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Written by:
Kathryn Martin-Chambers
Posted:
07 May 2020

PhD candidate Philipp Verpoort (2016) has been recognised by the Vice-Chancellor’s Social Impact Awards for his work with Greater Cambridge Citizens’ Assembly on transport.

Philipp has worked on a citizens’ assembly project in Cambridge as part of the Sortition Foundation, an organisation working towards better engaging citizens on policy making across the UK. He was involved in the project throughout: pitching the initial idea, helping obtain government funding through the Innovating Local Democracy Programme, and sitting on the advisory board of the citizens’ assembly to help with key issues around design and communication.

As a result of Philipp’s work, the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) convened a citizens’ assembly to give people living and working in Cambridge the chance share their views on the future of Cambridge’s transport system.

The Greater Cambridge Citizens’ Assembly was the first of its kind funded by the government (through the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sports), and among the first citizens’ assemblies ever conducted in the UK.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Social Impact Awards are presented every year to students who show exceptional achievement and commitment to positive social change in Cambridge. This year the awards were presented by Professor Toope in a virtual meeting on the 6 May.

The awards are in collaboration with Cambridge Hub, a student-led group offering programmes and activities to university students, including skilled placements, practical volunteering and events. The Hub enables students to actively contribute towards tackling social and environmental issues in the Cambridge community.