Research institutions are the main source of the innovation and discovery that drives our global economy, produces advances in our standard of living and helps us understand the world around us. The integration of sustainability into the research we do and the way research is carried out can have a huge impact on the behaviours of researchers but also the outputs and outcomes of the research itself.
For research-intensive institutions the integration of sustainability from the two different perspectives outlined below can have a major contribution in demonstrating the commitment to sustainability but also lead to new thinking and more sustainable ways to achieve new thinking and new breakthroughs.
1. Sustainable Research: This relates to research that is set-up and/or delivered in a way that minimises environmental or sustainability impacts. For example, research projects that actively employ methodologies that minimise environmental impacts such as employing teleconference or video conferencing rather than extensive travel, or research that minimises carbon impacts through use of highly energy efficient equipment
2. Research into Sustainability: This describes research that contributes to or develops knowledge or understanding of some element of sustainability. For example, research that focuses upon low carbon technologies or provides solutions to environmental problems, or research that investigates some area of sustainability e.g. attitudes to sustainability, pedagogies for Education for Sustainable Development etc.
If you could offer research as a resource of the Sustainability Exchange, please get in touch. We work with academics to provide workshop sessions at the EAUC conference and we are now working with the International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education.
This report produced by Jack Ruane, MSc Student at University College London and endorsed by EAUC aims to present exemplary cases of HEIs in the global South working towards...
Sustainability Leadership Scorecard (SLS) Annual Report 2020
An ambitious multidisciplinary report from the Cambridge Zero Policy Forum on how we can ensure a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
STAFF: Dr Amanda Slevin, Queen’s University Belfast
STAFF: Dr Katherine Haxton, Keele University
STAFF: Grounds & Gardens Team, University of Leicester
STAFF: Dr Maggy Fostier and Dr Ruth Grady, The University of Manchester
STUDENT: Emma Kidd, Glasgow Caledonian University
STUDENT: Margaret Jennings, Goldsmiths, University of London
STUDENT: Charlotte Evans and Millicent Sutton, University of St Andrews
STUDENT: Meggie Eloy and Carla Field, University of Leicester
Cibele Machado Fontoura, Kingston School of Art
Nalinee Netithammakorn, De Montfort University
Tackling chronic lung disease in Africa
Jali Ardhi: Care of the land
Digitalising sustainable consumption
Desert Garden
HyDeploy: A research and innovation partnership for decarbonising the nation’s gas network
Domesticating the energy grass Miscanthus to combat climate change
This article builds on the systemic framework for connecting ESD learning outcomes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) we developed in our previous article and...
Climate Change FAQs: Causes, Impacts and Action
University of Surrey is sharing good practice in the latest Staff and Student Sustainability Survey
Climate change is not only a risk in itself to operational, teaching and research activities, but also a multiplier of many other risks. It is vital that considerations of...
Green Gown Awards 2019 - James Turner, University of the West of England - Finalist
Green Gown Awards 2019 - Scott Stephens, Exeter College Technology Centre - Finalist
Green Gown Awards 2019 - Adam John Proctor, Keele University - Finalist
Green Gown Awards 2019 - James Boyd, University of Leicester - Finalist
Report of the Expert Panel on Environmental Charging and Other Measures: Recommendations on Single-use Disposable Beverage Cups
Has sustainability education been ‘tamed’ to fit with the performativity culture in which reporting and measuring ultimately drive practice? There are a growing...
Many attempts have been made to influence behaviour in a positive way e.g. recycling correctly, using design-thinking, participatory design, and choice architecture. However,...
EAUC and the Higher Education Business Continuity Network (HEBCoN) have been working with a group of Members over the last year, with the support of AECOM, to develop a guide...
Exploring the benefits of applied learning and research for student learning outcomes and graduate attributes, this session shared learning from across the sector.
This paper discussed the outcome of the research workshop called ‘Crowd Research’ conducted with final year undergraduate students at Nottingham Trent University.
Why don’t more people see the urgency around climate change and take more action? Why are we sleepwalking our way into changes that will affect the future of humanity?
Sustainability: our sector’s current best chance of responding to the urgent demands of climate science – new report A cross-sector partnership advocating for...
The University of Edinburgh's Social Responsibility and Sustainability Department have published the institutions progress since 2012. The 2017-18 Report is now...
Research has shown that the environment profession is amongst the least diverse occupations in the UK. We've worked with IEMA and The Equality Trust to find out more
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), is inviting calls for research proposals under its Sustainability Hub.
Living Lab
Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) - Keele University
Research and Innovation case study: Collaboration leads to £4.2million supermarket deal for Devon dairy
The EAUC-Scotland 2018 Conference, A Decade of Progress, celebrated successes from the decade past, and visioned the decade ahead.
University of Salford – Salford Energy House and Smart Meters Lab
A collaboration between Glasgow School of Art, University of Glasgow and Glasgow City Council; helping communicate sustainability data better and engage staff and students.
The University of Cambridge’s Sustainable Food Policy aims to reduce the central catering department’s impact on the environment through, among other initiatives,...
