Sustainability at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology

The UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (IoN) Green Team reflect on how IoN is committed to raising awareness of sustainability and using its expertise, both academic and professional services, to tackle climate change.

ION sustainability initiatives and activities

EpilepsyClimateChange

Professor Sanjay Sisodiya is co-ordinating investigations of the impact of climate change on people with neurological conditions. To address these issues, Professor Sisodiya established a consortium of neurologists, scientists, epilepsy nurses, representatives from industry and charities supporting people with epilepsy, called Epilepsy Climate Change:

 “Climate change is with us. How will it affect people with epilepsy? How do we contribute to climate change in our professional lives? What can we do about it? EpilepsyClimateChange is hosting its first virtual conference to begin to address these important issues. Please join us so we can begin to plan and take action for a challenging future”.  

Epilepsy Climate Change hosted its first virtual conference in November 2021 and won PR Week’s ‘Favourite Campaign of COP26’.

IoN have also recently advertised a three-year clinical fellow post for epilepsy and climate change.

Sustainability events

The Institute held its first Green Day Symposium on 25th January 2021, celebrating initiatives at UCL and beyond. The virtual event was joined by nearly 120 UCL staff and students.

Find out more about Sustainability activities at ION on our intranet and website

Sustainability awards at ION

ION’s commitment to sustainability has been recognised at UCL’s annual awards ceremonies, including three Bronze, three Silver and two Gold LEAF awards, one gold and two silver office awards in 2021. Office Green Impact is led by Sarah Lawson, and LEAF is led by Steffy Czieso, who are both are members of the Faculty Sustainability Committee, alongside Sanjay Sisodiya.

ION sustainability pledges

The institute has made several pledges to complement the Faculty’s, including a sustainable travel policy effective 15^th February 2022: air travel for all UK-based business travel and any business travel to Northern Europe that is supported by Eurostar/ train links will no longer be reimbursed or permitted.

Sustainability roles at ION

In 2021 we appointed both our first Deputy Director for Sustainability, Professor Sanjay Sisodiya and our first Student Sustainability Ambassador, Heather Sampson.

Student sustainability

As the new Student Sustainability Ambassador for the IoN, Heather (MSc Clinical Neuroscience) will be working with the IoN Green Champions to improve student engagement and participation as well as help shape and build new sustainability projects.

‘We all have a responsibility to address the climate emergency, one of the biggest challenges of our time. The actions we take today to decrease our negative impact on the environment will directly influence the future of our planet. Together we can make change happen, so join us in creating a more sustainable IoN and UCL! I am very excited to work with the IoN Green Champions and encourage greater sustainability in the department’. Heather Sampson, ION Student Sustainability ambassador

Links

Find out more about Sustainability at ION on our intranet and website