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Leeds University Network for Sustainability in HE (LUNSHE) launched

Category
Sustainable Curriculum
Date
A group of people sat in a lecture theatre

The Leeds University Network for Sustainability in HE (LUNSHE) is a new interdisciplinary network that brings together those interested in Sustainability in the Curriculum. Initiated as part of Leeds Sustainable Curriculum programme, a principle within the University’s University Climate Plan.  

This LUNSHE network is for staff in all discipline areas from those just thinking of getting started with embedding sustainability in their teaching to people predominantly teaching sustainability topics, as well as staff in professional services and those interested in undertaking educational research or scholarship.  

Pierre-Philippe Dechant, Lecturer in Applied Mathematics and Sustainable Curriculum Project Team member who helped found the network has said: 

We were so excited to have such a diverse group attend our inaugural network meeting in May, from right across the University: from nearly every academic and professional department, every career stage, and level of experience with sustainability. The network shared really rich ideas around where it can go in future - it was everything we could have hoped for! 

LUNSHE Launch

The first session was held in May and started with a community of over thirty staff coming together, online and in person, to hear more about the Sustainable Curriculum programme and start to discuss challenges and opportunities regarding teaching sustainability topics and about the UN Sustainable Development goals. The group also shared topics they would like to explore in future meetings. 

The group has been established to inspire greater connectivity around Education for Sustainable Development, be a spark for new interdisciplinary collaborations and provide inspiration for exploring sustainability within the curriculum. It aims to be a supportive network where everyone can share ideas and expertise - and enjoy some chat and cake over lunchtime. 

Jonas Cromwell, Lecturer in Food Security, Sustainable Curriculum Project Team member and another organiser of the network said: 

I found LUNSHE to be a great platform to bring together so many people from different backgrounds across the University Community to share ideas and learn about sustainability. I look forward to networking and growing my knowledge in climate change and sustainability and embedding sustainability in my student education and experience.

A group of people having a discussion in a lecture theatre.

Sustainability skills session

The second LUNSHE session was held in June with Sarah Wenham providing a summary of the new Leeds Skills Matrix and ways to encourage students to recognise the skills value of their degrees, and Clare Jackson outlining the sustainability skills within this as one of the core skills domains.

It can be difficult for students to recognise where sustainability skills surface within their programmes, co-curricular and extra curricular activities. Juliet Xavier and Kana Terashima, two students from MSc Organizational Psychology shared their findings from a recent review of opportunities that support sustainability skill development. This was set as a project brief, with recommendations made for how the University could raise awareness and extend these opportunities. A good discussion followed on what else the university could be doing to understand the sustainability skills needs of our students and their future employers.

Get involved

If you are interested in getting involved in this network, our final LUNSHE for this academic year will take place on Wednesday 12 July, 1-2pm, in the School of Music (Lecture Theatre 3). Register your place using the sign up form. The sessions will then resume on a monthly basis from September 2023.

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

We use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to guide our activity. Our work on Student Citizenship links to all of the SDGs.

Find out more about our impact on the SDGs.