Hi everyone,
I’d like to understand other universities’ approaches to LEAF at the moment given that SPARKHub’s release is just around the corner, particularly when it comes to labs that are just starting out - are you asking them to hold fire then get them started on SPARKHub instead, or proceed with LEAF as is and likely move over in the future, or something else? I’m administering LEAF here at Uni of Sheffield at the moment, and finding it difficult to know what to do and to not cause other people headaches.
At Uni of Sheffield we established some targets to do with participation in LEAF (“or an equivalent framework”) with our new sustainability strategy that was published earlier this year: 100% enrolment by end of 2026, 100% bronze by end of 2027, etc. We’ve had a flurry of labs sign up to LEAF in the last month or two as a result, and it feels like we’re finally building some momentum.
However, the release of SPARKHub is now looming, but without seeing the criteria it’s hard to ascertain what the transition from LEAF might look like (i.e. how closely LEAF actions map to SH), and thus whether or not it’s worth it for new labs to get going with bronze LEAF given that a switch at some point seems likely. I imagine there will be concerns about possibly wasting work in getting to grips with one framework and its actions, only to have to get familiar with something else perhaps not so far down the line.
Not knowing when SH will be released is making it tricky too, as I’m not able to say when we’ll know more.
I’d love to hear how the rest of you are approaching it, in terms of what your plans/expecations are for transitioning to SPARKHub including timescales, how you’re handling the uncertainty with your LEAF labs, whether or not you’re still encouraging new sign ups to get going with LEAF, etc.
Thanks! And have a great weekend.
Louis Garnham
University of Sheffield