Community Engagement

Background

Colleges and universities are communities. Like the wider community they have a varied demographic – from young students to experienced operational staff; academics to sustainability professionals. The knowledge, skills and awareness of and interest in sustainability issues varies as it does in the wider population. The difference in colleges and universities is that we have a duty to educate and inform, to lead by example, to communicate and engage as part of the educational process.

Our students will go on to be practitioners and leaders in their chosen fields. The principles of sustainability can help them make the most of their student experience, curriculum and future career paths, opening up new routes to understanding. Art and science together have a key role to play in how we become more aware and tackle the issues of climate change, whether it’s through building better buildings, communicating through our creative industries, exploring science, producing better political leaders, or helping graduates apply better principles to their future work, whatever that may be.

Communicating and engaging is key to this process. How do those with an interest in or responsibility for sustainability issues interact with our students and staff, and wider community members, to raise awareness and encourage people to understand their own responsibilities within our community and beyond?

Our group is open to all staff and students at UK colleges and universities, and we welcome those without a direct environmental focus to their study or work − there are connections to sustainable principles across every role.

If you would like to join the mailing list for this group please email scotland@eauc.org.uk.

Contact John Thorne, Convenor of the group, to learn more.

Next meeting

Previous Meetings

19th May 2023 - Building communities for Climate Action within FHE institutions. This meeting focused on methods of building communities for climate action within institutions. Full minutes and a recording from the session can be found on the Sustainability Exchange.

3rd October 2022 - Climate Conversation on Campus. This meeting focused on the ways in which we can further the climate conversation on campus. Full minutes and a recording from the session can be found on the Sustainability Exchange. 

11th May 2022 - Agents of Change. This meeting focused on exploring the ways in which we can empower our communities to become agents of change. Find minutes and a recording of a presentation from the session on the Sustainability Exchange. 

15th March 2022 - The ripple effects of COP26. This meeting focused on sharing experiences of the climate conference and its legacy, both within institutions and across wider communities.

17th August 2021 - Using COP26 to engage students with climate change and sustainability. Find more details, presentations and a recording of the session on the Sustainability Exchange here.

15th April 2020 - Communicating Sustainability Issues. 
This meeting focused on communications in a crisis. This included, how to engage with the student body, what to put on your institutions website, social media and sustainability and general advice for increasing engagement with a wider audience.
 

Monday 14 October 2019, Engaging Students Union and Associations on Sustainability, in collaboration with the University of Stirling Students' Union, at the University of Stirling. Full details, presentation and minutes, available on our Sustainability Exchange.

Tuesday 25 September 2018, Engaging External communities Community Engagement TSN and Communicating Climate Change (CPA-Scotland): A two part event at University of Edinburgh. Full details, presentation and minutes, please click here.

Friday 12th May 2017, Climate Psychology and Engagement, at Glasgow School of Art. For details, presentation and minutes, please click here.

Thursday 2nd February 2017 at Glasgow School of Art. For details, presentations and minutes, please click here.

Friday 26th August 2016 at University of Dundee. For details, presentations and minutes, please click here.

Tuesday 22nd March 2016 at Glasgow School of Art. For details, presentations and minutes, please click here.

Thursday 16 April 2015 at the University of Edinburgh. For details, presentations and minutes, please click here.

Friday 28 November 2014 at Glasgow School of Art. For details, presentations and minutes, please click here.

Thursday 26 June 2014 at the Glasgow School of Art. For details, presentations and minutes, please click here.

Monday 18 November 2013 at the University of St Andrews. For details, presentations and minutes, please click here.

Tuesday 23 October 2012 at the University of Strathclyde.

Wednesday 11 July 2012 at the University of Edinburgh. For details, presentations and minutes, please click here.

Contact Information

The convenors for the Community Engagement TSN are:

John Thorne, Glasgow School of Art

email: J.Thorne@gsa.ac.uk

Severine Monvoisin, Edinburgh College

email: severine.monvoisin@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

To join the JiscMail Network for the Community Engagement TSN and receive updates on meetings, please contact us.