Responsible Futures
Responsible Futures (RF) is a change-making programme and accreditation framework, co-led by students, staff, academics, and the students’ unions to embed sustainability across all aspects of education.
Host Partnership Event 2026
Harnessing the power of collaboration for sustainability
When: 6th May, 12:30-16:30
Where: Microsoft Teams meeting (virtual)
Register here.
Event description:
Join the University of Exeter, this year's Responsible Futures Host Partnership, for an afternoon of shared learning and forward-thinking practice in sustainability education. This interactive online event brings together staff and students in higher and further education institutions internationally to share experiences and envision new pathways in Education for Sustainability (EfS), with a focus on Communities of Practice, student-staff collaborations, and innovative teaching.
Responsible Futures accreditation
In 2024 Exeter, The Guild, and Falmouth & Exeter Students' Union were awarded joint Responsible Futures accreditation. This accreditation reflects the institutions and student unions’ shared commitment to embedding holistic sustainability across the formal, informal and subliminal curriculum. Exeter is the only Russell Group University to currently have full accreditation.
Professor Tim Quine Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) said ‘We are delighted to receive accreditation from Responsible Futures, which reflects our commitment to integrating sustainability and social responsibility into every aspect of the student experience at the University of Exeter. This recognition underscores the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, and community partners in creating a culture across our campuses that prioritises ethical leadership and environmental stewardship. While this is a fantastic achievement, we recognise that this is the first step in a long journey and we will need to maintain our sharp focus on sustainability and social responsibility in the years ahead. Our next step we will be to consider the recommendations Responsible Futures have made and how we can build them into our teaching to continue to be at the forefront of preparing our students to become the responsible global citizens our world needs today.’
Connie Chilcott President Exeter, Falmouth & Exeter Students’ Union said ‘The SU is glad to have earned the full RF accreditation, alongside the University of Exeter and the Students' Guild. Our collaborative and constructive partnership is one that challenges us all on what it truly means to act on the climate crisis, and to prepare our students for a livable, healthy, and socially just future.'
About RF
Responsible Futures approaches the institution as a whole, enabling partnership working to weave sustainable education into the formal, informal and subliminal curriculum. Supported by SOS-UK, the University has established a working group, made up of students, educators, union representatives, and more, to engage with the framework. The framework is comprised of a set of criteria supporting change from the top-down, bottom-up and middle-out, for a whole-institution approach to embedding sustainability in learning. It includes criteria in leadership, decision-making, staff support, community outreach, and student empowerment. This ensures a holistic, racially and socially just delivery of sustainable education, co-created by students, across all aspects of university life.
What we are doing:
The working group is currently:
- Preparing the submission for the audit in June 2026
- Analysing and sharing the results from the student and staff surveys, and from student focus groups.
- Reflecting on progress and looking ahead.
Our working group’s projects include:
- Student voice and partnering with students: Student interns coordinate the working group together with staff members. In the past year, they worked on increasing student representation in the working group and student participation has increased. Other students are also employed to work on short-term projects, and student feedback on student experience and views on sustainability education is collected through surveys and focus groups, to allow the wider student population to input.
- Collaboration with student unions: Collaborating with the Students’ Union and Students’ Guild on Responsible Futures and sustainability more generally, and supporting their agendas.
- Supporting staff: Surveying staff on their confidence and challenges in delivering a sustainable education helps us to better understand how staff can be further supported to integrate sustainability across the curriculum.
To join our working group or find out more please email s.a.m.agbenro@exeter.ac.uk.