Sustainability News
RGU is actively working towards a sustainable future, read some of the efforts we are making in that goal.
Published: 09 March 2026
RGU Students Achieve National Success at UNIFORCE Scotland Awards
Robert Gordon University (RGU) students achieved outstanding success at the UNIFORCE Scotland Awards securing first and third place.
RGU retains Cycling Friendly Campus
RGU has been awarded Cycling Friendly Campus status by Cycling Scotland for the 2nd time following a renewal of the award issued originally in 2021.
Published: 21 August 2025
RGU shines a light on how human factors can improve safety in offshore wind
As the offshore wind industry accelerates to meet global energy and climate goals, researchers at RGU have published a groundbreaking study aimed at supporting safety, wellbeing, and performance for wind technicians working in high-risk environments.
Published: 20 August 2025
RGU researchers to explore role of PV systems on historic buildings
RGU is part of a major research project that focuses on the best ways to integrate photovoltaic (PV) technology into Scotland’s historic structures.
Published: 14 August 2025
RGU research highlights the importance of staying positive ahead of giving birth
Up to 60% of women experience some fear about giving birth, especially for the first time, but a new study led by RGU shows why some women are more likely to stay calm and confident in the lead-up to childbirth.
Published: 15 July 2025
RGU launches new course for pharmacy technicians
Robert Gordon University (RGU) is to launch a new BSc (Hons) Clinical Practice for Pharmacy Technicians, the first of its kind in the UK.
Published: 03 June 2025
RGU report issues UK offshore energy industry jobs warning
A major new report from Robert Gordon University has warned that the UK risks losing tens of thousands of offshore energy jobs by 2030 unless urgent and coordinated action is taken immediately.
Cycling to a Greener Future: My RGU Commuting Story
Attending the cycling events organized by the RGU Transport Team has transformed my relationship with commuting. My name is Xiaoli Wang, and I work in the Estates Department at RGU as a Financial Administrator. Having been part of the RGU community for over a year, I have come to deeply appreciate the university’s commitment to sustainability and wellbeing.
Published: 22 May 2025
AI skills project impact to be highlighted at major workshop
The impact of an innovative digital literacy project led by RGU, which aims to improve young people’s understanding of generative artificial intelligence, is to be showcased at an event held at Glasgow’s Mitchell Library.
Meet Nancy on World Earth Day
Meet Nancy, our newly appointed Sustainability Manager, on what is World Earth Day (22 April)...
Published: 22 April 2025
MATE ROV winners to set sail for Michigan
Pupils from Mintlaw Academy will head off to Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary in Alpena, United States after winning the MATE Scotland ROV competition held at Robert Gordon University (RGU).
Vital contribution made by RGU research highlighted in Berlin
Professor Mamdud Hossain from RGU’s School of Computing, Engineering and Technology has been reflecting on a recent trip to Berlin where he was highlighting some of the research taking place at the University which is helping moves towards greener forms of energy.
Published: 27 March 2025
Opinion: Mineral (in)security? Inside the global need for minerals
Writing for The Scotsman, Professor Paul de Leeuw delves into the global need for rare earths and minerals amid political uncertainty, the race to net zero, and conflict across the globe...
Published: 12 March 2025
RGU honoured for public engagement efforts
Robert Gordon University's commitment to public engagement through sharing knowledge and teaching has been endorsed following the award of a prestigious Bronze Engage Watermark by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE).
Published: 14 February 2025
RGU team up with Aberdeen Science Centre to deliver net zero exhibition
Robert Gordon University (RGU) is to host an innovative net zero exhibition at Aberdeen Science Centre this month to encourage visitors to learn more about the North East’s energy transition and Scotland’s journey to a carbon neutral future.
Published: 11 February 2025
RGU researcher to launch innovative Parkinson’s exercise app
A researcher from RGU has been awarded £25,000 to develop an app based on her PhD research which aims to help the people living with Parkinson’s get active and stay active. The app will provide education, self-management strategies and goals to help people develop a long-term exercise habit.
