Hiya! My name is Sophie, and I’m one of your five SGO Projects Officers for the 2026/27 academic year. I couldn’t be more excited to start in the role and leave my stamp on things at CCCU and in the wider community.

So I’m imagining you’re now sitting there asking yourself, but who actually is Sophie? So to resolve your endless and impressive curiosity, I’ll offer up some information about myself. I’m in my third year of studying BSc Applied Criminology and Forensic Investigation, and I get to study some pretty fascinating stuff on my course… It’s nothing like Death in Paradise or Father Brown, that’s for sure! I took a gap year before university to take the opportunity to learn more about adulting and to travel around Europe for a couple of months. But most of my life now is occupied by a plethora of hobbies, societies and hard-core side quests that really make me, well, me! I wouldn’t dare look at my calendar if I were you, she’s always scarily jam-packed with exciting things!

When I’m not busy volunteering at festivals (I went to thirteen over this summer alone, I need a holiday now) you can find me around campus taking part in almost everything you can imagine. I joined the Musical Theatre Society and Women’s Lacrosse Team in my first week of coming to CCCU, and I haven’t once looked back. They’ve become like extended families to me, and have raised so many opportunities to do what I love with my best friends all whilst learning new skills and growing as a person. I am the Women’s Lacrosse Wellbeing Officer for the second year in a row, and whilst last year I was the Musical Theatre President, I have now stepped down to take on the role of Musical Director. I’ve worked around the uni as a student ambassador, and I’ve just taken on a role as a receptionist in the SU. I also love to bake, travel, and do absolutely anything crafty I can lay my hands on. My mum taught me how to sew when I was little, and I made both my old prom dresses from scratch! They still get reworn to every formal event I have, even five years later, which is all just part of my journey to living as sustainably as possible.

I’ve been eyeing up this job for the past couple of years in uni, with a hope that one day I might find myself with the chance to take up the mantle of some of the excellent Projects Officers that have preceded me. Now I’m entering my final year of studies and have been looking for some more work, this seems like the best time to take on something new whilst I still can! I’ve always been passionate about the environment, and have experience volunteering for a range of environmental causes. Standing in a river for a week for my Geography A Level prepared me for the chilly nature of being out and about, and I have since helped in my local area back home to clear invasive plant species and preserve our nature reserve. I wouldn’t say I have a particular interest in any one area of sustainability, as it takes a combination of actions and initiatives to really keep our planet the best it can be. However, many of my friends probably know me for being rather annoying about making sure they put the right rubbish in the right bins (working in a recycling plant changes a woman)!

So that’s me! Needless to say, I’m a girl who loves being busy and having something to do, and this year’s goal is to get as many of you involved with sustainability as possible. If you made it this far through the blog, I’m incredibly grateful and I reckon you deserve a final few fun Sophie facts to take away with you.

1. I play a range of instruments, but primarily clarinet
2. I once had a solo in the Royal Albert Hall (I was 13 but I still think it’s pretty cool)
3. I helped Pitbull achieve a Guinness World Record this summer

The rest of the team has already been so welcoming, and we’ll happily take you in too! Make sure to keep an eye out for all the events, activities and blogs run by myself and the rest of the Student Green Office throughout the year.

By Sophie Keeling, SGO Projects Officer