Towards a sustainable University. Progress in the journey of the University of the West of England, Bristol

Longhurst, JWS; Gough, Georgina

Abstract

This presentation explores the approach taken by UWE Bristol over more than 20 years to develop its whole institution approach to sustainability with particular reference to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). It discusses the institutional policy hierarchy within which sustainability is located including Strategy 2020 and the subordinate Sustainability Plan and ESD Action Plan, describes the governance arrangements within which sustainability activity is framed and explores the place of ESD within the Quality Management and Enhancement Framework. The important role of external verification of progress is noted with particular importance attached to ISO14001-2015 certification and Responsible Futures accreditation. Outcomes of the approach are discussed and reflections on the role of quality manage processes in normalising ESD presented. Throughout the presentation the importance of shared responsibility across the institution is noted. The student voice in the sustainability journey has been a vitally important one and the partnership working with the Students’ Union and the SU’s Green Team, the largest group in the SU, are identified as key success factors.

Citation

Longhurst, J., & Gough, G. (2018, January). Towards a sustainable University. Progress in the journey of the University of the West of England, Bristol. Presented at Sustainability in Higher Education Conference

• Presentation Conference Type: Speech
• Conference Name: Sustainability in Higher Education Conference
• Start Date: Jan 10, 2018
• End Date: Jan 11, 2018
• Acceptance Date: Jan 11, 2018
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: education for sustainable development, UWE Bristol, sustainability policy, sustainability plan, quality management
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Sustainability in Higher Education Conference