Showing papers in "International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education in 2012"

LIVING LAB: User-Driven Innovation for Sustainability.

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to summarize and discuss the results from the LIVING LAB design study, a project within the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union. The aim of this project was to develop the conceptual design of the LIVING LAB Research Infrastructure that will be used to research human interaction with, and stimulate the adoption of, sustainable, smart and healthy innovations around the home.Design/methodology/approach – A LIVING LAB is a combined lab‐/household system, analysing existing product‐service‐systems as well as technical and socioeconomic influences focused on the social needs of people, aiming at the development of integrated technical and social innovations and simultaneously promoting the conditions of sustainable development (highest resource efficiency, highest user orientation, etc.). This approach allows the development and testing of sustainable domestic technologies, while putting the user on centre stage.Findings – As this paper discusses the design stud...

Higher education's sustainability imperative: how to practically respond?

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe four phases for how universities have addressed a sustainability agenda and offer specific lessons for how and where experiences on one campus, the University of Colorado Boulder, have been met with success and other challenges. The authors offer general reflections for executing university‐wide sustainability initiatives with a central intent of illuminating central barriers against, and incentives for, a coordinated and integrated approach to campus sustainability.Design/methodology/approach – The approach for arriving at four phases and a description of the University of Colorado Boulder is based on experiences from learning, teaching, and administering within universities–collectively for almost a century among the authors–and lessons from “war room” discussions.Findings – Sustainability initiatives on campus may evolve through a series of phases labeled: grassroots; executive acceptance of the business case for sustainability; the visionary campus le...

How to Educate Engineers for/in Sustainable Development: Ten Years of Discussion, Remaining Challenges.

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the process of changing engineering universities towards sustainable development (SD) It outlines the types of changes needed, both in respect of approaches, visions, philosophies and cultural change, which are crucial for engineering universities which want to implement sustainable development as part of their progammesDesign/methodology/approach – The paper describes various experiences which show how SD education programmes can be implemented at universities, and some of the challenges faced in efforts towards achieving such a goal It considers the various processes involved and raises some questions which can help to understand how universities, as learning organisations, can engage in the implementation of SD programmesFindings – The paper has established that engineers have to learn to think long term and position their activities in a pathway towards long‐term sustainable solutions This requires insight into the social environment of engineerin

Factors contributing to institutions achieving environmental sustainability

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine what factors contributed to three universities achieving environmental sustainability.Design/methodology/approach – A case study methodology was used to determine how each factor contributed to the institutions' sustainability. Site visits, fieldwork, document reviews, and interviews with administration, faculty, staff, and students from the participating institutions were employed as primary data collection strategies.Findings – The six factors identified in the literature as contributing to environmental sustainability were present at all three institutions: green campus operation measures; campus administration, organization, and leadership; teaching, research, and service; campus‐wide actions and activities; institutional assessment of campus sustainability measures; and established methods for overcoming barriers.Research limitations/implications – This study was delimited to the six factors that were identified in the literature and the three insti...

Towards a campus culture of environmental sustainability: Recommendations for a large university

Abstract: Purpose – The authors led an interdisciplinary team that developed recommendations for building a “culture of environmental sustainability” at the University of Michigan (UM), and the purpose of this paper is to provide guidance on how other institutions might promote pro‐environmental behaviors on their campuses.Design/methodology/approach – The authors synthesize research on fostering environmental behavior, analyze how current campus sustainability efforts align with that research, and describe how they developed research‐based recommendations to increase environmental sustainability on the UM campus.Findings – Analyses of prior research suggest that there are five factors that influence individuals' pro‐environment behaviors: knowledge of issues; knowledge of procedures; social incentives; material incentives; and prompts/reminders. Given these factors, UM should pursue three types of activities to support the development of pro‐environment behaviors: education, engagement, and assessment.Practical im...

