My name:
Jethro Tieman
My role:
Sustainability Representative
Information about my role:
The Sustainability Representative is a new role, building onwards from a strong flow of Assocation achievements in developing sustainability communication and partnerships. I will continue to pursue the achievement of a broad vision of sustainable education with the University, embedding environmental literacy as a core competency in every area of decision-making for OU students, and stimulating debate, engagement and knowledge on sustainability issues.
My priorities for the 2024–26 term:
From 2024 to 2026, I will be actively engaged with the development of the OU’s Responsible Futures, and expanding the OU’s and the Association's outward-facing communication and thought leadership on sustainability – with the aim of informing and motivating an accelerated pace of change in society towards sustainable thinking and habits.
I will also be expanding the sustainability events for OU students, and working to increase the participation of the Association and students in sustainability initiatives and partnerships.
What I've been up to and what I’m currently working on:
My working life is strongly centred around sustainability. I am a social entrepreneur developing a series of businesses, with my main project involving the education of African farmers to adapt to climate change.
What I’m studying:
I am studying a BSc in Combined STEM at the OU – this year with modules on design essentials and planetary science and the search for life – and I am part of an innovation hub in The Hague studying entrepreneurship.
What I do when I’m not studying:
I work hard on my social enterprises, but I spend a lot of my free time at the innovation hub (having more interesting conversations than doing actual work). I also have bursts of spontaneous nonsense with my friends, like gaming, boat trips, beach days, picnics in the park, and hanging out in cafes. I love to read, and I love my cat, who likes me to stay still and be attentive, which does pretty much fly in the face of any other activity.
My top study tips:
- If you’re getting overwhelmed with something you’re trying to learn, then take a break and do whatever you need to remind yourself of why you started studying in the first place.
- Remember Japan has over 200 kinds of KitKats. We need to get moving.
How to contact me:
Email: oustudents-sustainability@open.ac.uk
Please note that a handful of Association staff team members have access to this mailbox.
Twitter / X: @OpenSustainRep