The university achieved three-star status in the Fairtrade University and College Award, jointly delivered by the Fairtrade Foundation and Students Organising for Sustainability UK. Reading was also named campaigner of the month for June by the Fairtrade Foundation.
Reading was the only university to be awarded three-star status in the 2023-25 application round, and is only the second UK university, after Bournemouth University, to hold the award.
The Fairtrade University and College Award recognises institutions that are embedding Fairtrade values in their education, research and other activities to create a positive impact on their graduates. It scores applicants against a range of criteria, including leadership and strategy, procurement, catering, research and curriculum, and innovation.
Tracy McAuley, procurement colleague who coordinated our award submission, said: “We are proud that this award further demonstrates the University’s commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. The audit moderation panel gave us some very useful pointers for how we can go even further on our commitment and we will look to implement these before our next submission in 2027.”