Reflections from U21 School for Sustainable Policy Leadership

This June (2025) marked the successful launch of the first U21 School for Sustainable Policy Leadership, hosted by Lund University in Sweden. Designed for postgraduate students from across the Universitas 21 network, the week-long programme brought together a diverse group of future changemakers to explore sustainability, leadership, and global collaboration in action.

Alireza Parsa, a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at James Watt School of Engineering and a researcher in REACT’s pillar 3, was nominated to represent the University of Glasgow and joined over 40 participants from 17 Universitas 21 member universities around the world - fostering a dynamic and interactive environment for learning, discussion, and teamwork.

Participants heard from leading voices in the field through expert-led sessions, workshops, and group-based collaborative challenges focused on real-world sustainability issues. These workshops sparked rich discussions around leadership styles and understanding diverse perspectives to effectively communicate with those with opposing views, leading to more effective policymaking. They also visited UN City in Copenhagen, where they engaged with experts from the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre. Following presentations on their work and how it aligns with global and national climate goals, as well as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they explored compelling case studies, such as net-zero transportation initiatives in India and solar-powered irrigation systems in Uganda.

What made this summer school truly impactful was the interactive and collaborative atmosphere. The diversity of academic disciplines and global perspectives enriched every session, reinforcing how complex sustainability challenges require inclusive, cross-sector approaches and shared leadership.

At REACT, by promoting connections and dialogue at a global level, and by supporting companies and academics involved in electronic, photonic and material technologies, we move closer to our vision of transitioning to a circular economy and reducing emissions - as a Green Economy Centre.

Our colleague, Alireza Parsa