Eco‐campus: applying the ecocity model to develop green university and college campuses

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to argue that Richard Register's ecocity model offers a strategic framework to help guide sustainability initiatives in North American higher education (HE) institutions.Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual paper examines the theory of the ecocity and investigates the implications for its proposed building strategies for university and colleges, as institutions seek to create more sustainable campuses. The paper examines previous efforts to achieve sustainability and how the concept of the eco‐campus can be practically and productively applied.Findings – There is no single campus that has fully embraced every facet of sustainability, but numerous HE institutions are strong leaders in diverse areas. The eco‐campus model provides concrete principles that proactively address HE institutions' ecological footprints and develops sustainable community practices.Social implications – Sustainability is a pressing social issue. As world leaders in research, innovation...

Sustainability knowledge and behaviors of apparel and textile undergraduates

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze changes in undergraduate student knowledge of issues of sustainability relevant to the apparel and textiles industry. Assessment occurred prior to and upon completion of a course that addressed topics specific to the global production and distribution of apparel and textile goods. The study also examined modifications in students' reported apparel purchasing behaviors.Design/methodology/approach – Participants included those in their third, fourth or fifth year of undergraduate education in the apparel and textile discipline at a higher education institution located in the Midwestern USA. All participants were enrolled in a course focused on globalization and the apparel and textile industry. Measures used to assess students' knowledge of social and environmental sustainability issues related to the industry and their apparel purchasing behavior were included in the research instrument.Findings – Pre and post comparisons revealed significant changes in stu...

Introducing sustainability into business education contexts using active learning

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how active learning may help address the legitimacy and practicability issues inherent in introducing education for sustainability into business‐related degree programs.Design/methodology/approach – The focus of this study is the experience of the authors in the development and implementation of education for sustainability within their business‐related higher education programs. To address the inherent challenges of the task, they apply the principles of active learning, with substantial use of problem‐based learning, in the classroom and engage in a process of staff development in their personal time. The method used is a simplified version of action research where the authors worked together over two years and then reflected on the experience through interviews and extensive discussions with each other, with their respective teaching teams, and with sustainability educators from outside of their programs.Findings – The findings suggest that active learn...

What do EESD “experts” think sustainability is? Which pedagogy is suitable to learn it? Results from interviews and Cmaps analysis gathered at EESD 2008

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study how experts on teaching sustainability in engineering education contextualize sustainability; also to evaluate the understanding of sustainability by engineering students. The final aim is to evaluate what pedagogy experts believe provides better opportunities for learning about sustainability in engineering education.Design/methodology/approach – The authors used conceptual maps (cmaps) analysis with two taxonomies of four and ten categories. The first taxonomy clusters the significance of sustainability in environmental, technological, social and institutional aspects and shows the main trends; the second (of ten categories) divides the previous categories into greater detail. To evaluate the experts' cmaps two indices were defined that provide information about what experts think sustainability is most related to and evaluate how complex they see the sustainability concept. In total, 500 students from five European engineering universities were then surve...

Creating sustainable development change agents through problem‐based learning: Designing appropriate student PBL projects

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues involved in designing appropriate problems or scenarios suitable for sustainable development (SD) education, in the context of problem‐based learning (PBL) and experiential learning. Manchester's PBL approach to interdisciplinary Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been well reported, for example, in papers at the Educating Engineers in Sustainable Development conference in 2008. This paper poses the question: to achieve transformational education, is design of student problems for ESD itself a wicked problem? The design process that has been used to generate ESD projects for one PBL unit is reflected upon, to share good practices and highlight points of ongoing contention.Design/methodology/approach – Working from the background to the original pilot project to develop an inter‐disciplinary course to heighten student skills in sustainability and change management, the paper looks at some of the theoretical approaches taken to the de...

