Responsibility

Making a difference to society

Our values of professionalism, inclusiveness, integrity and community are at the heart of everything we do. We understand that what we do can have an impact on the wider community, which is why we take our social, economic and environmental responsibilities seriously.

Building relationships

We strive to ensure that everyone within the University is treated fairly, with dignity and respect; that the opportunities we provide are open to all; and that the University provides a safe, supportive and welcoming environment.

Engaging with the community

• The University is accessible as a place of learning to everyone who has the potential, regardless of age or background
• We contribute to the region's cultural landscape through our research and teaching and by opening our doors to the public as a cultural venue
• Over 2000 of our students and many staff work as local volunteers

Find out more about how we work with the community

Sustainable development & environmental management

The University recognises the importance of the environment and has established policies and programmes that are needed to tackle environmental issues at a local and global level. From transport schemes to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions to waste management and energy efficient buildings we are looking ahead. A major shift in emphasis is taking place which will integrate sustainable development into the heart of our activities and operations. Find out more

Use of animals in research

The University of Leeds carries out research on animals to improve the health and welfare of human beings and animals, and to provide a better understanding of the animals themselves. It uses animals only when there are no alternatives, and is firmly committed to the principles of replacement, refinement and reduction of animals in research.

Research using animals is driving fundamental advances in understanding, treating and curing a range of health problems including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and mental illness, and continues to enable fundamental advances in our understanding of diseases.

The University will use alternatives to animals wherever possible, such as computer modelling, tissue culture, cell and molecular biology, and research with human subjects. But these cannot yet properly reproduce the complex biological characteristics of man and animals and nor can they replicate the study of wild animals in their natural environment.

All research involving animals is carried out to high standards of humane care and treatment within a strict framework of legal controls. Projects must also be approved by an ethical review committee, and researchers are trained in the ethical dimensions of their work and in standards of animal care, welfare and accommodation.

Further information:

Understanding Animal Research

Home Office

National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research

Commitment to fairtrade

We are proud to be a fairtrade university and have been since 2005. Along with Leeds University Union we sell fairtrade foods in all shops and food outlets on campus and we're passionate about raising awareness of fairtrade. The fairtrade label guarantees a better deal for disadvantaged producers in the developing world.

See the values and responsibility section of the latest annual report for more about our approach.