University of the West of England
University of Leicester
Exeter College Technology Centre
Our future with clean air: ClairCity citizen-led air pollution reduction in cities
LOOSing Water
Leeds Living Lab: Where knowledge grows
Seawater greenhouse technology enables drought-proof agriculture
Under Section 54 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, Scottish Ministers must make annual reports to the Scottish Parliament assessing progress on Scotland’s...
What is Climate Change?
SDGs - analysis of the goals and targets
This is a follow-up to our 2015 report Sustainability Science in a Global Landscape based on selected indicators.
UNESCO have released this publication reviewing some of the most topical trends and issues for ESD. They describe it as: “The present volume addresses Education for...
Researcher Development Framework - a professional development framework for planning, promoting and supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers...
Living Labs examples
Université Lille 1 : SunRIse Smart City A project that aims at transforming the University into a place of research and experimentation of urban digital infrastructure...
This 30-minute masterclass from Edie will break down how organisations can effectively align their sustainability strategies with the UN’s Sustainable Development...
IAU - role of Higher Education in Fostering Sustainable Development in 2016
On the 28th November 2017 EAUC-Scotland hosted a webinar exploring the disposable cup challenge. This was held with contributions from Michael Lenaghan, Environmental Analyst at...
International Water Security Network
The Energy House
The Green Guide to Specification – An environmental profiling system for construction materials
Gemma Small
Laura Salisbury
Jessica Klaver
Emily Haggett
Thomas Fudge
Zainab Bibi
The session gave an in-depth overview into the impact that food choices have on our health, environment and communities and how institutions have the power to positively...
The Public Bodies Climate Change Duties came into play in 2016 with annual reports due each November. The universities and colleges of Scotland are supported by SSN and the...
A National Statistics Publication for Scottish Government. This publication aims to provide an easily accessible reference document that offers information on a wide range of...
This paper looks at the role of sustainable development within degree programmes dominated by the need to satisfy professional accreditation requirements, examining how far...
Carplus have published a case study of the Electric Car Club scheme installed into the University of St Andrews' campus. They have listed 19 tonnes of CO2 being saved...
Connecting with nature should be part of every child’s life as it has the potential to aid nature’s revival while benefiting the child. To embed nature connection...
With the kind support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the University of Essex we’ve established a clear definition of connection to nature and a method for...
Here we hear from two Professors from The University of Manchester and Manchester Business School on their views of this new, innovative approach to engaging students in...
We are excited to share our brand new research on the UK clothing industry with you. Valuing Our Clothes: the cost of UK fashion explores the environmental impact of the UK...
EAUC commissioned the research paper ‘Next Generation Sustainability Strategy and Structure’ to help members understand the current sustainability landscape in...
EAUC commissioned the research paper ‘Next Generation Sustainability Strategy and Structure’ to help members understand the current sustainability landscape in...
EAUC commissioned the research paper ‘Next Generation Sustainability Strategy and Structure’ to help members understand the current sustainability landscape in...
EAUC commissioned the research paper ‘Next Generation Sustainability Strategy and Structure’ to help members understand the current sustainability landscape in...
EAUC commissioned the research paper ‘Next Generation Sustainability Strategy and Structure’ to help members understand the current sustainability landscape in...
EAUC commissioned the research paper ‘Next Generation Sustainability Strategy and Structure’ to help members understand the current sustainability landscape in...
EAUC commissioned the research paper ‘Next Generation Sustainability Strategy and Structure’ to help members understand the current sustainability landscape in...
This workshop presentation is from the “Global Goals: Local Action” EAUC Annual Conference 2017, presented by Edward Naish, Assurance – PwC and fell under the Work...
This workshop presentation is from the “Global Goals: Local Action” EAUC Annual Conference 2017, presented by Katy Boom, Director of Sustainability - University of...
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are viewed in the context of Johan Rockström’s work on planetary boundaries at the Stockholm Resilience Centre. This work sets a...
UCL Press has announced the publication of an open access book by Robert Biel entitled : Sustainable Food Systems: The Role of the City. Download it free from...
Transition University of St Andrews is part of the UK-based Transition Network, and a long-lasting example of a Transition University. Launched in 2009 by a group of...
Case study on working through a climate impact assessment at University of St Andrews as part of a five step adaptation process.
In 2015, we partnered with Scouts, the Canal and Rivers Trust, and RSPB to ask young people about their perceptions on their involvement in local decisions, and how they can...
In 2016, NUS began work on a clothing rental scheme for students' unions - applying the principles of the circular economy. The process started by conducting research...
NUS are really proud to be able to publish our full report on Students’ Green Fund – demonstrating the incredible impact which our movement’s 25 transformational...
In 2012, NUS asked students about what they understood Fairtrade to mean, as well as how important it was to them, where they get their Fairtrade clothing from, and what they...
Homes Fit For Study revealed that over three quarters of students have a problem with the condition of their home, as well as other insights into the environmental performance...
When NUS launched our food growing programme Student Eats in 2015, we conducted some research among students to find out more about their eating habits and attitudes.