open public dialogue around plastic use, value, and disposal and share emerging policy recommendations through creative engagement.
Top 3 learnings
- No idea is too far-fetched!
- Working collaboratively across disciplines/sectors is a real game-changer
- Bring people on board as early as possible for the most success
What is means to win
To see the efforts of the Birmingham Plastics Network recognised for the University of Birmingham would mean a great deal. In just two years the University of Birmingham Plastics Network has grown its policy influence from very little to having direct engagement with Government as well as with the local community, fulfilling its civic commitment to the region. The work that has gone into this policy project has been above and beyond the original expectations for the Network and it could not have been successful without the hard work of the academics and professional services staff at the University of Birmingham who have supported it; it would be an incredible honour to be able to recognise these contributions with a successful application for a Green Gown Award for the institution. Furthermore, we hope that our policy work will be able to continue beyond what is outlined in this application, and winning a Green Gown Award will no doubt help us to build a case for the continuation of this work.
Sustainable Development Goals
| 2026 | |
| Benefitting Society | |
| Winner, UK and Ireland Finalist, International |
