Trinity introduces interdisciplinary sustainability education

Posted on: 26 September 2024

All first-year students in Trinity Business School are enrolled in this module, which was developed to be “radically interdisciplinary,” with students learning the history, science, politics, economics and ethics of balancing earth’s systems so that humanity can thrive while respecting the ecological limits of our finite planet.  Workshops are problem-based and engage students with competencies and skills needed to grapple with the global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.  

All students with business as part of their degree will be enrolled, including Global Business, Business Economics and Social Studies, Law and Business, Computer Science and Business, Management Science and Information System Studies and Business with a language.

An interdisciplinary group of academics at Trinity, referred to as the Fellows in Education for Sustainable Development, led the design and development of this module in partnership with student interns from a variety of backgrounds. The interns informed the module topics, co-developed the workshops and trialed them with staff and other students.

The ESD Fellows, in collaboration with Trinity’s Centre for Academic Practice, are also working to support staff to embed ESD in curriculums across Trinity by providing professional development and resources. These ESD Fellows, who will work closely with pedagogical experts in the Centre for Academic Practice, comprise members from each of the faculties – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Health Sciences, and Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Key to bringing this module to life is Associate Professor Norah Campbell, who is leading the 5-credit module in Trinity Business School.  She adds “this module - over a year in design with staff and students from all over Trinity - gives students the chance to understand issues not normally taught in Business Schools - Earth System Science, the materials economy, corporate political activity and colonialism. Our students will leave with a true appreciation of scale, and the confidence to see the part they will play in transformative change in the business world.”

Professor Jane Stout, Vice President of Biodiversity and Climate Action adds “by embedding these issues in the curriculum, we can prepare future generations to act as agents of change for sustainable development, in both their professional and personal lives. The aim is for all Trinity students and teaching staff to be empowered to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to promote sustainable development within planetary boundaries.”

ESD Fellows activities are funded by the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) Funding through the Higher Education Authority.

You can find out more information on Trinity's ESD programme on the Trinity Teaching and Learning site here. 

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• Business
• Sustainability