UTS Faculty of Law want you to think big, share your ideas, and show how technology can make the world a more sustainable place by attending events, sharing your idea on LinkedIn, and creating a Video for Change.
Here's how you can become a Champion for Change and win!
Sustainability encompasses environmental, social, and economic goals with equality and wellbeing for all at its heart. As we strive towards a more sustainable future, there’s a lot of things to worry about. Some things, like growing electronic waste problems, may be caused by the prevalence of technology in our daily lives. Technology can also present tremendous opportunities through innovations like wind farms, solar power, and other forms of sustainable energy. In creating a more sustainable future, technology can be harnessed to help the most vulnerable. Here are some case-stories:
- Blockchain technology can ensure secure documentation for displaced people.
- Drinking straws that filter bacteria can make clean water a reality in the poorest parts of the world.
- UTS students have created apps that promote social justice for renters in Allens Neota Challenge.
We’ve organised plenty of inspirational events in the Faculty of Law this August and September to get you thinking about social justice, technology and sustainability and the opportunities available to you by learning about law and technology. We want you to show and share those thoughts in this unique competition.
How to enter
- Attend events over Tech + Social Justice Week.
- Craft a big idea about how you think technology can make the world a more sustainable place.
- In 20 words or less, post it on LinkedIn with the hashtag #utslawbigideascomp or email it to us and we'll repost it on LinkedIn for you with your name attached (lawbigideascomp@uts.edu.au). Do this by Sunday, 17 September 11:59 and you'll go in the running to win the Tech and IP Research Cluster Most Innovative Idea Award. You'll receive fame, glory and a $100 visa gift card! Here's an example to get you thinking:
Require QR codes for all plastic products, linking composition and source information so we can map health and environmental impacts
Action! take that idea to screen and go in the draw for more.
Once you’ve created your idea you can win even more prizes by submitting a one-minute video on the Videos for Change platform by 17th September, 11:59PM. The Videos for Change platform is designed to amplify youth voices and is only accessible for students 25 and younger. Student entries via this platform will also be considered in their global database, that's big!
Attend a screening
- Students who participate in the Videos for Change component will have their videos screened at the UTS LSS Sustainability week event on 21 September with further event details to be confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
- This puts you in the running to win the Innovative Video Award and a mentoring session with Industry Professor Beth Patterson from ESP Connect about career opportunities in legal technology; and, a one-on-one online demo of the Neota Logic platform with expert Dominique Simsion.
- The innovative Video Award will be presented by UTS Industry Professor, Mehrdad Baghai. Coming from the guy who sued Microsoft for stealing Australia's Wi-Fi patent, that's also big!
There’s a lot more to explain with the QR code idea above: in a video you could briefly explain the sustainability risks posed by plastic and give an example of how certain types of plastic are particularly harmful to health. Or, you could explain some plastics are recycled but the amount of recycled plastic is important and explain how knowing source detail could help understand how far components of your product have travelled to reach you and the labour conditions in the country of manufacture.
By following these steps you’ll:
- Receive recognition for your creativity and originality when approaching social justice, tech and sustainability.
- Enter the Videos for Change global database: you’ll really make an impact here if you go global!
- Participate on LinkedIn by generating thought-provoking discussion, get recognised for your unique thoughts and gain a reputation as a social justice thinker who is all about sustainability, law, and tech.
- Find out more about technology and its many, many social justice applications, including the work that is being done by our alumni, academics, and industry partners.
Champions for Change who participate in either competition and demonstrate attendance at two events held over Tech + Social Justice week and support the screening event will be formally recognised as 2023 UTS Law Champions for Change.
Questions about the competition? Email the team with subject "Champion for Change"Law.StudentPrograms@uts.edu.au