Learning, Teaching and Assessment Network and Academic Practice Network:

Joint Workshop

In spite of different conceptions and views about the term ‘sustainability’, interest in sustainability in higher education in general, and the relevance of sustainability in higher education curricula in particular, has swelled in the last 15 years. Further, there are an increasing number of examples of successful curriculum interventions in different disciplines addressing areas such as reducing carbon emissions, food sourcing, and resource use. However, recent reports and events indicate that there are serious and growing threats to the environment, including an escalating climate emergency, the consequences of which are grave. Does higher education need to intervene further? Do efforts to promote teaching about sustainability and environmental priorities need to be intensified? Can, as is widely suggested, lessons be learned from the current pandemic? Conversely, would such actions be intrusive, reducing learners’ opportunities to become experts in their chosen disciplines? Drawing on the work of a series of expert speakers, representing both staff and students in the sector, this session will consider whether a ‘new wave’ of sustainability in the curriculum is needed as a top priority at the present time.

PROGRAMME - All times are approximate

10.00-10.10         Introduction and Housekeeping

10.10 - 10.30      The Imperative for Education for Sustainable Development  Professor James Longhurst, University of the West of England (UWE)

10.30– 10.50      Student Demand and Expectations of Sustainability in HE  Meg Baker, Director of Education, Students Organising for Sustainability (SoS)

10.50 – 11.10     Student Expectations for Sustainability on Campus, including with Academic Endeavours and Campus Experience  Corey Peterson, Associate Director for Sustainability, University of Tasmania.

11.10 – 11.30     Questions, Discussion and Conclusion.