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The Association of Commonwealth Universities | ACU
Stories of change

Learn more about the impact of our work.

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

From passion to influence

Dr Ndubuisi Nwafor

Changing our relationship with the blue planet

Freya Croft

Finding local solutions to global problems

Dr Salom Gnana Thanga Vincent

We need to rethink the global waste trade

Dr Takunda Chitaka

Developing women leaders in research

University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Healing poisoned lands with nature

Doris Akachukwu

Lifting voices in the fight against climate change

Dr Mercy Derkyi

Climate action by women, for women

Mrs Mavis Akuffobea-Essilfie

Mainstreaming peace and reconciliation studies in Africa

Dr George Mutalemwa

The professor of gender studies using tech to keep staff and students safe

Kenyatta University, Kenya

Building climate resilience one community at a time

Dr Catherine Abiola Akinbami

Closing the gender gap for early career female academics

Midlands State University, Zimbabwe

No-bystander training for a safer city

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

Raising awareness of sexual harassment on campus and beyond

University of the South Pacific, Fiji

Driving forward a youth movement to clean up the oceans

Dr Andrea Clayton

Bridging cultural divides to build plastics-free communities

Dr Isabel Richter

Turning the tide against marine plastics pollution

Rufino Varea

Shaping the fortunes of future generations

Monday Gala

Ending poverty amongst farmers once and for all

Judith Ahimbisibwe

Tackling the greatest issue of our time

Read Masedi's story

Helping to achieve zero hunger and marine sustainability

Margaret MacDonald

Transforming food security in agricultural communities and beyond

Simon Kiongo

Tackling the taboo of sexual harassment

Mojibur Rahman