Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University Curriculum Change for Sustainability BEECON 2006 Sarah Holdsworth Dr. Carolyn Hayles RMIT University, Australia

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University The Aims and Objectives of the BELP Project Aim To Introduce Sustainability Principles Into Existing Curricula. Objectives Understand the drivers and barriers for/to curriculum change; Action research projects aimed at applying organisational learning and cultural change processes for embedding sustainability into the curriculum of a university; To develop a flexible change framework; and General recommendations about the types of models and approaches that can influence organisational learning and change for sustainability.

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning School of Management School of Property Construction & Project Management BELP: Cultural Change Barriers Three major barriers to change summarised as a lack of: · A culture of value or priority given to sustainability; · Organisational and resource support for staff; and · Training for academic staff. Cowell, S.J., Hogson, S.B. and Clift, R. (1998). Teamwork for environmental excellence in a university context. Moxen, J. and Strachan, P. A. (1998). Managing Green Teams. Greenleaf Publishing, Broom Hall, pp

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University Project Structure 2 Academic Supervisors Ensured a wide level of engagement across the university School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning  Project Coordinator Developed the project methodology, worked closely with all of the project team, supported the academic champions and developed resources  2 Academic Champions representing participating Academic Schools within RMIT School of Property, Construction School of Management and Project Management

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University BELP: Cultural Change Approach Taken Change Management: Hinged on the appreciation of the context of each School, where the change process was to take place.  Sustainability was not defined by the project team, but was developed as a concept relevant to each profession/course/academic.

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University 1.Sustainability Course Audits 2.Action Learning Workshops 3.Action Learning through Research 4.Curriculum Design and Development BELP: Project Methodology  Stakeholder Engagement  Creating ownership through understanding and support.

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University What are some of the factors that have hindered incorporation of sustainability content into the courses? Lack of case studies Personal ignorance Time Crowded Curriculum Student Interest Resources (e.g. Funding) Nature of specialist content Identification of sustainability issues relevant to course subject matter. Terms are not clearly understood. BELP Methodology: Audit Results PCPM

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University How might the project team assist you to incorporate sustainability content into your courses? Case studies Role plays Video clips Co-teaching/joint supervision Literature reviews Access to guest speakers Better quality research BELP Methodology: Audit Results cont.

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University BELP Methodology: Workshops Workshop Structure: 1. Head of School Show commitment, support and encouragement for the project Explain the need for graduate sustainability capabilities within the School. 2. Internal Speaker Reinforce the need for sustainability capabilities within curriculum and the advantages for graduates and the School (in more detail) 3. External Speaker Discuss the current and future role of sustainability within the industry Discuss the need and advantage for graduate capabilities in sustainability Provide best practice/inspirational examples

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University BELP: Course Design and Implementation Content was structured so that all students at some point would understand some or all of the following: How their discipline area and professional practice functioned and affects the natural environment and its contribution to a sustainable economy; How their discipline area and professional practice builds social capacity; The basic values and core assumptions present in the content and methods of their academic discipline. (Adapted from Clugston, R. & Clader, W. 1999)

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University Scientific Complexity vs. Reductionism  Student understanding that human actions have complex environmental and normative consequences BELP: Course Design and Implementation

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University BELP: Course Design and Implementation Personalising the experience Problem-solving approaches: so that students understand the difference between current practice, resource efficient approaches and new systems thinking in their chosen professions. Case studies and guest lectures to demonstrate concepts and tools: teaching approaches to design and management decision-making as well as the tools and techniques for solving problems and finding solutions.

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University BELP: Course Design and Implementation Teaching Approaches Personalising the experience Move from traditional lecture style  hands on approach Incorporation of web-based educational tools eg. Ecological Footprint, Australian Greenhouse gas Calculator  Learning Experience Stimulated interest, controversial discussion, self reflection. Increased understanding and new/revised values and behaviours

School of Property Construction and Project Management First Year BUIL 1105 Construction Science (Existing) BUIL 1107 Design and Documentation (Existing) BUIL 1149 Property Economics (Existing) BUIL 1114 Residential Design and Measurement (Existing) Second Year OMGT 1124 Urban Economics (Existing) BUSM 3130 Risk Management (Existing) BUIL 1128 Building Services (Existing) Third Year BUIL 1216 Human Relations & Occupational Health & Safety (Existing) BUIL 1217 Research and Sustainability (New) Electives/Alternative Delivery BUIL 1161 Affordability and Sustainability Study Tour (New) BUIL 1135 Environmental Management/Sustainable Construction Off Shore (New)

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University Research and Sustainability Affordability and sustainability of housing Environmental Management PCPM New Courses

Curriculum Change for Sustainability, RMIT University “Building Capacity for a Sustainable Future” RMIT University Partners: Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment; Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage; Victorian Department of Education; The Honery Institute. Australian Research Council Linkage Grant