Published: 05 February 2025
RGU Hack returns to inspire students
RGU Hack, the largest student-led hackathon in the north of Scotland, will be held at the University and this year it is open to learners from a variety of different disciplines.
Published: 20 January 2025
Centre of Excellence based at RGU turns 20
RGU has been marking the 20th anniversary of The Scottish Centre for Evidence-based Multi-professional Practice, a JBI Centre of Excellence. This milestone marks two decades of significant contributions to evidence-based healthcare.
Published: 15 January 2025
RGU expert on North Sea energy future taskforce
An independent taskforce has met for the first time to ensure the North Sea’s strategic transition from oil and gas to a renewable future, while safeguarding up to 200,000 jobs.
Published: 30 December 2024
Opinion: Sustaining global sustainability
Writing in Energy Voice, Professor Paul de Leeuw has set out the importance of maintaining the momentum towards a sustainable future as we move in to 2025...
Ten in a row for RGU
For the tenth year in a row, an engineering graduate from RGU has won the annual Energy Institute (EI) competition.
Published: 04 December 2024
RGU launch vast 55-acre biodiversity project
RGU has launched one of the largest biodiversity projects on a university campus in Scotland, aiming to transform a 55-acre site into a thriving habitat for both flora and fauna.
Published: 25 November 2024
Opinion: Delivering EU climate security
Writing in Energy Voice, Professor Paul de Leeuw, from RGU's Energy Transition Institute, highlights that efforts to meet emissions targets need happen at the same time as the establishment of a new international energy system...
Published: 25 November 2024
RGU launch new engineering scholarship with Harbour Energy
Harbour Energy has donated £15,000 to launch a new scholarship programme at RGU. The Harbour Energy Access Scholarship Programme aims to support females with strong academic credentials in taking their first steps towards a career in engineering and to address patterns of under-representation in technical disciplines in the energy sector.
Published: 30 October 2024
Engineering course secures prestigious accreditation
RGU's Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) in BEng (Hons) Engineering: Instrumentation, Measurement and Control has been accredited by the Institute of Measurement & Control (InstMC).
Published: 17 October 2024
RGU in new cyber security academic partnership
RGU is the first university in Scotland to become an academic partner of ISC2, which is the world's leading not-for-profit member association for cyber security professionals.
Pharmacy Lecturer makes presentation to Council of Europe committee
Dr Antonella Tonna, Senior Lecturer from The School of Pharmacy, Applied Sciences and Public Health, has written a piece on her online presentation about antimicrobial resistance at the European Committee on Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Care.
Published: 30 September 2024
Transforming CO2 into Sustainable Aviation Fuel for a net zero future
Air travel connects people around the world, but it also has a big impact on our planet. Right now, the aviation industry is responsible for about 3% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions over a billion tons every year. As we work to combat climate change, finding cleaner alternatives to traditional jet fuel is crucial.
Published: 20 September 2024
Latest league table gives RGU reason to cheer
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 has rated Robert Gordon University (RGU) among the very best in Scotland for its teaching quality and sustainability as the University continues to build on recent league table successes.
Published: 24 September 2024
RGU collaborates on hydrogen energy project
RGU and Sustainable Solutions IR Ltd, a green tech group company under energy rental firm Intervention Rentals UK Ltd, are working together on a new research project focusing on the development of hydrogen production from waste heat which could have major implications for the energy transition.
Published: 11 September 2024
RGU Students’ Union secures national award for outstanding student support
The students’ union of Robert Gordon University (RGU) has won an esteemed national award for its vital work in supporting students through the cost-of-living crisis to provide an outstanding student experience.
Published: 10 September 2024
RGU lands funding for Parkinson’s Augmented Reality project
Researchers from RGU have secured £100,000 in funding for a project to assess the impact of Augmented Reality (AR) on walking difficulties experienced by people with Parkinson’s.
Published: 05 September 2024
Latest RGU Startup Accelerator widens its net after funding boost
Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) latest flagship annual entrepreneurial programme has launched to a huge North East audience with the window for applications now declared open.
