Sheri Scott, Senior Lecturer

Nottingham Trent University

Recognising that lab sustainability was limited to research and academic lab settings — and that Greener NHS and Hospital Green Plans were not considering the carbon footprint or environmental impacts of their diagnostic laboratories — I started promoting clinical lab sustainability in biomedical science practice and education.

To date, my achievements in this field have included:

• Global networking, and the delivery of a bespoke learning package to dozens of NHS trusts, professional events, and conferences over 18 months.
• Fostering collaboration and a culture of knowledge exchange, inspiring more than 2,500 lab professionals to challenge and change current practice.
• Founding the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare’s Clinical Labs Susnet.
• Authoring multiple publications, and co-writing the EFLM Clinical Labs guidelines booklet
• multiplatform media outputs, including YouTube videos, a podcast with almost 800 plays, and a Twitter Spaces recording with 1.6K listeners.
• Pioneering SusQi in biomedical science curriculum and securing CSH Beacon Site status for Nottingham Trent University (NTU).
• Facilitating national Clinical LEAF Pilots.
• Coordinating the lab sustainability school outreach initiative.

What the Judges Thought

This project shows meaningful impact in the healthcare sector with great ‘on-the-ground’ impact as well as influencing decision-making stakeholders and bodies both locally and internationally. The project puts engagement and communication at its heart and academic publications have been published from it too. Well done - a great example of someone who has gone beyond their day job and a good example of collaboration across different organisations. Sheri is a force to be reckoned with and a model role to others on what can be achieved with focus, passion, and commitment.

What it Means to Win

“Sheri has been a trailblazer when it comes to promoting clinical lab sustainability, and we are extremely proud that she has been recognised for her achievements. She is an example of how NTU continues to innovate and push the boundaries, challenging and making a difference.”

Professor Edward Peck, Vice Chancellor and President 

Top 3 Learnings

1. It is only through collaboration that we can achieve positive changes in practice.
2. We need to rethink the way we do things.
3. People want to change and need the support to do so.