From local action to collective impact at Chapters Connect 2025

Earlier this October, 35 of our student Chapter leaders from across the country gathered at Patch Twickenham for Chapters Connect – our first in-person Chapter event of the year.

Previously known as Building Community Leaders, the event has been refreshed and renamed to reflect its main purpose, connection. It’s about bringing people together to share ideas, strengthen links between universities, and kick off the year with renewed energy and purpose. 

Uniting the network 

This year, the event took a more student-led approach than ever before. Our team of Student Champions – the representatives who support and connect Chapters across the UK – played a key role in running the day. They helped guide discussions, facilitate activities, capture content and bring their own experiences to the conversation. 

We kicked things off by exploring the concept of globally responsible engineering, discussing what it means and how Chapters can actively embed those principles in their own work. From there, participants moved into open networking, sparking conversations and sharing ideas with Chapters from different universities. We were also joined by Chapter alumni and former Student Champion Emily Burt, who shared reflections on her journey as she moves into the world of work as a new graduate.

The afternoon invited Chapters to reflect  on the past year, highlighting what went well and where there’s room for improvement. Notable points for celebration included:

“We successfully made the society active, and got it off the ground. This was achieved by collaborations we led with other societies.”

“Ran a successful outreach program to 8 different schools.”

One collective goal

Looking ahead, we came together for a brainstorming session to define one collective goal for the 2025-26 academic term. After group discussions and a vote, we agreed on a shared focus:

Grow a more connected, visible and collaborative Chapter network.

This goal is all about making the network feel closer and stronger – connecting with nearby Chapters, teaming up to host events, and using social media to celebrate one another’s successes. By working together, Chapters can have influence far beyond their own campuses.

Moments that stood out

There were plenty of highlights throughout the day. Hearing a recorded introduction from Georgia Elliott-Smith, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Engineers Without Borders UK, was a particular favourite – her talk sparked reflection and encouraged new ways of thinking.

“What’s resonated with me today is the shared passion for making a positive difference through the skills we learn.” 

Another standout moment was the “I have a dream” session, where each Chapter shared a SMART goal for the year ahead. What made it special wasn’t just the ambition behind the goals – such as outreach projects with local schools and new member drives – but the way Chapters supported each other. The advice and encouragement exchanged in those discussions reminded everyone what makes this community so valuable.

“It was great to see how committed the other chapters were. Being President, it can feel daunting at times but it was nice to meet everyone else in the same position.”

We also took part in a pitching and presenting workshop led by Stephen Brown from Enactus UK & Ireland, and wrapped up with an informal Q&A session that allowed the wider group to put their questions to our Student Champions.

What’s next for Chapters 

The event closed with a sense of momentum. We’re now in the process of setting up improved communication channels to turn our collective ambitions into a reality, starting with a WhatsApp community to help Chapters keep in touch, share updates, and celebrate successes throughout the year.

Next up in the national event calendar is the final of The Big Pitch on Wednesday 22 October, where student teams from across the country will present their innovative ideas to a panel of judges. After that, attention will turn to the UK Chapter Design Challenge 2026, taking place in the new year.

Leading this event was a reminder of just how much potential there is in this network. When students come together, share ideas, and collaborate across universities, you can feel the spark of something bigger. It’s a movement with the potential to shape the future of engineering.

Interested in supporting our Chapter network?

Support a network of 24 university Chapters and over 1,000 students driving locally led action across the UK. Partner with us by delivering talks, hosting workshops, or investing in student leadership development. Get in touch at [email protected].