Butterflies, Bees and Broader Horizons
Cambridge Zero Programme Shapes Future Climate Leaders
Cambridge Zero and the Centre for Landscape Regeneration (CLR) welcomed the next generation of climate leaders in summer 2023 to support projects across the University from agricultural research to education.
The Cambridge Zero Future Leaders Programme (FLP) encourages students and recent graduates to explore green careers and contribute to the University's efforts to tackle climate change.
The fourth year of the programme welcomed nine Future Leaders to work across Cambridge for eight weeks from mid-July until September 2023.
Green Goals
Each Future Leader was tasked with planning and conducting their own projects and presenting their findings at the end of programme symposium.
Each project tackled different aspects of how climate change is affecting the planet and how Cambridge is addressing its challenges. Projects ranged from conducting vital agricultural research, to producing educational materials, incorporating climate change research into the undergraduate curriculum, cataloguing the vast amount of climate-related research at Cambridge and science communications.
The programme’s aim was to provide the opportunity for young people to acquire knowledge and skills, gain experience, and inspire them to think about a future in climate work.
Future Leaders Rosa Pollard Smith and Will Crook both worked on biodiversity in the Cambridgeshire Fens with the CLR to investigate how different styles of farming impact insects, with Rosa looking at butterflies while Will investigated bees.
Insects pollinate crops and improve crop yields. However, intensive farming practices can be detrimental to insects. Additionally, climate change places pressure on insects which are sensitive to weather changes. Conserving insects in the face of climate change, and alongside agriculture, is essential for creating resilient food systems.
Rosa and Will explored the theory that leaving connected corridors of wild land alongside intensively farmed areas, may be more successful for encouraging healthy and sustainable insect populations than adapting farming practices to become less intensive. It's vital that land is used effectively so that both farm and pollinators can thrive.
Rosa and Will hope that their findings will be used to help build climate change resilient food systems in the years to come.
"This programme has shown me that a career path bringing together my background in both agriculture and ecology is not only possible, but has the potential to be really impactful."
Will, Rosa, and Beth at RSPB Lakenheath
Will, Rosa, and Beth at RSPB Lakenheath
Agroecology Lab, Department of Zoology, Uni of Cam. Image Credit: Will Crook
Agroecology Lab, Department of Zoology, Uni of Cam. Image Credit: Will Crook
Real-World Outputs
Alongside developing future leaders, each project was intended to have impact.
At Cambridge Zero, Future Leaders set out to educate and engage communities to participate in climate action, from creating climate education resources to communication materials.
Future Leader Echo Lyu worked with Cambridge Zero Director of Strategy Stephen Davison to connect higher education networks to inspire collaborative climate action across the globe.
Edison Wan designed tailored social media materials to improve student engagement.
Ellie Austin spent the summer communicating the University's climate research through press releases and website features. Her work included the identification of more than 500 climate-related research projects at the University, from decarbonising steel to reforming international environmental policies.
Collaborating with cutting-edge researchers, green-industry alumni, and teaching academics, Shumona Nath created an Education for Sustainability Framework, which will be used to teach and inspire students on the new Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology undergraduate course.
“It’s given me such a real sense of what sustainability means in the real world,” said Shumona Nath.
Shumona Nath's conducting the student curriculum review
Shumona Nath's conducting the student curriculum review
Additionally, the findings of some of our Future Leaders' work will contribute towards peer-reviewed publications currently in preparation, and some of the first research results produced by the £10 million countryside regeneration programme at the newly established Centre for Landscape Regeneration (CLR).
"We were delighted to be part of the programme this year. Our Future Leaders were a crucial part of our research team over the summer and conducted high quality research," said Helen Driver, Research Programme Manager at the CLR.
"The most significant personal growth has been my realisation of where I could see myself in the future."
Edison Wan, 2023 Future Leaders Programme
Climate Careers
The programme also included weekly career seminars from inspirational speakers on their work and career histories, offering advice and insight.
Themes this year included atmospheric chemistry research, communications, sustainability consultancy and sustainable finance.
These seminars were also attended by students from the Centre for Climate Repair, Institute of Computing for Climate Science (ICCS), University of Cambridge Investment Management, Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations, and the Jesus College Intellectual Forum.
Lunchtime seminars for Future Leaders inspired them to think about a career in climate change, sustainability or environmental science.
“I didn’t have a clear idea of what kind of career I wanted, but now I’ve started looking into a career in natural hazard and disaster management,” said Shumona Nath.
Carabid beetle of the genus Poecilus sp. Agroecology Lab, Department of Zoology, Uni of Cam. Image Credit: Will Crook
Carabid beetle of the genus Poecilus sp. Agroecology Lab, Department of Zoology, Uni of Cam. Image Credit: Will Crook
Mastering new skills
From van driving and microscopy, to networking and interviewing, Future Leaders spent summer 2023 mastering new skills.
Reflecting on their time on the programme, the Future Leaders said they developed:
- Workplace confidence;
- Understanding possible career pathways;
- Practical research skills;
- Interpersonal skills;
- Knowledge of climate change, environmental science and sustainability;
- Communication skills.
Friendly Faces
"The programme was amazingly accessible. The immediate acceptance and understanding of needing support was incredible."
Rachel Hammond, 2023 Future Leaders Programme
"By the time the Symposium came around, I was bursting with pride for each and every one of our project assistants.
"I have no doubt they will become the leaders that we desperately need for the future of our planet."
Beth Simpson, FLP Programme Coordinator
and Student Engagement Coordinator at Cambridge Zero
The Future Leaders Programme 2024 will be open to applicants from February 2024. We are keen to welcome young people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Interested students can keep up to date with this and other opportunities with Cambridge Zero via our student mailing list.
Image Credit: Helen Driver
Image Credit: Helen Driver
Image Credit: Edison Wan
Image Credit: Edison Wan
Image Credit: Will Crook
Image Credit: Will Crook
Image Credit: Paul Casciato
Image Credit: Paul Casciato
Image Credit: Ellie Austin
Image Credit: Ellie Austin
Image Credit: Will Crook
Image Credit: Will Crook
Image Credit: Ellie Austin
Image Credit: Ellie Austin
Image Credit: Joe Higham
Image Credit: Joe Higham
Image Credit: Ellie Austin
Image Credit: Ellie Austin
Image Credit: Edison Wan
Image Credit: Edison Wan
Published 17 November 2023
Images credit: Beth Simpson, Cambridge Zero, unless otherwise stated
The text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Cambridge Zero is the University of Cambridge’s ambitious climate change initiative, harnessing the power of research to tackle climate change at one of the top global research universities in the world.
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