Are we educating engineers for sustainability? Comparison between obtained competences and Swedish industry's needs

Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this study is to contribute to the quality improvement and long‐term strategic development of education for sustainable development (ESD) in engineering education curricula.Design/methodology/approach – The content in 70 courses in environment and SD were characterized and quantified using course document text analysis. Additionally, two questionnaires were sent to students and alumni at Chalmers, and interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with representatives from 16 Swedish companies and five organizations.Findings – It was found that industry demands a broader range of competences in SD amongst engineers in general than what is currently provided. In total, 35 per cent of alumni claim they encounter sustainability issues from sometimes to daily in their work. However, only half of them believe they possess enough competences to make decisions from a sustainability perspective. Quantity, coverage and the level of integration in the educational programme all appear to ...

Sustainability in business education in the Asia Pacific region: a snapshot of the situation

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide information about the extent to which sustainability is integrated into business school education and learning in the Asia Pacific region.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was developed, and administered to business schools in the Asia Pacific region. In addition to measuring the number of courses and programs integrating sustainability, the study solicited qualitative observations by respondents, to provide information and insight into the issues.Findings – The research found that whereas corporate governance, sustainability and business ethics were quite commonly taught in business schools, they were not generally prioritized. There was also an overall lack of systematic approaches to the integration of sustainability in business curricula, and significant barriers to the integration of sustainability into programs remained.Originality/value – This is the first region‐wide survey of sustainability in business education in the Asia Pacific region.

The university and transformation towards sustainability: The strategy used at Chalmers University of Technology

Abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present the strategy used for achieving change towards sustainability at Chalmers University of Technology (Chalmers) Examples of how this strategy has been used are described and discussed, and exemplified with different lines of activities in a project on Education for Sustainable Development, the ESD project Design/methodology/approach - The strategy consists of three important building blocks: Create a neutral arena; Build on individual engagement and involvement; and Communicate a clear commitment from the management team The analysis is made along three different lines of activities in the ESD project: The work to improve the quality of the compulsory courses on sustainable development; The efforts to integrate ESD into educational programmes; and The work to collect and spread information on good teaching practices within ESD Some other related examples where the strategy has been applied are also presented Findings - The ESD project functioned as a neutral arena since it was not placed at any specific department but rather engaged participants from many departments This neutral arena has been important, for example, to increase the willingness of teachers to share their good teaching examples The process was successful in creating a shared responsibility and for starting learning processes in many individuals by the involvement of a broad range of educational actors at Chalmers The strong and clear commitment from the management team has worked as a driving force Originality/value - This paper can provide valuable input to universities that struggle with change processes

The Importance of Industrial Ecology in Engineering Education for Sustainable Development.

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how industrial ecology can facilitate the achievement of sustainable development through its incorporation into an engineering curriculum.Design/methodology/approach – A model has been developed for assessing sustainability learning outcomes due to the incorporation of the concept of industrial ecology into undergraduate and postgraduate engineering programs. This model assesses how the Engineering Faculty at Curtin University has included a core engineering unit (Engineering for Sustainable Development) and four postgraduate units (Cleaner Production Tools, Eco‐efficiency, Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Technology) in its undergraduate and postgraduate engineering program, to enable modern engineering education to reflect the benefits of industrial ecology in the implementation of sustainable engineering solutions and decision‐making processes. Using this model, this paper demonstrates how the syllabus, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary assignment ...

Embracing the learning paradigm to foster systems thinking

Abstract: Purpose – Michigan State University developed an undergraduate, academic specialization in sustainability based on the learning paradigm. The purpose of this paper is to share initial findings on assessment of systems thinking competency.Design/methodology/approach – The 15‐week course served 14 mostly third and fourth‐year students. Assessment of learning arose through one short answer exam, one interactive small group dialogue exam, homework assignments, completion of an online community engagement tutorial, and completion of a final reflective project (either in a group or individual).Findings – The range of assessments enabled the authors to provide “frequent and ongoing feedback,” “a long time horizon for learning,” and “stable communities of practice.” Students had multiple opportunities to demonstrate their learning progress in a variety of forms and contexts across multiple intelligences.Research limitations/implications – Despite attempts to actively promote the kind of frequent and authentic ass...

