Stories of change

Learn more about the impact of our work.

ACU Summer School students pose for group photo

Meet the people at universities across the Commonwealth who are driving change across the world.

Higher education is transformative. It is the key to realising the potential of individuals, communities, and nations. From tackling plastic pollution to combatting gender-based violence, students, researchers, and staff at ACU member universities are creating waves of impact across the Commonwealth, each in their own way.

Our mission is to build a better world through higher education. We are proud to present this ever-growing collection of stories which offer a glimpse into the power of higher education to improve lives - from Simon Kiongo’s work on transforming food security in Kenya, to Midland State University’s work to close the gender gap for female researchers in Zimbabwe.

If you have a story of change to share, please contact us at communications@acu.ac.uk

F231fde1 6A88 4709 A490 7B6fc8bcab33 (1)
From passion to influence
Dr Ndubuisi Nwafor
Read Dr Nwafor's story
Freya Croft diving photo
Changing our relationship with the blue planet
Freya Croft
Read Freya's story
Salom headshot (zoomed in)
Finding local solutions to global problems
Dr Salom Gnana Thanga Vincent
Read Dr Vincent's story
Takunda Chitaka profile photo
We need to rethink the global waste trade
Dr Takunda Chitaka
Read Dr Chitaka's story
A Group Of Women
Developing women leaders in research
University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Find out more
Doris Akachukwu with stakeholders in Imo State
Healing poisoned lands using nature
Doris Akachukwu
Read Doris's story
Mercy Derkyi portrait
Lifting voices in the fight against climate change
Dr Mercy Derkyi
Read Dr Derkyi's story
Mavis Akuffobea-Essilfie
Climate action for women, by women
Mavis Akuffobea-Essilfie
Read Mavis' story
Peace and Reconciliation fellow Dr. George Mutalemwa stands next to Professor Gil at the inauguration of the Catholic University of Mozambique
Mainstreaming peace and reconciliation studies in Africa
Dr George Mutalemwa
Read Dr Mutalemwa's story
Associate Professor Of Gender And Development Studies, Grace Wamue Ngare At The Launch Of The SGBV App (2)
The professor of gender studies using tech to keep staff and students safe
Kenyatta University, Kenya
Find out more
Catherine Akinbami with palm harvest (1)
Building climate resilience, one community at a time
Dr Catherine Abiola Akinbami
Read Dr Akinbami's story
Midlands State University
Closing the gender gap for early career female academics
Midlands State University, Zimbabwe
Find out more
No Bystander Training2
No-bystander training for a safer city
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
Find out more
Training Workshop
Raising awareness of sexual harassment on campus and beyond
University of the South Pacific, Fiji
Read more
Andrea Clayton headshot
Driving forward a youth movement to clean up the oceans
Dr Andrea Clayton
Read Dr Clayton's story
Richter and stakeholders
Bridging cultural divides to build plastics-free communities
Dr Isabel Richter
Read Dr Richter's story
Rufino Varea in lab
Turning the tide against marine plastics pollution
Rufino Varea
Read Rufino's story
Headshot Of CSFP Scholar Monday Gala (1)
Shaping the fortunes of future generations
Monday Gala
Read Monday's story
Female QECS scholar stood with clipboard in field next to male researcher crouched down inspecting plants
Ending poverty amongst farmers once and for all
Judith Ahimbisibwe
Read Judith's story
QECS Scholar Masedi Talking With Hand Raised
Tackling the greatest issue of our time
Masedi Tshukudu
Read Masedi's story
QECS Scholar Walking Down Harbour
Helping to achieve zero hunger and marine sustainability
Margaret MacDonald
Read Margaret's story
QECS Scholar In Greenhouse Tending To Plants
Transforming food security in agricultural communities and beyond
Simon Kiongo
Read Simon's story
Woman Stood Infront Of Crowd Looking At The Camera
Tackling the taboo of sexual harassment
Mojibur Rahman
Read Mojibur's story