Impact Lab

What is
Impact Lab

01
Impact Lab is a student-led society at ARU focused on real-world learning.
02
We run short, structured project cycles where students work in teams to explore problems, test ideas, and build useful things.
03
It's a space to practise skills, try new tools, and learn by doing.
04
You show up to learn, understand, and build. With others who take the work seriously.
 
 
The Challenge

Why It Exists

The Problem
Too many students graduate with nothing to show beyond grades. No projects. No real proof. That's a problem.
Then they enter the real world and realise they still need to bridge the gap between theory and practice. They must learn to:
Work in real teams
Solve unstructured problems
Use new tools
Internships may help, but they often give you tasks, not ownership. You observe more than you lead. Most don't show you what you're capable of. And many don't lead to jobs.
The Solution
Impact Lab flips that.
It exists so you don't start from scratch after graduation.
You start with proof of effort, proof of action, and proof of what you can do.
What You Get
01
Work before you work
02
Try before you apply
03
Build something with others
04
Take full responsibility for a piece of real-world learning

What happens here

 
 
 
 

You join a working unit, shaped like a small startup. You take on a clear role. Marketing, research, development, outreach.

 

Those roles shift. You wear different hats depending on what the project demands.

 

You run a six-week cycle. You gather insight through surveys, interviews, and field research.

 

You test ideas, build pilots, and make decisions with real constraints.

You present, document, and reflect as a unit. You leave with work you were responsible for. Fully.

 
 

What you leave with

A portfolio of real work

You'll have delivered something useful, specific, and documented.

Clear communication skills

You'll be able to talk clearly about what you did, why it mattered, and what you learned.

Cross-functional experience

You'll gain experience working across functions, adapting to needs, and making decisions.

Confidence through action

You'll build confidence through action. Not theory.

Where we are now

 
 

✓ REGISTERED

Impact Lab is officially registered with ARU Students' Union.

 

✓ FOUNDATION SET

Our internal plans and documents are in place and still being refined.

 

⏳ LAUNCHING

We're preparing for the first cycle, the Discovery Sprint, launching October 2025.

 

🔄 ACTIVE OUTREACH

We're actively speaking with students, testing interest, and gaining early traction through direct conversations.

 

Who this is for

Students who want to build something real

This is for students who want to build something real while they're still here.

Learn by trying

For those who learn best by trying, even when they're not sure where to start.

Feel stuck but want more

For anyone who feels stuck, but knows they want to do more.

Not for spectators

It's not for spectators. It's for people who show up, take responsibility, and figure things out along the way.

 
 
 

Ready to start building?

Don't graduate with just grades. Graduate with proof of what you can do.

Join us

First cycle launches October 2025

Memberships

Sorry, there are no memberships available to purchase.

Society Committee

President

Treasurer

What is
Impact Lab

01
Impact Lab is a student-led society at ARU focused on real-world learning.
02
We run short, structured project cycles where students work in teams to explore problems, test ideas, and build useful things.
03
It's a space to practise skills, try new tools, and learn by doing.
04
You show up to learn, understand, and build. With others who take the work seriously.
 
 
The Challenge

Why It Exists

The Problem
Too many students graduate with nothing to show beyond grades. No projects. No real proof. That's a problem.
Then they enter the real world and realise they still need to bridge the gap between theory and practice. They must learn to:
Work in real teams
Solve unstructured problems
Use new tools
Internships may help, but they often give you tasks, not ownership. You observe more than you lead. Most don't show you what you're capable of. And many don't lead to jobs.
The Solution
Impact Lab flips that.
It exists so you don't start from scratch after graduation.
You start with proof of effort, proof of action, and proof of what you can do.
What You Get
01
Work before you work
02
Try before you apply
03
Build something with others
04
Take full responsibility for a piece of real-world learning

What happens here

 
 
 
 

You join a working unit, shaped like a small startup. You take on a clear role. Marketing, research, development, outreach.

 

Those roles shift. You wear different hats depending on what the project demands.

 

You run a six-week cycle. You gather insight through surveys, interviews, and field research.

 

You test ideas, build pilots, and make decisions with real constraints.

You present, document, and reflect as a unit. You leave with work you were responsible for. Fully.

 
 

What you leave with

A portfolio of real work

You'll have delivered something useful, specific, and documented.

Clear communication skills

You'll be able to talk clearly about what you did, why it mattered, and what you learned.

Cross-functional experience

You'll gain experience working across functions, adapting to needs, and making decisions.

Confidence through action

You'll build confidence through action. Not theory.

Where we are now

 
 

✓ REGISTERED

Impact Lab is officially registered with ARU Students' Union.

 

✓ FOUNDATION SET

Our internal plans and documents are in place and still being refined.

 

⏳ LAUNCHING

We're preparing for the first cycle, the Discovery Sprint, launching October 2025.

 

🔄 ACTIVE OUTREACH

We're actively speaking with students, testing interest, and gaining early traction through direct conversations.

 

Who this is for

Students who want to build something real

This is for students who want to build something real while they're still here.

Learn by trying

For those who learn best by trying, even when they're not sure where to start.

Feel stuck but want more

For anyone who feels stuck, but knows they want to do more.

Not for spectators

It's not for spectators. It's for people who show up, take responsibility, and figure things out along the way.

 
 
 

Ready to start building?

Don't graduate with just grades. Graduate with proof of what you can do.

Join us

First cycle launches October 2025

Upcoming Events

We don't have anything planned right now but check back soon!

Society Elections 2025

Find your societies' next committee for 2025/26 "IF NOT YOU, THEN WHO?"

598 posts are up for election.

The polls have closed, and results have been published.