University awarded grant to develop strategic sustainability education project

The ‘Leading Curriculum Change for Sustainability’ project will be undertaken in collaboration with the universities of Aston, Brighton, Gloucester and Oxford Brookes.

While the UK higher education sector is active in sustainable development research and promotes good corporate sustainability practice, progress on changing the curriculum has been far slower. Future graduates will face sustainability challenges in all professional and business contexts and the demand for skills in this area is growing among employers and students. However, the integration of sustainability in a growing range of HE courses presents sizeable challenges of academic leadership and innovation.

To tackle this issue systemically, this project is focused on processes that can ensure that curriculum development with a sustainability focus is of the highest academic quality throughout the higher education sector. This important strategic work will aim to help reorientate graduate skills and capabilities across academic and professional subjects, aligning with the growing need to develop sustainable economies, resilient communities, new business opportunities, graduate employability and enhanced life opportunities for many people.

Professor Janice Kay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Exeter, commented: ‘The University of Exeter is committed to sustainability and Education for Sustainable Development and has invested heavily in improving its performance in a wide range of spheres. The university is taking a leading role in sustainability related research and programme development. The project will draw on our experience and deep involvement in regional, national and international sustainability initiatives and reflective approach to governance and management which will clearly assist us in addressing this agenda internally.’

Each partner institution brings unique expertise to the project and the consortium represents the diversity of profile and provision within UK HE. The project team has wide-ranging expertise in ESD and in different academic subjects, natural and social sciences to humanities and education. The project involves action learning to promote dialogue and change within each partner institution and across the sector, and will engage with various HE stakeholders and organisations, such as the Quality Assurance Agency and the Higher Education Academy.

Commencing in October 2010 and spanning two academic years until September 2012, the project will produce strategic guidance for universities and HE stakeholders, to drive ESD innovation and leadership and to build capacity to equip graduates with the sustainability skills they need for the future.