Community, culture and impact

Professor Simone Buitendijk reflects on her first 15 months as Vice-Chancellor – and on the part the global Leeds community can play in realising the potential of the University’s ambitious new strategy.

Whether it’s the pride and commitment of our people or the stunning natural beauty of the Yorkshire countryside, this last year and a half has been everything that first drew me to Leeds.

It was strange to start a new job in the middle of a pandemic, but during this time I’ve witnessed an amazing institution at work, meeting the challenges of Covid-19 while remaining absolutely focused on playing a key role locally, nationally and globally.

There’s a real sense of pride here among staff, students and alumni which I don’t think I’ve seen at any other university. We have a shared knowledge that Leeds is a very special place: a strong, outward-facing community focused on making a positive impact on society.

All this is reflected in a new strategy that will guide our progress over the coming decade. It follows an extensive consultation with our entire community, including – of course – our alumni. The strategy sets out a vision for an institution that is led by its values, and harnesses the expertise, creativity and collaborative potential of all its people to help shape a more equitable and sustainable world.

It recognises two key things. First, that our planet faces huge challenges such as climate change, poverty, economic instability and inequality. And second, that research-intensive institutions like Leeds have a distinctive capacity for the large-scale, collaborative, global efforts that are needed to tackle these issues.

Impact is our most important product; our reward is not profit but making the kind of positive difference which the world so desperately needs.

Our work in climate change exemplifies this approach. We come at the problem from many different angles – climate science, engineering, social sciences, policymaking – all of which are strengthened by our partnership with institutions and agencies across the Global South. The questions of our rapidly changing world will not be tackled by experts in just one or two of these areas, but by all of them, in co-operation with each other and with other universities. I'm proud too of the University’s own commitment to achieving net-zero emissions in the next decade.

This culture of inter-disciplinarity extends across campus. Our work in health and medicine harnesses expertise from many different fields, with a determined focus on tackling disease and reducing health inequality. Our new Institute of Textiles and Colour, which draws on expertise in fashion, art, chemistry and sustainability – and has received generous support of the Clothworkers’ Company – is a unique selling point for Leeds.

I’m also proud of our commitment to the arts and humanities, areas that are under threat globally, but remain the subject of intense scholarly activity at Leeds.

It’s clear from the alumni whom I’ve met that our former students still feel a tangible sense of attachment to Leeds and a desire to be involved in our mission in the years ahead.

There are many ways that you can help, as ambassadors and supporters of the University – but there is one I would particularly like to mention. A key part of our strategy is to make our teaching and learning more closely reflect the world which our students will enter when they graduate. By sharing your experiences with them, through online mentoring, by giving careers talks or by offering placements, you can help them prepare for the world of work long before they graduate.

You can also learn with us. Digital technology is opening up a university education for more students, wherever they are in the world. Whether you wish to continue your professional development or explore new fields, we will be expanding our portfolio of online courses over the next few years to make our outstanding learning and resources accessible to all.

But something you can only really experience by being here is Yorkshire itself. Lockdown gave me the chance to explore this wonderful county, with its beauty that changes with every season. Even our city offers interesting and tranquil routes; I live close to the Meanwood Valley Trail and walk into campus from Headingley almost every morning. It’s a perfect way to clear my head. 

What did you think?