UK Healthy Universities Network

The UK Healthy Universities Network was formed in 2006 in response to growing demand from HEIs interested in developing and implementing this whole university approach. Convened by the Healthy & Sustainable Settings Unit at the University of Central Lancashire, it was significantly strengthened through the HEFCE-funded project Developing Leadership and Governance for Healthy Universities.

It now has a membership of more than 76 UK HEIs – with members representing a diversity of staffing groups – including student services, sports, human resources and academic departments. Additionally, it has as associate members 23 HEIs from outside the UK and 28 other bodies.

The Network supports its members to develop and implement ‘whole university’ approaches to health, wellbeing and sustainability. Reflecting its commitment to the Okanagan International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges, it is part of a global movement calling upon higher education institutions to incorporate health and sustainability into their mission, vision and strategic plans; and lead and drive change in society by modelling, testing and transferring innovative approaches.

It uses meetings, events and electronic communication to:

facilitate peer support through the exchange of information, guidance, research, practice and experience related to Healthy Universities
develop, collate and disseminate models, guidance materials, tools and examples of good practice
advocate, liaise and advise on the Healthy Universities approach at national and international levels
encourage and facilitate collaborative development and research.

Project Lead

Mark Dooris

Project Staff

Alan Farrier
Charlotte Smith

Clients or Funders

HEFCE (2009-2012) UCLan and Manchester Metropolitan University (2012-)

Public Outputs

Healthy Universities Website

Healthy Universities Toolkit

Dooris, M., Farrier, A., Powell, S. and Holt, M. (2019) Whole system approaches to health in higher education: an evaluation of the UK Healthy Universities Network. Health Education, 119 (4). pp. 246-258.

Dooris, M., Farrier, A., Doherty, S., Holt, M., Monk, R. and Powell, S. (2018) The UK Healthy Universities Self Review Tool: Whole System Impact. Health Promotion International, 33 (3). pp. 448-457.

Timeline

2009-