EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

(ESD)

An interview for

Professor Brian Chalkley

University of Brighton

Friday 17th October 2008

CURRICULUM DIRECTOR FOR EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT• To encourage the embedding of ESD

within courses across the University and in extra-curricular activities

• To support the development of relevant learning and teaching materials

• To design and deliver an appropriate staff development programme

• To act as a champion for ESD throughout the institution

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?

Meeting the needs of the present without

compromising the ability of future

generations to meet their own needs

(WCED, 1987)

Not cheating on the kids

WHY SHOULD THE UNIVERSITY TAKE ESD SERIOUSLY? DOES IT MATTER?

• Engagement with major global/national issues

• Transition to a low carbon economy• Educate tomorrow’s leaders, citizens and

employees• Marketing and recruitment (student

interest)• Build on existing expertise at Brighton• HEFCE’s SD Strategy

HEFCE’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT VISION

“Our vision is that within the next ten

years the higher education sector will be

recognised as a major contributor to

society’s efforts to achieve

sustainability”

HEFCE’S VISION IS CONTESTED

“It is one of the most pernicious and dangerous circulars ever to be issued. It represents the final assault on the last freedom of universities……………. It is not the job of universities to promote a particular political orthodoxy.”

Peter Knight, VC University of Central England, February 2005

IS EDUCATION THE ANSWER?

“The volume of education has increased,yet so have the dangers of ecologicalcatastrophe. If still more education is tosave us it will have to be education of avery different kind”

(Schumacher)

WHAT EXPERTISE DOES THE POST-HOLDER NEED?

• Understanding of ESD in HE

• Personal track record in teaching and ESD

• Dissemination experience: conferences and publications

• Readiness to work across disciplines

So, subject background is irrelevant

BC’S QUALIFICATIONS• Publications and conferences in ESD• Contributed to HEFCE’s SD Strategy• Involved in HE Academy’s ESD programme• Teaches ESD at Plymouth• Part of Plymouth’s ESD CETL• HEA National Teaching Fellow and Senior Fellow• I’m from the south east• Hard-working!

HOW DOES MY DISCIPLINE CONNECT TO ESD?

• Social science eg consumerism

• Architecture eg low energy design

• Engineering eg sea defences

• Business eg CSR policies

(www.heacademy.ac.uk/sustainability.htm)

ESD IN STILL MORE DISCIPLINES

• Economics eg Stern Report

• Languages eg SD in France, China, etc.

• Hospitality eg Green Tourism

• Computing eg IT and energy saving

• English eg ecoliteracy

(www.heacademy.ac.uk/sustainability.htm)

COURSE AND CURRICULUM INITIATIVES

• New programmes

• New modules

• New “podules” (infusionism)

• Generic modules (electives)

• Interdisciplinary approaches

• Be positive and cheerful!

SOME LOCAL ADVANTAGES

• SD research (eg IF Lab, annual SD Research Forum)

• CSBE (Centre for Sustainability of the Built Environment)

• Environmental Action Network

• ESCALATE & DEEDS projects

• Local subject specific guidance

• The “volunteering” module

AND WHERE DOES THIS STATEMENT COME FROM?

University aims

“to respond to the imperative and obligations of sustainable development, financially, environmentally and educationally”

BUT THERE ARE LOCAL CHALLENGES

• Working across disciplines and sites

• Finding the resources – time & money

• Developing staff expertise and confidence

• Linking to related agendas

• Green League position – OK but room for improvement (35th)

WHAT CAN UNIVERSITIES DO?

THE FOUR CsIn addition to SD research:

CURRICULUM: knowledge, skills, values

CAMPUS: buildings, energy

COMMUNITY: local leadership

CULTURE: values

USE THE FOUR “C”s MODEL

Curriculum

CommunityCampus

Culture

TAKING ESD INITIATIVES

• Conduct “where are we now?” audit

• Prepare policies and find champions

• Campus, exhibitions and events

• Students Union

• Staff development (capacity building)

• Use the HE Academy Subject Centres

• Use the two ESD CETLs

• Win hearts and minds