Sustainability in chemical engineering curriculum

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a concentrated strategy to embed sustainability teaching into a (chemical) engineering undergraduate curriculum throughout the whole programme. Innovative teaching approaches in subject‐specific context are described and their efficiency investigated.Design/methodology/approach – The activities in chemical engineering include a week‐long module introducing fundamentals of chemical engineering in the first year, a number of industrially relevant case studies within enquiry based learning (EBL) that have a great societal impact. Information regarding the transition towards EBL, the case studies on fuel cell effectiveness and sustainable plant design are provided in this contribution. Emphasis is placed on the methods of assessment of student learning, and evaluation of student preferences of delivery is included. Student focus groups and diamond ranking are used to evaluate the effectiveness of delivery.Findings – Focus groups and diamond ranking have confi...

Exploring key sustainable development themes through learning activities

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to examine how a number of key themes are introduced in the Master's programme in Engineering for Sustainable Development, at Cambridge University, through student‐centred activities. These themes include dealing with complexity, uncertainty, change, other disciplines, people, environmental limits, whole life costs, and trade‐offs.Design/methodology/approach – The range of exercises and assignments designed to encourage students to test their own assumptions and abilities to develop competencies in these areas are analysed by mapping the key themes onto the formal activities which all students undertake throughout the core MPhil programme. The paper reviews the range of these activities that are designed to help support the formal delivery of the taught programme. These include residential field courses, role plays, change challenges, games, systems thinking, multi criteria decision making, awareness of literature from other disciplines and consultancy projects. An ax...

Challenges in the development of environmental management systems on the modern university campus

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe challenges and lessons learned in the design and development of a comprehensive, flexible environmental management system (EMS) in a real university setting; also to inform development of similar systems elsewhere and provide a modular, extensible software architecture for such efforts.Design/methodology/approach – A modular, flexible software architecture was designed as the cornerstone of a comprehensive, secure web‐based data collection and analysis framework. Environmental data such as utility usages, waste generation and transportation services were identified, collected, and entered into the evolving system. The system is easily extensible to new environmental data types, and supported manual and automated data entry, custom “at‐the‐source data entry” mechanisms, and flexible tools for visually analyzing environmental data captured.Findings – Development of automated EMS systems for large institutions is significantly complicated by profound heterog...

Teaching engineering ethics with sustainability as context

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the engagement and response of students to the teaching of engineering ethics incorporating a macro ethical framework whereby sustainability is viewed as context to professional practice. This involves incorporating a broader conception of engineering than is typically applied in conventional teaching of engineering ethics.Design/methodology/approach – A real life wicked problem case study assignment was developed. Students' understanding and practical application of the concepts were considered. A survey was conducted to gauge students' appreciation of the professional importance and their enjoyment of the subject matter.Findings – It was found that students appreciate and enjoy a macro ethical sustainability informed approach, but find it more challenging to apply in practice.Practical implications – The paper demonstrates an approach to the teaching of engineering ethics using a practical example, which can help broaden engineers' self‐perceived role ...

Embedding of ESD in engineering education: Experiences from Chalmers University of Technology

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on methods developed, within a three‐year Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) project at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, to achieve a higher degree of embedding of ESD in engineering programmes. The major emphasis is on methods used, results achieved and lessons learned from the work.Design/methodology/approach – The basic idea that methods and activities were built on was that the only way to achieve long‐term changes is to increase the motivation and capacity of lecturers and program directors to perform the required changes.Findings – Activities that were developed and tested focused on coaching discussions and on workshops for teachers, gathering teachers from one programme at a time. These activities aimed at starting learning processes in individuals. Special care was taken into keeping the feeling of responsibility and initiative in the faculty members within the programmes. A special “resource group” of experienced E...

