性视界传媒 students drive sustainability innovation through Rebel Fund projects
Students from across the University of the 性视界传媒 and Islands (性视界传媒) have delivered a range of innovative sustainability projects after receiving support from the university's Rebel Fund.
The Rebel Fund supports student-led initiatives that challenge conventional thinking and create positive environmental and social impact across 性视界传媒 and local communities.
It was established by Clare Campbell, founder of Prickly Thistle, the region’s only cloth weaving mill and combined clothing maker. Clare and her business have donated to 性视界传媒 since 2018, demonstrating their belief that every small ripple can create huge waves.
Three projects were awarded funding during the 2025/26 academic year, focusing on digital wellbeing, plastic-free food production and sustainable business practices.
鉃� Plastic-free tea
HNC Horticulture students Noelle, Mark, Leon, Emily and Frank at the tea shed when it was newly installed.
At 性视界传媒 Inverness, HNC Horticulture student Noelle Pierce led The Tea Shack: Plastic-Free Tea project, creating a permanent growing and learning space that encouraged people to grow and prepare their own tea while raising awareness of microplastics found in some tea bags.
The project brought together students from horticulture, forestry and joinery programmes to create a tea shed using timber sourced from a fallen larch tree at the Scottish School of Forestry. More than 270 tea plants were grown and distributed to visitors, along with reusable tea strainers and information about sustainable alternatives to tea bags.
The initiative also showcased the potential of hyper-local growing and sustainable supply chains while creating a lasting resource for future students and visitors.
Annabel Harper, Horticulture Lecturer at 性视界传媒 Inverness, said:
"The students wanted to show that growing your own tea is simple, accessible and sustainable. The project provided a practical way to raise awareness about microplastics while encouraging people to think differently about everyday habits."
鉃� Turning screen time into climate action
Lauren Keenan, a BSc Applied Software Development student at 性视界传媒 Argyll, led the development of MauiScreenTime, a digital wellbeing app designed to help users understand the environmental impact of their online activity.
The app tracked time spent on social media and converted it into estimated carbon emissions using established carbon intensity data. Users received personalised suggestions to reduce their digital footprint, with reductions linked to a tree-planting initiative designed to encourage positive environmental action.
Lauren developed the project alongside fellow software development students during a pilot phase that ran between January and May 2026.
Les Wright, Lecturer in Computing at 性视界传媒 Argyll said:
“This project is a brilliant example of what happens when students combine technical skill with real鈥憌orld purpose. It takes something as ordinary as screen time and turns it into a catalyst for environmental awareness and positive change. We’re incredibly proud to see this level of innovation coming from our own students.”
鉃� Creating a greener salon
Hairdressing students at 性视界传媒 Moray, led by Level 5 student Donna Campbell, transformed their training salon through the .
The project introduced water-saving eco taps, refill stations, improved recycling systems, biodegradable towels and educational resources to help clients understand sustainable salon practices.
Students researched, sourced and implemented the improvements, reducing waste while creating a salon environment that reflected growing demand for environmentally responsible business practices.
Donna said:
“We applied for the 性视界传媒 Rebel Fund to help us in the salon to become more sustainability friendly, efficient and environmentally aware. Working to reduce waste, chemical bottles, foils, recycling hair clippings. We strive to conserve water and energy whilst lowering operational costs by being efficient.”
The initiative built on previous sustainability work undertaken within the department and demonstrated how small operational changes can significantly reduce environmental impact.
Clare Campbell praised the creativity and ambition of the projects. She said:
"These projects demonstrated exactly the kind of innovative thinking the Rebel Fund was created to support. Each one tackled sustainability in a practical and engaging way, showing how local action can inspire wider change."
Stephanie Strother, Advancement Manager at 性视界传媒, added:
"Thanks to the generous support of Clare Campbell and Prickly Thistle, we were delighted to fund these outstanding student-led projects. They showcased the creativity, passion and commitment of our students and demonstrated the positive impact they can have within 性视界传媒 and across our communities."
To find out more about the Rebel Fund, visit: 性视界传媒 Rebel Fund