News from the net

Citation

(2011), "News from the net", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 12 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe.2011.24912daa.014

News from the net

Article Type: News from the net From: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Volume 12, Issue 4

The Higher Education Academy (HEA) Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Priorities, 2011-2012

The UK-based HEA’s work on ESD has been refreshed for 2011-2012 to reflect changes to the HEA’s organisational structure and the new focus of our work. The following has been developed with input from our Advisory Group but has not yet been finalised, so comments would be welcome. It forms part of the HEA’s broader current work on developing our new strategic plan for the next five years.

Revised vision, mission and aims

Vision: “Institutions and subject communities develop curricula and pedagogy that enhance graduates’ capabilities to contribute to sustainable and just societies”.

Mission: “To provide strategic leadership for ESD in the higher education (HE) sector”.

This translates into four strategic aims:

1. 1.

   To make a leading contribution to evidence-informed development of ESD policy and practice across the HE sector.

2. 2.

   To build capacity amongst individuals, subject communities and institutions to embed ESD in curricula and pedagogy and support strategic change across the HE sector.

3. 3.

   To develop strategic and operational partnerships with key stakeholders across professional, business and community sectors.

4. 4.

   To stimulate the dissemination of ESD policy, research and practice across HE and the professions.

And four resulting programme areas:

1. 1.

   research and development to influence policy and practice;

2. 2.

   capacity building of individuals, communities and institutions;

3. 3.

   development of strategic cross-sector partnerships; and

4. 4.

   stimulating dissemination.

The HEA has been working with institutions and subject communities since 2005 to develop curriculum and pedagogy that will give students the skills and knowledge to live and work sustainably. We contribute to national policy development in ESD across the UK and work with partner organisations such as the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges and the NUS. We also promote student involvement in ESD, as students are champions and potential change agents for sustainable development in HE. All four of the HEA’s funders (HEFCE, SFC, HEFCW, and DELNI) have highlighted ESD as a priority area where they are seeking the HEA’s support to the sector. Details on the Academy’s works can be seen at: www.heacademy.ac.uk/esd