Introducing whole‐systems design to first‐year engineering students with case studies

Abstract: Purpose – A whole‐systems approach, which seeks to optimize an entire system for multiple benefits, not isolated components for single benefits, is essential to engineering design for radically improved sustainability performance. Based on real‐world applications of whole‐systems design, the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is developing educational case studies to help engineers expand their whole‐systems thinking. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of these case studies in multiple sections of a first‐year engineering course.Design/methodology/approach – The comprehension of whole‐systems principles by 165 first‐year engineering students at Clemson University was evaluated through surveys and open‐ended questionnaires, before and after introducing the educational case studies.Findings – The pilot study results show that introducing the case studies improves students' consideration of several essential whole‐systems design concepts. The case studies were particularly effective in st...

Tertiary student attitudes to bicycle commuting in a regional Australian university

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide executive management at a regional university with empirical data to justify, or otherwise, a substantial outlay of funds to support bicycle commuting as a viable strategy for the reduction of traffic congestion.Design/methodology/approach – A custom designed questionnaire was completed by 270 participants who were enrolled in a first year undergraduate science, technology and society course which focussed on the environment and sustainability issues. The questionnaire targeted the likelihood that participants would use a bicycle to commute to university and the factors which influenced the decision to bicycle commute.Findings – Principal components analysis identified a common underlying construct which addressed the likelihood to ride to university and involved the opportunity to ride on bike paths, the availability of appropriate facilities at the institution, knowledge of other people who rode to university and the number of study contact hours on a gi...

A pre‐ and post‐evaluation of integrating sustainability curriculum by inserting Okala modules into an interior design materials and methods course

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the integration of Okala curriculum into Interior Design coursework. Okala, as a teaching package, is utilized extensively in industrial design education. However, this study examines the expansion and insertion of Okala modules in an existing interior design curriculum. The Okala modules included were: broad ecological information, eco‐design history, and strategies and processes for ecological design implementation. To interpret if the integration was effective, an online survey was developed and distributed to students enrolled in the course.Design/methodology/approach – The survey was administered at the end of the spring 2009 semester. To evaluate the effectiveness of Okala modules and the perceived perceptions of the students' awareness toward the environment – ecologically, economically and sustainably – the researchers used the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) questionnaire. Developed by Dunlap and Van Liere in 1978, the NEP has been a reliable instru...

Using screening level environmental life cycle assessment to aid decision making: A case study of a college annual report

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this study is to compare the life cycle environmental impacts of the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Sciences' current printed annual report to a version distributed via the internet.Design/methodology/approach – Life cycle environmental impacts of both versions of the report are modeled using the online environmental input‐output life cycle assessment (EIO‐LCA) tool. Most monetary model inputs were obtained from the University of Cincinnati and the others were estimated. Results are presented for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy use, water use, and human and ecosystem health impacts. Alternative scenarios reflecting different reader behaviors were evaluated.Findings – The electronic report reduces economic costs and all categories of environmental impacts so long as the recipients do not print the report at home. Impacts of the printed report were higher than the electronic report due to impacts associated with paper production and disposal and t...

A systems approach to reducing institutional GHG emissions

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish necessity and methods for considering greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation policies at a system‐level. The research emphasizes connecting narrowly focused GHG mitigation objectives (e.g. reduce single occupancy vehicle travel) with broader institutional objectives (e.g. growth in student population) to demonstrate how policies operating at different scales individually and collectively influence GHG reductions.Design/methodology/approach – First, a framework for defining divergent policy types and associated GHG impacts is developed. Second, relying on data from a higher education institution, a quantitative model for testing policy impacts is formulated. Last, through adjustment of the model's policy levers, GHG emission trajectories by policy type are compared.Findings – The central finding is that broad level policies associated with housing stock and student growth are more capable of influencing GHG emissions than traditionally classified mitigation poli...

Persistence of change: fume hood campaign lessons

Abstract: Purpose – Sustainability initiatives typically operate for a limited time period, but it is often unclear whether they have lasting effects. The purpose of this paper is to examine a laboratory fume hood campaign, in order to identify factors that might contribute or detract from long‐term change persistence.Design/methodology/approach – The University of Toronto Sustainability Office ran a fume hood sash‐closing campaign in one building for a four‐month period. The campaign had two components: awareness‐raising, where the safety and energy benefits of sash‐closing were explained through posters, presentations, and a website; and a competition where participants received raffle tickets when their sashes were in compliance during unannounced inspections. Sash heights were recorded six and a half months before the campaign, throughout the campaign itself, and eight months after the campaign. Surveys and focus groups were used to assess participant attitudes and experiences.Findings – The campaign was effect...

