Education and teaching sustainability

Questions about how to develop sustainability literacy with the educational opportunities available to staff and students.

Back to: Sustainability

I’m interested in studying / researching sustainability – where can I find out more?

There are many ways to incorporate sustainability into your studies. To learn about sustainability as part of your degree, such as developing a dissertation relating to sustainability. If you had a particular idea for a research project, you can collaborate with academics and service staff to find solutions to real-life problems. The School of Environmental Sciences studies our Planet from the atmosphere, the surface to the deep Earth, and exploring the different ways in which societies, communities and ecosystems respond to differing aspects of environmental, economic and social change. The Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences and the Department of Geography and Planning encompass an enormous range of activities across the disciplines of Earth Sciences, Ocean Science, Ecology & Marine Biology, Geography, Planning and Environmental Science. We deliver high quality degree programmes and world-class research across these disciplines, but also are involved in collaborating with industry, Government and the public to maximise the impact of our work. See also Health and Life SciencesScience and Engineering, and Humanities and Social Sciences.

How can I develop my sustainability literacy?

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at the University provides lots of support and resources for both staff and students to develop their sustainability literacy. The Centre for Innovation in Education coordinates staff development resources for ESD at the University and students can access sustainability-related resources through the Sustainability in action canvas community hub. See also the development opportunities for both staff and students at the University.

Is there a sustainability course?

Yes! Sustainability in Action is an online course which introduces the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and how the university supports sustainable development through our research, campus operations and learning and teaching. Students and staff can engage with this course informally or complete a series of short assessments to receive HEAR accreditation. Find out more here.

How is the University responding to the global climate crisis through research?

The University’s research theme, Climate futures are harnessing high-quality research expertise spanning climate science, emissions reduction, food sustainability, air quality impacts, new materials discovery, behaviour insights, risk communication, community engagement and the development of new sustainable technologies. Climate Futures are aligning these strengths to explore impacts of climate change, develop solutions to environmental challenges and address knowledge gaps.