Exciting details have now been confirmed for Campus Reimagined Live! 2026 – two days of interactive exhibitions and expert speakers, taking place on 9 and 10 March at the Refectory.

All staff and students are invited to explore the possibilities for our campus through four key themes.

Space

How could we use our space differently to create a more effective and efficient campus?

Joy

How could we create a lively, joyful campus where everyone feels they can belong?

Community

How could we open up spaces that allow us to connect with the city and wider community?

Future

How could we make long-term choices that keep campus resilient, flexible and sustainable?

Across these themes, we’ll discuss bold ‘What if…’ scenarios to start to define how an efficient and sustainable campus can enable a better experience for everyone.

Staff and students can hear insights into the challenges and opportunities for our campus, join the discussion with sector-leading experts and contribute their own feedback – plus, there will be plenty of coffee to get the ideas flowing!

More information about our inspiring line-up of speakers is coming soon. Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to book your place.

Join us to explore the possible.

Book your place at our social run club to find out about plans for the campus Active Trail, voted for by over 1,500 of you as one of the Campus Reimagined mini projects.

Whether you’re a regular runner or a total beginner, join us to explore the proposed route, tell us what you think and enjoy a free coffee and cake voucher!

What to expect

The Campus Reimagined run club on 27 January is a special edition of the Get Out, Get Active Social Run Club, organised by the Sports and Physical Activity team.

The social run club is open to colleagues and students of all abilities, supported by qualified run leaders who will adjust the pace and route to your needs.

• 12pm – Meet at The Gryphon Performance Hub on Cromer Terrace, with free use of lockers, changing rooms, toilets and showers.
• 12.10pm – After a warm up, we will jog around the proposed route of the Active Trail followed by a loop around Woodhouse Moor (around 5km in total, depending on pace). We will have groups of similar ability, with regular stops to reconvene.
• 12.45pm – Return to The Gryphon Performance Hub to use the changing facilities and collect your goodie bag.

Active Trail

Your ideas for an exercise and running trail on campus have been developed into a proposal for the ‘Active Trail’ – a designated, marked route to encourage movement, wellbeing and connection.

While great for runners of all abilities, a wide range of other activities will be supported by the Active Trail, including wheeling and walking. The inclusive environment will enable everyone to enjoy getting outside and being active throughout the day and year.

The plans for our campus Active Trail, developed in collaboration with Re-form Landscape Architecture, consider how we currently use our spaces, including points of entry, key routes and existing fitness facilities – as well as campus’ unique architecture and landscape, which the route will showcase.

The suggested route is a 1200m circuit, near EC Stoner building and extending into Chancellor’s Court – an accessible and visible part of campus, designed to support those who are less confident to enjoy the track.

There is potential to extend the trail with an additional 1300m loop.

The architects are also reimagining the existing urban features as opportunities for strength and conditioning exercises – for example, using staircases for step ups and rails for incline push-ups.

Once the route has been agreed, we will deliver changes to bring it to life.

Your ideas, your campus

The University is working with England Athletics and local running club Hyde Park Harriers (HPH) to shape the project.

Grace Roberts, Secretary of HPH and Scientific Officer in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University, said:

“Hyde Park Harriers are really proud to be part of this project, sharing our ideas and experience to ensure the Active Trail is inclusive and supports as many people as possible to be active.

“I’m excited to see colleagues and students (including some Hyde Park Harriers) try out the proposed route to see how it ‘feels’ for different users.

“It’s been a pleasure to be part of this developing project, and I’m excited to see how the Active Trail will be used in the future!”

Over 25 people from across the University community joined the Winter Wildlife Wander on 26 November.

The first of a series of events to discover more about our progress with your favourite Campus Reimagined mini projects, Hazel Mooney – who is leading the Campus Greenery Trail project – hosted a walk to explore part of the proposed route.

Staff and students found out more about our campus green spaces, enjoyed an introduction to winter gardening and planted their own winter salad to take home.

The groups also heard from the people involved in bringing some of the mini projects to life, with project lead Seb Stroud from the School of Biology sharing an update on the development of a Botanical Garden on campus.

Hazel – who is a PhD researcher in the School of Earth & Environment – said:

“It was wonderful to see so many people taking time to get out in nature and join us to wander along the route, through the Sustainable Garden, St George’s Field and even the Red Route, to highlight the greenery we can enjoy from inside.

“The Campus Greenery Trail will help people make the most of our green spaces and discover spaces they didn’t know existed.

“It will also provide opportunities to get involved in activities outdoors, build connectivity with nature and relax in our green spaces.”

Enhancing our experience

The Greenery Trail will bring other University trails together – including the Campus Tree Trail – with new signs and information to help people find their way around and learn about nature.

There will also be resources to help wildlife, such as pollinator poles.

Your ideas, your campus

In July, we announced the six Campus Reimagined mini projects – quick turnaround initiatives that will make campus work better, voted for by over 3,500 staff and students.

These projects are one part of Campus Reimagined, which will develop a welcoming, inclusive and sustainable campus to support our University’s strategy and ambition.

Find out more

Look out for more opportunities to learn about the progress of our mini projects and get involved with Campus Reimagined.

Subscribe to the newsletter and save the date for Campus Reimagined Live! 2026 to be part of the journey.

Join us at the Refectory on 9 and 10 March to explore what’s next for Campus Reimagined.

Your ideas, your campus

Earlier this year, thousands of colleagues and students attended Campus Reimagined Live! to share their experiences, ideas and hopes for our campus.

You told us how you feel about our space and environment, what works and what we need to improve.

What’s next?

Campus Reimagined Live! 2026 is your opportunity to explore what’s next as we work together to shape the future, while making positive changes happen now.

Director of Masterplanning, Sustainability and Asset Management in the Facilities Directorate (FD) Jen Wilson said:

“Campus Reimagined will give us a framework to guide our decision-making as we develop a welcoming, inclusive and sustainable campus.

“The voices and perspectives of our whole campus community are essential to ensure this framework fosters a sense of belonging and makes campus better for everyone.

“I’m excited to invite all staff and students to join us at Campus Reimagined Live! 2026, where you’ll find out how your ideas have shaped plans so far, and explore what the future could look like.”

Save the date and sign up to the Campus Reimagined newsletter to be the first to hear more about the event.