A Community of Practice in Teacher Education: Insights and Perceptions.

Abstract: Grounded in the construct of community of practice, the authors discuss the Teacher-Learner Community (TLC), where the goal is to support the development of pre-service teachers’ understanding of culture, community, and background in learning. Insights and perceptions of preservice teachers were gathered after implementing a TLC designed to prepare them to work with English language learners (ELLs). Sharing these insights and perceptions, the authors discuss TLC’s potential role in influencing pre-service teachers’ beliefs and understanding of ELLs.

Eco-Campus: The Application of the Eco-City Model to the Development of Green University and College Campuses

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to argue that Richard Register’s ecocity model offers a strategic framework to help guide sustainability initiatives in North American higher education (HE) institutions. Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual paper examines the theory of the ecocity and investigates the implications for its proposed building strategies for university and colleges, as institutions seek to create more sustainable campuses. The paper examines previous efforts to achieve sustainability and how the concept of the eco-campus can be practically and productively applied. Findings – There is no single campus that has fully embraced every facet of sustainability, but numerous HE institutions are strong leaders in diverse areas. The eco-campus model provides concrete principles that proactively address HE institutions’ ecological footprints and develops sustainable community practices. Social implications – Sustainability is a pressing social issue. As world leaders in research, innovation, and education, universities and colleges are key places to address this global issue and foster progressive action within current and future generations. The eco-campus approach represents an opportunity to initiate a cultural paradigm shift, whereby university and colleges become global leaders in sustainability. Originality/value – While sustainability is now a cornerstone of research and teaching, North American HE institutions are faced with the challenge of realigning institutional practices, processes and resources to fully institute sustainability on campus. The eco-campus model provides an innovative guide around which to hinge the development of sustainable institutional practices, structure progressive action, and foster meaningful change.

Engineering the climate : the ethics of solar radiation management

Abstract: Introduction: The Extraordinary Ethics of Solar Radiation Management Christopher J. Preston Part I. Present and Future Generations Chapter 1: Geoengineering, Solidarity, and Moral Risk Marion Hourdequin Chapter 2: Might Solar Radiation Management Constitute a Dilemma? Konrad Ott Chapter 3: Domination and the Ethics of Solar Radiation Management Patrick Taylor Smith Part II. Marginalized, Vulnerable, and Voiceless Populations Chapter 4: Indigenous Peoples, Solar Radiation Management, and Consent Kyle Powys Whyte Chapter 5: Solar Radiation Management and Vulnerable Populations: The Moral Deficit and its Prospects Christopher J. Preston Chapter 6: Solar Radiation Management and Non-human Species Ronald Sandler Part III. Moral Hazards and Hidden Benefits Chapter 7: The World That Would Have Been: Moral Hazard Arguments Against Geoengineering Ben Hale Chapter 8: Climate Remediation to Address Social Development Challenges: Going Beyond Cost Benefit and Risk Approaches to Assessing Solar Radiation Management Holly Jean Buck Part IV. Ethics of Framing and Rhetoric Chapter 9: Insurance Policy or Technological Fix: The Ethical Implications of Framing Solar Radiation Management Dane Scott Chapter 10: Public Concerns About the Ethics of Solar Radiation Management Wylie Carr, Ashley Mercer, and Clare Palmer Part V. The Cultural Milieu Chapter 11: The Setting of the Scene: Technological Fixes and the Design of the Good Life Albert Borgmann Chapter 12: Between Babel and Pelagius: Religion, Theology, and Geoengineering Forrest Clingerman Chapter 13: Making Climates: Solar Radiation Management and the Ethics of Fabrication\" by Maia Galarraga and Bronislaw Szerszynski