Published: 27 August 2024
Opinion: Fast-tracking the energy transition with ‘decaf gas’
Writing in Energy Voice, Professor Paul de Leeuw, Director of RGU's Energy Transition Institute has made the case that the energy sector can learn from another industry.
Published: 29 August 2024
Research highlights benefits of antenatal relaxation classes for well-being
A research study led by Robert Gordon University has shown that antenatal relaxation classes can significantly enhance the emotional well-being of expectant mothers.
Published: 05 August 2024
NSC in new partnership to shape stronger marine future
The National Subsea Centre (NSC), a centre of excellence for subsea research and technology development, today announced its newly formed partnership with NOC Innovations, a Southampton-based facility making cutting-edge marine research and tailor-made autonomous technology available to organisations around the globe.
Published: 29 July 2024
Opinion: Team GB Energy going for green gold
In the same week as the Paris Olympics will officially start, the UK government launched Great British Energy, the public energy company focused on advancing and delivering the UK’s clean energy ambitions.
Geothermal cooling system installed to cool Kenyan housing
In the second phase of their research, a team of RGU researchers travelled to Homa Bay in Kenya to install a geothermal cooling system which works by drawing in hot air, cooling the air in underground pipe and releasing it into hot rooms.
Ride to net zero: A year of successful cycling initiatives
2024 was the third year RGU received funding for a Campus Cycling Officer to support our journey to Net Zero. Current Campus Cycling Officer Bianca Anechite answers our questions about the initiatives she has led in the past year and their impact on the community.
Published: 06 June 2024
Opinion: Delivering our energy future - pathways to a ‘just and fair’ transition
After the release of the Energy Transition Institute's latest report, Delivering our Energy Future, co-author and energy expert Professor Paul de Leeuw has written a thought leadership on its findings...
Published: 23 May 2024
Geothermal system to be used to cool Kenyan homes
A team of researchers from Robert Gordon University (RGU) are leading an innovative project aimed at reducing heat stress for Kenyans living in informal housing by using a geothermal cooling system which pulls colder air from underground into their homes.
Published: 26 April 2024
RGU professor showcases hydrogen developments in Bolivia
A leading researcher from RGU travelled more than 6,000 miles to South America to highlight the potential of moving away from traditional energy sources to embrace the use of hydrogen.
RGU Grounds Equipment Goes Green
RGU’s commitment to net zero is being reflected in the introduction of new electric grounds equipment.
Published: 04 April 2024
Mintlaw Academy book place in Tennessee after MATE Scotland ROV win
Pupils from Mintlaw Academy have the won the MATE Scotland ROV competition held at RGU after impressing judges by successfully completing a series of underwater missions.
Published: 05 April 2024
Opinion: Energy Profit Levy extension disappointing for sector
Professor Paul de Leeuw from RGU's Energy Transition Institute has written in Energy Voice about the impact of the Energy Profit Levy also known as the windfall tax.
Published: 04 April 2024
NESA welcomes Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work
The National Energy Skills Accelerator (NESA) hosted Scotland’s Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work Gillian Martin in Aberdeen to discuss the success of NESA’s Just Transition Fund (JTF) project for the North East and Moray.
Success for pharmaceutical waste conversion study
Dr Mohamed Amish, from RGU’s School of Engineering, has published a paper on an important international project which involves converting pharmaceutical waste into an innovative drilling fluid additive.
Published: 20 March 2024
RGU students help Seaton school pupils cook up a storm
Dietetics students from RGU have partnered with Seaton Primary School to teach pupils how to cook quick, tasty meals and snacks while learning about the key nutritional benefits of a healthy relationship with food.
School of Engineering embraces Augmented Reality
Imagine having a giant jet engine right in front of you or being able to look at the intricate workings of a moving wind turbine without having to leave your seat.
Published: 05 March 2024
RGU signs MOU with KBTU to launch joint degree
RGU has strengthened its existing partnership with the Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create a joint degree programme.