Students
There are many ways to get involved in sustainability at UCD, whether you're looking to connect with like-minded students, volunteer for hands-on initiatives, launch a project or lead a campaign. No matter your interests or background, there’s a place for you in our growing community.
Join a Student Society or Collective
(opens in a new window)Societies are a great way to meet people, build community, and take part in fun, meaningful activities. Below is a partial list of student societies and links to their website page or social media accounts.
(opens in a new window)UCD Sustainability Society (Sus Soc)
A cross-disciplinary society that brings together students from all areas of study to explore sustainability in creative, practical, and social ways.
They host events like beach clean-ups, repair cafés, sustainability formal dinners, and Climate Chats—casual coffee mornings open to anyone who wants to explore sustainability topics in a relaxed space. Ideal for students seeking both community and action. Instagram: (opens in a new window)@(opens in a new window)ucdsusoc
Pictured right: Members of Sus Soc on a Beach Clean in 2024.
(opens in a new window)UCD Horticulture Society
Founded in 2014, this welcoming, nature-loving society brings together students from all backgrounds, no horticulture or science experience required. Members grow organic fruit and vegetables in the UCD Community Garden, host social events like coffee mornings and movie nights, and run hands-on workshops in gardening, composting, beekeeping, and more. Perfect for anyone who enjoys plants, fresh air, and a friendly community. Instagram: (opens in a new window)@ucd_hortsoc
UCD Fair Fashion Collective
Advocates for ethical and sustainable fashion through awareness campaigns, upcycling workshops, and creative activism. Past activities include clothes swaps, panel discussions with sustainable brands, and styling events. Great for anyone interested in reducing textile waste or exploring slow fashion. Instagram: (opens in a new window)@ucdfairfashion
Pictured left: Members of UCD Fair Fashion Collective at a 2025 panel event with advocates Megan McGuigan, Aisling Murphy and Rion Hannora.
(opens in a new window)UCD Planning & Environmental Policy Society
Connects students passionate about planning, policy, and environmental management.
Hosts talks with industry professionals, collaborates with other societies, and explores urban sustainability issues. A strong fit for students interested in the intersection of environment, cities, and governance. Instagram: (opens in a new window)@ucd.pepsoc
(opens in a new window)UCD One Health Society
An interdisciplinary society connecting students from veterinary, medical, nursing, agricultural, and environmental sciences—and anyone interested in the links between human, animal, and environmental health. They host talks on topics like antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic diseases, and pandemics, as well as practical workshops in anatomy, suturing, and wildlife care. Past activities include visits to Seal Rescue Ireland and hosting speakers such as Temple Grandin. Perfect for students who want to explore health and sustainability across multiple disciplines. Instagram: (opens in a new window)@onehealthucd
Pictured right: Members of the One Health Society on a visit to UCD's Rosemount apiary.
Take Part in Campus Initiatives
If you're interested in sustainability beyond societies, UCD is home to inspiring, student-powered initiatives.
(opens in a new window)UCD Greenacre Sustainability Hub
A shared space where students, staff, and alumni grow vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers—while building community and learning sustainable living skills. Opportunities include composting, planting, harvesting, signage design, biodiversity projects and running workshops. Explore the project growing mushrooms on used coffee grounds and other interactive activities. Perfect for anyone who wants to get outside, learn practical skills and connect with others. Sign up to volunteer by contacting Head of Greenacre Sustainability Hub, Thomas Macagno: thomas.macagno@ucd.ie or Head of the Community Garden, Kirsten Southard: kirsten.southard@ucd.ie
UCD Circular
A student-led circular economy project running The Corner, a clothing swap space in the Newman Basement (open during the academic term). Students can donate or take clothing, use a repair station and browse the Borrow Rack for professional wear to use for interviews, internships, and first jobs. They also host regular repair cafés, reuse workshops and awareness campaigns around waste reduction and collaborate with the UCD Students’ Union on the annual Slow Fashion Show. Perfect for students passionate about practical, peer-led climate action. Sign up to volunteer by emailing ucdcircular.team@gmail.com. Instagram: @ucd_circular
Pictured left: Members of UCD Circular, Juliette Garden and Isabelle Hardgrave.
UCD Campus Assistants – Sustainability and Wellbeing Option (Paid Role)
Campus Assistants are part-time paid roles within the UCD Estate Services team, supporting those living and studying on campus. As part of the Wellbeing Team, Sustainability and Wellbeing Campus Assistants help build community by running events and experiences, while also assisting with operational duties such as delivering post, carrying out fire checks, and supporting events across residences and the wider campus.
In this role, you’ll have a specific focus on promoting sustainability within the residences—organising themed events and supporting campus-wide environmental initiatives. Applicants can request to join the sustainability-focused team, but final team assignments are made by the hiring team.
Recruitment usually opens in Trimester 2 for the following academic year.
Pictured right: Campus Assistants 2024.
Connect and Collaborate
UCD also offers informal, inclusive events where you can connect with others, share ideas, or simply learn something new.
