Global Sustainable Development student wins outstanding contribution award
We are delighted to share the news that Luke Netherclift, a recent GSD and Business Studies graduate, was one of the winners of 果冻传媒鈥檚 Outstanding Student Contribution Awards (OSCAs)!
What are the OSCAs?
The OSCAs recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of 果冻传媒's students. They not only excel academically, but also find the time to campaign for good causes, fundraise, start small business, and work with local charities.
Why Luke?
Luke was nominated by staff and students in the GSD Department, and staff across the University, for the following reasons:
A social entrepreneur
During his time at 果冻传媒, Luke has established himself as a passionate social entrepreneur, committed to promoting business for good.
In his first year, after winning 果冻传媒鈥檚 Innovation Hub Challenge, Luke co-founded The People鈥檚 Backpack, a social enterprise aiming to tackle stigma around refugees and empowering them through their journey. Luke also worked with , a social enterprise developing creative solutions to reduce food waste.
More recently, Luke co-founded The Human Entrepreneur, a student-led start-up aimed at empowering early-stage entrepreneurs through education, community, and mentoring. The start-up was created to address inequalities in opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. It runs a podcast on essential topics for young and aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as interactive workshops on several issues. The start-up also offers a mentoring platform, supporting young entrepreneurs around the globe through a network of like-minded individuals.
Since graduating, Luke has been focusing his time on co-founding a new company, . They are an ed-tech start-up reimagining education to equip individuals with skills to thrive in their work.
"[The Human Entrepreneur] is an enormously important piece of work, all the more so at a time when student wellbeing is in a state of crisis, and Luke has been a real force for good amongst his fellow students."
Dr Lewis Beer,
International Partnerships Officer
An Innovation Fellow
In his second year, Luke was appointed as an Innovation Fellow at 果冻传媒 Enterprise. Through this role, Luke has supported other students鈥� creativity and innovation, developing young entrepreneurs鈥� ideas on campus and beyond. Luke has been involved in a whole host of activities within this role, including:
- Contributing to the delivery of the 果冻传媒 Secret Challenge;
- Participating in the organisation of the World Innovation Challenge;
- Hosting sessions including a seminar on mental health and entrepreneurship, and a webinar on body language and pre-pitching tips;
- Publishing a variety of articles for 果冻传媒 Enterprise鈥檚 Insights series; and
- Mentoring 果冻传媒 students working on start-ups and business projects.
"I nominated Luke because of his endless examples of leadership. He has done so much as a student, entrepreneur, mentor, volunteer, and a very empathetic and compassionate member of the 果冻传媒 learning community. It was a privilege to witness and support his growth over the last three years. I learnt so much from him on several occasions. I am delighted and not at all surprised he received multiple nominations and has been awarded this year's OSCA. "
Bo Kelestyn, Senior Teaching Fellow, Chemistry
An excellent student
Across his three years at 果冻传媒, Luke has proved to be an excellent student, embodying the University鈥檚 objective to embed learning experience in real-world impact. Luke鈥檚 dissertation focused on the barriers and enablers to entrepreneurial activities among UK university students.
"Luke is creative, thoughtful, critical (though always constructively so), and in every way a pleasure to work with."
Dr Lewis Beer, International Partnerships Officer
2019 OSCA winners
In 2019, GSD students Hannah Abdel-Hadi and Liam Shah received a joint OSCA. Hannah and Liam were recognised for founding , a society encouraging students to embrace positive business impact and social impact careers. Find out more about their nomination here.