GCU’s student-led sustainability project amplifies Scottish voices fighting inequality
Glasgow Caledonian University is one of five Scottish universities to take part in UNIFORCE, alongside University of Stirling, Edinburgh Napier University, Robert Gordon University and University of the West of Scotland.
UNIFORCE is a student-led, cross-university sustainability platform created by the student presidents of five Scottish universities.
Glasgow Caledonian University has a long-standing commitment to ethical and sustainable practice, having first been accredited as a Fairtrade University in 2012.
In partnership with GCU Students’ Association, the University went on to secure a two-Star Fairtrade University Award in the 2022–24 Fairtrade Universities and Colleges cohort (the only Scottish University to receive a 2-star award in the 2022-24 cohort), reflecting its wider commitment to tackling inequality and promoting social responsibility.
Among those taking part in UNIFORCE is ‘Scot Stories’ – a project run by Glasgow Caledonian alumni and students Anthony Aladedahunsi, Seth Thomas, Taiwo Akinade and Prosper Ehimen.
Seth Thomas, the group lead, shared in an Instagram post: “Across Scotland, people are working quietly, consistently and courageously to reduce inequality which often goes without recognition.”
‘Scot Stories’ aims to amplify Scottish voices against inequality by creating documentary-style interviews that shine a light on individuals across multiple sectors.
So far, they have documented: Eilidh Stewart, Tabitha Nyariki and Chika Marvis – people who have used their voice and platform to create positive change for equality.
We spoke to Anthony Aladedahunsi to learn more about this project.
“Our project is all about telling the stories of unsung heroes in Scotland,” he said.
“Scotland is a great nation, and a lot of people are contributing to the fight against inequality, but their voices are not heard because their stories are not being told.
“We use our skills we have learned at Glasgow Caledonian to come up with a documentary tailored to each individual that we meet.”
Taking the stage at UNIFORCE and sharing their passion is only the beginning for this group, as they have plans to continue their stride and hope to have over 100 stories documented by next year.
Anthony said: “We want to reach out to people we see fighting inequality, it is going to be a lot of work, and we cannot do that in just one day.
“Thousands of people are doing a lot in Scotland, and we want to ensure that we tell stories of those doing something meaningful.
“Our goal for the future, in the next year we hope to have 100 stories out there, which we have documented.”
Anthony graduated with an MA in Digital Media and Content Creation last November and actively uses his skills to create positive change.
“Seth and I are so passionate about social impact, and we are passionate about making impact through what we do,” he said.
“We have worked on projects around gender-based violence, we have done stuff on telling stories of international students and how they are able to settle down in Scotland.
“One thing we can do to make impact is to tell stories, which is one of our skills we have learned while we were students at GCU.”
The group behind ‘Scots Stories’ emphasise how important sustainability is – and not just the recycling side.
Anthony said: “Sustainability is not just about recycling, sustainability to me means what keeps things going.
“People might wonder how media can take part in sustainability but telling stories of unsung heroes is part of that, that is sustainability.
“Sustainability is not just about recycling; it is so much more than that.”
Follow their journey via Instagram
By Lucy Rodgers
Got a story you’d like to share? Email me at lucy.rodgers@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on Linkedin