Earth Institute Coffee Mornings
A weekly tradition since 2017, these Thursday gatherings are a central part of the Earth Institute’s community life. Each week during term, you can hear short, informal talks on new environmental, climate, and sustainability research and initiatives—featuring speakers from UCD and beyond. Held in the Earth Institute kitchen (4th floor, UCD Science Centre) over coffee and cake, with a live Zoom option for those joining remotely. Perfect for anyone who wants to stay inspired and connected to the latest ideas in sustainability. Check Earth Institute Events.
Pictured left: Earth Institute journalist-in-residence Lauren Boland, news reporter at The Journal, speaking at a 2024 coffee morning.
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(opens in a new window)UCD Citizen Science Community of Practice
A network for students, staff, and researchers interested in involving the public in meaningful, participatory science. This community provides a space to share ideas, hear from practitioners and experts, access resources, and collaborate on projects that connect research with real-world impact.
Workshops and discussions cover topics from biodiversity monitoring to health surveys, and members can tap into a library of case studies, tools, and guidance on best practice.
Perfect for anyone who wants to explore how research can be co-created with citizens, civil society, and end-users. Join the (opens in a new window)mailing list.
Pictured right: Teagasc tree improvement specialist Dheeraj Rathore leads UCD citizen scientists on an 'Ash Walk' on campus after a 2025 (opens in a new window)Ash for Future workshop. Watch our UCD Sustainability summer intern Kendra Paleczny interview Dheeraj here.
Climate Chats (Sus Soc)
Casual, student-run coffee mornings open to anyone who wants to talk about climate and sustainability in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Conversations can range from personal eco-habits to big-picture policy debates, no prep or prior knowledge needed!
Run by the UCD Sustainability Society, these chats are a great way to meet like-minded students, share ideas, and learn from each other over tea, coffee and pastries.
Perfect for students who want connection and conversation without the formality of a lecture.
Instagram: @ucd_climate_chats or @ucdsusoc
Innovate and lead
(opens in a new window)Student Sustainability Ambassador Programme (NEW for 2025–26)
Two paid part-time roles (8–10 hrs/week, September–May) working directly with the UCD Sustainability Unit.
- Communications Lead – creates engaging sustainability content for web and social media.
- Events & Engagement Lead – plans and delivers student sustainability events, supports campus-wide initiatives, and works with student societies and other partners.
Ambassadors act as a bridge between the UCD Sustainability Unit and the wider student body, helping to connect top-down strategies with grassroots student action.
Details on how to apply for each academic year will be announced in the second trimester of the year before.
Pictured right: Poster advertising the Student Ambassador Programme 2025/26 (now closed).
UCD Sustainability Working Groups
UCD Sustainability has four core working groups that research, consult and make recommendations for action in the areas of:
- Education, student experience and professional development
- Research, innovation and impact
- Operational integration
- SDG engagement and impact
Each group includes academic representatives from every UCD College, as well as professional staff and student members. Perfect for students who want to contribute ideas, shape university policy and collaborate with staff and peers on long-term sustainability goals. Interested in joining? Places on the Core Working Groups become available periodically and you can register your interest at (opens in a new window)vpsustainability@ucd.ie. You might also like to get involved with our Affiliated Groups by contacting them directly.
(opens in a new window)UCDSU Environmental Coordinator (Volunteer Role)
An elected position within the UCD Students’ Union Campaigns Forum, leading on environmental and climate issues. Responsibilities include planning campaigns, organising events, collaborating with societies, and reporting progress at SU Council.
It’s a valuable opportunity to gain experience in coordinating projects, representing student interests, and working within a democratic decision-making structure.
Perfect for students passionate about grassroots change, advocacy, and leadership.
Pictured right: UCDSU Environmental Coordinator Erin Hoare receiving the UCD President's Award for excellence in student activities from Professor Orla Feely, 2025.
NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition
Have a bold idea for a sustainability solution? This 4-week programme helps students turn early-stage ideas into impactful start-ups. Undergraduate and postgraduate teams take part in workshops, mentoring and pitching sessions led by industry experts. Whether your idea is environmental, social or tech driven, NovaUCD is the place to build it.
NovaUCD also supports students to enter the (opens in a new window)Hult Prize, the world's largest student social entrepreneurship competition. This year-long programme sees student teams develop for-profit startups focussed on tackling global issues with the ultimate goal of winning $1 million in seed funding. Find out about UCD's 2024 Hult Prize finalists Bean Around here.
Pictured left: Members of the UCD Bean Around Team, Hult Prize finalists 2024.
Funding Opportunities
If you have an idea for a sustainability initiative you would like to action, find out about funding opportunities here.
There were seven successful student-led projects selected in the first round of UCD's Students for Sustainability schemes in 2024. From participatory food system mapping and sustainable fashion events to creative campaigns on biodiversity, climate awareness and the circular economy (more details below) each project received up to €1,000 to drive positive change on campus and beyond. You can read about them here.
As well as the specific student-led initiatives programme, students can collaborate with staff on the 'sustainability initiatives' programme - so feel free to reach out to staff to suggest project ideas to co-develop.
Pictured right: Students whose initiatives were funded in 2024: Hannah Murray, Kendra Paleczny, Patrick Elliott, Katelyn Haubert, Darren McDonald, Erin Hoare, Emily Lawless Greene.
Additional Opportunities
Below are additional opportunities for UCD students to get involved in some of the work being done to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.