Workshop: How to implement education for sustainability at the core of an higher education institution

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Author
Marie Weiss
Co-Author Dr. Marie Weiss Dr. Ingrid Mulà Dr. Anne Zimmermann Mario Diethardt
Description The aim of the research lab is to collaboratively design actions to transform higher education institutions. The research question is: How can individual leadership be supported to “transform and redesign” (Sterling & Thomas 2006) higher education institutions (HEIs) and provide education (and research) “as sustainability”? As a basis for such a discussion, we will briefly present results from two studies. First, results of a meta-study (case-survey analysis) of 131 HEIs around the world showing six distinct implementation patterns: (1) collaborative paradigm change, (2) bottom-up, evolving institutional change, (3) top-down, mandated institutional change, (4) externally driven initiatives, (5) isolated initiatives, and (6) limited institutional change. We will also show what drivers and barriers can be derived from these implementation patterns. Second, to illustrate some drivers, especially individuals taking leadership to transform their HEIs, we will present results from a qualitative study based on interviews with sustainability champions from six different European HEIs. These insights illuminate how individuals help transform their HEIs and how they cope with barriers. Participants will be invited during the presentation of the results to contribute through interactive reflection tasks.
Topic Moving from learning about to learning for and as sustainability
Format Research lab
Bio Marie Weiss is a Post-Doc researcher at the Institute for Sustainable Development and Learning (ISDL) at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany. Her research focuses on how to transform higher education institutions so that these arrive at a deep-rooted and comprehensive integration of sustainability in all areas and disciplines. In her doctoral thesis, she identified six distinct implementation patterns from HEIs around the world, from which other HEIs can derive insights to plan such a transformation. She also focuses on sustainability competency development and transdisciplinary research and teaching. With a background in environmental science (BSc) and sustainability science (MSc), she has a broad understanding of factors influencing the transition to a more sustainable future.