Topic Support Network: Education for Sustainable Development in Higher Education

Background

This Topic Support Network is designed to explore the area of education for sustainable development and how it is understood and practiced in universities across Scotland.

Topic Support Networks provide an opportunity to share information, experiences and good practice across the university and college sector in Scotland. There are 8 groups, focusing on a range of areas to support a holistic approach to sustainability and social responsibility in your institution. These meetings are free to attend; whether you are new to the sector or just looking to update your knowledge, everyone is welcome. These are not just one off events but a community where support and advice is always at hand. As a group we are able to identify problems and look for opportunities, delivering practical outcomes you can take back to your institution.

Location

Seminar Room 1, Reid Building, 167 Renfrew Street, G3 6RQ (Opposite the MacIntosh Building).

Event Summary

This Topic Support Network will explore the concept of 'sustainability literacy', both within and outside the curriculum. Core questions of discussion will be on what this might mean to individual institutions and how progress can be made towards it both inside, and outside the curriculum.

Our key contributors to the session include Dr. Laura Colucci-Gray from the University of Aberdeen who will be providing a theoretical and critical perspective on sustainability literacy, and how the new QAA Guidelines on ESD for Higher Education published this month can assist efforts to develop sustainability literacy amongst staff and students. 

Pebecca Petford from Transition University of St Andrews will be giving a non-academic perspective on how initiatives such as Carbon Conversations and Common Cause have enabled sustainability literacy and ESD outside of the curriculum.

We look forward to seeing you there.