Colin Hocking Robert Ford Angela Daddow Teaching & learning Portal

1. Top Down, Bottom Up, Institution Wide: Coordinating & Growing Education for Sustainability Across a University Colin Hocking Robert Ford Angela Daddow Teaching & learning Portal http://tls.vu.edu.au/portal/index.aspx October, 2011

2. Victoria University is: . Multi-sector – degree, diploma & certificate, entry level • 50,000 + students across 12 campuses in Melbourne & Asia • Primary Uni in Melbourne’s west – part of our statute of formation • January 2011: new Vice-Chancellor => Sept 2011: new Strategic Plan until 2016: • Values include: “The staff and students of Victoria University demonstrate respect for others from diverse countries and cultures, educational and socio-economic backgrounds, and for the natural environment. “ • High Level Learning & Teaching Goals include: “VU will be committed to ... education for sustainability to ensure our graduates contribute to the long term sustainability of our natural environment.” (one of six)

3. Victoria University is:

4. Where we are now in EfS • EfS committee – under Pro VC Academic & Students • To implement the National Action Plan for EfS: “ provide people with the knowledge, skills & motivation to plan and make changes for sustainability ” For Higher Education – across all courses For TAFE & Vocational Education – in all national training packages • Sustainability Ed. Officer + staff in Curriculum Innovation Unit working on EfS + other staff being appointed (e.g. In Tech Trades & Innovation) • EfS coordinates with VU Enviro.Committee=>Operations & Infrastructure e.g. Greenhouse Gas reductions; Water savings; Waste minimisation; Biodiversity • EfS Work plan for 2011 • Bottom up as well as top down process • EfS policy for VU under construction

5. EfS Work Plan for 2011 Framework for Development of EfS at VU TOP DOWN, BOTTOM UP, INSTITUTION WIDE Council, Vice Chancellor & Senior Management – support & leadership External Groups & Businesses EfS Policy – under devel. PVC Students & Academic EfS Strategies EfS Committee Curriculum Innovation Unit Research Centres: ISI CESARE CSS Student Clubs & Projects (Student Leadership BUILD A CULTURE OF EfS ACROSS VU FAEHD FOHES FBL VE FE Networking & Professional Development Support - for Champions & Innovators Networking & Professional Development Support for Teachers & Course Coordinators/Developers Six Faculties across Higher Ed, Vocational Ed, Further Ed

6. How we got to this point...the story Vic. State Steering Group for EfS in Tertiary Ed – 6 yrs old Sharing ideas – Driver for progress across institutions – ’Bootstrapping’ Sept-Dec 2008: Exec Deans Meetings at VU Position paper on EfS to Education Review Board June 2009 – position paper to peak VU committee June 2010– formation of EfS committee - National Action Plan for EfS made this simpler A ready-made, effective definition of EfS Policy at national level Across Higher Ed & Vocational Ed & Community March 2011 – Sustainability Ed. Officer + staff in Curriculum Innovation Unit working on EfS Sept 2011 EfS formalised in VU Strategic Plan

7. The journey... Top down... ALREADY ACHIEVED • Sustainability embedded in VU mission & VU values + one of six high level education goals in VU strategy • EfS embedded in Annual Course Monitoring Process • EfS Committee set up – reporting to VC’s education advisory cttee • Extension of Sustainability Ed Officer position for 2 years NEAR FUTURE • Review of Learning and Teaching policy to include EfS • Review of VU Grad. Cert. In Tertiary Ed to include EfS in curriculum • New Curriculum framework - 2012 will incorporate EfS in University curricula

8.  The journey…bottom up Snapshots of progress Workshops on ‘Clarifying EfS at VU’ – in progress Start-up Community of Practice – travels between Faculties monthly Embedding EfS in curricula examples – Footscray gardens; Sports & Science (later session at AASHE); Traditional Trades New Position in Fac. Tech.Trades & Innovation External Links Sustainability Victoria Links with Local Government e.g. Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action

9. Campus as a site of EfS learning ... Practice Firm: A learning in the workplace initiative a 6-star sustainable building that provides Learning in the Workplace and Community (“LiWC”) experiences to a wide range of higher education and TAFE students. Sunshine Construction Futures Purpose-built, innovative 6 star facility - to support the development of the building and construction industries in Melbourne’s west. Sport and Learning Precinct - Specialist 5 star sports education & research facilities - Includes a VU-wide ‘Learning Commons’

10. What we can see on the journey – Institution wide • EfS in discourse & culture across VU • Campus sustainability more wide-spread • Development of student –based projects and other engagement with sustainability • More partnerships with industry and professional associations - influencing VE teaching, applied research and internal & external university collaboration • More incorporation of EfS in courses & subjects – supported by clear guidelines for assessment of EfS in new & revised courses?

11. Lessons Learnt ☼ Avoid imposition of policy that alienates staff - implement via two-way consultation ☼ EfS can be aligned as part of development of quality education pedagogy of EfS aligns with leading practice in tertiary education = active, engaged, problem-solving, multi-disciplinary, blended learning ☼ Professional development & support in two parts: generic PD for understanding what EfS & how to progress support staff in discipline areas to embed EfS in their own areas of learning & teaching ☼ Having a specific EfS Committee has benefits - focuses squarely on learning & teaching NEEDS close liaison with other VU sustainability areas e.g. Environment Committee; Research Centres

12. Colin Hocking - Sustainability Project Officer, Academic and Students colin.hocking@vu.edu.au Robert Ford - Educational Advisor, Curriculum Innovation Unit robert.ford@vu.edu.au Angela Daddow – Educational Advisor, Curriculum Innovation Unit angela.daddow@vu.edu.au Teaching & Learning Portal http://tls.vu.edu.au/portal/index.aspx CONTACT DETAILS

13. VU: EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY VALUE & High Level Learning & Teaching Goal Respect for ... natural environment & ... Commitment to EfS ... Environment Charter Environment Policy DVC C&MS Finance & Infrastructure Committee DVC A & S Educational Management Advisory Cttee Environment Management Plan (EMP) 2009 -2012 • Projects: • - Resource Efficiency • Behaviour Change • Clarifying EfS • Commty of Practice Education for Sustainability (EfS) Committee Environment Committee

14. Where to from here... Aim: EfS in conversations & culture across VU • Spread EfS across sectors and disciplines • Clarify faculty-based incorporation of EfS in courses & subjects • Provide clear guidelines for assessment of EfS in new & revised courses • Campus sustainability more wide-spread • Student –based projects and other engagement with sustainability • Partnerships with industry and professional associations - infiltrating VE teaching; applied research and internal university collaboration

15. Immediate focus... • Clarify what EfS is for VU – within overall National Action Plan • Professional Development of Staff – two parts: Generic & Discipline-based • Discipline-context workshops to elicit and articulate EfS in curricula • Build & broaden participation in CoP’s – beyond enthusiasts • Document leading practice case studies in a range of disciplines • Strengthen links with other sustainability efforts in VU • Campus operations; student leadership; research centres • Build a team of engaged EfS champions – across faculties & sectors

16. Community of Practice Objectives • Provide examples => document case studies • Share ideas & strategies • Networking • Feed-back to overall EfS development in VU Senior Management Support • First CoP launched by Pro-ViceChancellor Greg Baxter - with outline of plan for EfS at VU & how CoP fits in