Pitch It! challenges University of Kent students to improve the adoption of more sustainable behaviours in the Sibson building.<\/p>\n
Sibson<\/a>, the home of Kent Business School<\/a> (KBS), is the most sustainably built building on campus, however still faces challenges on being as environmentally friendly as possible. Stage 2 Marketing Research<\/a> students were set the challenge to research attitudes towards sustainability in the Sibson building and suggest ways to improve engagement with users.<\/p>\n Briefed by the University\u2019s Sustainability Coordinator, Emily Mason<\/a>, students split into groups to investigate attitudes towards single-use plastic, energy consumption and general awareness of sustainability issues.<\/p>\n Students carried out research in focus groups, performed observational studies of people using the building\u2019s caf\u00e9, lifts and revolving doors. Students also researched best practice in other universities and spoke to key figures at Kent<\/a> University\u2019s sustainability team<\/a>. Groups presented their findings to Marketing<\/a> Lecturer, Dr Rachel Duffy<\/a> with a shortlist making the finals to pitch to Emily Mason and Sibson\u2019s three Sustainability Champions.<\/p>\n The judges were impressed by the depth of the research and the innovative suggestions, several of which are now being considered for implementation in Sibson<\/a> as part of the University\u2019s FutureProof<\/a> programme. FutureProof aims to inspire the whole University to take action in ensuring that our estate, curriculum and students are ready for the future.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks to the market research carried out by the students we now have a wealth of ideas for interventions that we can trial at Sibson to improve the sustainability of the building and change people\u2019s behaviours. Those that are successful will go on to be used around the University and make a real difference. <\/em><\/p>\n We will need people from all disciplines to solve the sustainability crisis, so it is great to see marketing students using their skills to develop compelling resources and ideas that encourage everyone to engage with sustainability; change the way they see the world and most importantly, act.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Emily Mason, Sustainability Coordinator<\/p>\n Learn more about sustainable management on our undergraduate course International Business<\/a> and MBA<\/a> programme.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"