Integrating education for sustainable development in learning development practice within a university humanities and social sciences faculty

Abstract

This talk focused on a Learning Development (LD) approach to the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the production and delivery of self-directed and classroom LD resources within a department under a humanities and social sciences faculty. This was partly a response to a recently published framework for ESD in higher education (Advance HE, 2021) which encouraged students and staff, across disciplines and service areas, to identify their potential in advancing sustainability in their institutions and wider communities. ESD as ‘a lens that permits us to look critically at how the world is and to envision how it might be and equips us to deliver that vision’ implements and embeds pedagogies, enabling students to discern their roles in addressing ‘integrity, social justice and economic prosperity’ (Advance HE, 2021).

The role of universities in contributing to the United Nation’s Global Sustainable Development Goals (UNDP, 2022) through research, teaching, skills development, and civic engagement, in positioning ESD strategically across the curriculum, and student expectations around ESD and SDG learning opportunities (SOS-UK, 2020) provided additional context for this session.

The talk included a succinct overview of ESD in higher education and, informed by the author’s practice, a concise explanation of the distinctive role of LD in contributing to the integration of ESD within the formal and informal curricula. This was illustrated by presenting self-produced materials (or, reflecting participatory practice principles, co-produced with students or colleagues), based on a range of sustainability themes, and focusing on such skills areas as critical reflection, communication, collaborative learning and research. The observed impact on students from different subject areas, working collaboratively to apply academic skills to real-world challenges was addressed.

Embedded high-impact ESD in LD fosters students’ green literacy skills, enabling them, when they transition out of higher education, to build, and maintain environmentally and socially just communities and workplaces. A comprehensive resource document, with example material, will be hosted on Learn Higher.