An Introduction to LiFE An overview of the Learning in Future Environments system

✦ LiFE is a performance improvement system developed specifically to help learning institutions manage, measure, improve and promote their social responsibility and sustainability performance. ✦ LiFE has three elements: ✦ Performance Improvement System which enables institutional self- assessment. ✦ Performance Accreditation Programme which allows institutions to submit to independent assessment, verification and accreditation of their progress ✦ LiFE Improvement Centre. A comprehensive resource containing best practice examples and improvement tools which is available to all LiFE participants. WHAT IS LiFE?

✦ Priority areas: ✦ Leadership and Governance ✦ Learning, Teaching and Research ✦ Partnership and Engagement ✦ Estates and Operations ✦ A series of development / progression frameworks in these areas. ✦ A series of metrics to measure quantitative elements of sustainability practice. ✦ Specific questions to ensure a comprehensive picture of institutional activity. WHAT IS LIFE? What is LiFE?

✦ Institutional journeys are non-linear ✦ They should be rewarded for action as well as process ✦ The Frameworks can provide guidance on what good practice might look like ✦ This is an ongoing process – Review cycles ✦ They can self assess as well as be externally assessed Conceptual Framework

WHAT DOES LIFE LOOK WHAT IS LIFE? What is LiFE? Policy and StrategyAction plansInclusive approachFocus on impact Commitments are in place to sustainability in this area of activity Action plans are in place (SMART) and commitments made Relevant stakeholders are involved in the activity. Institutions are looking at measuring the impact and benefit of the activity not just the activity itself CommunicationClear Responsibilities and Training Implementation Whole institution approach Activity is being communicated and there is clear support People are being trained and supported Embedded into the way things are done, systems and processes There is evidence of whole institution engagement in its implementation

Learning and Teaching Research Student Engagement Utilities (Energy, Water) Resource Efficiency and Waste ICT Construction and Renovation Biodiversity Travel Community Engagement Business Engagement Procurement and Supplier Engagement Leadership and Strategy Human Resources and Staff Engagement Leadership and Governance Partnership and Engagement Learning, Teaching and Research Estates and Operations

Objective: The principles of social responsibility and sustainable development are embedded in the curriculum POLICY AND STRATEGYACTION PLANNINGSTAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENTMEASUREMENT The university’s Learning and Teaching strategy(s) is explicitly aligned to the university’s Sustainability Strategy. Activity is reviewed on a regular basis. There are clear reporting lines into formal university management structures. The university understands where social responsibility and sustainability is currently being delivered across the curriculum and has developed plans to further embed and build on good practice. Key internal and external stakeholders (including staff, students and employers) are involved in the review this activity and shape its development. The impacts and benefits of embedding social responsibility and sustainability in the curriculum are routinely monitored and evaluated as part of existing university practice. There is evidence of continual improvement and feedback loops. COMMUNICATIONTRAINING AND SUPPORTIMPLEMENTATIONLINKS TO THE CURRICULUM The Learning and Teaching Strategy(s) is in the public domain. There is a planned approach to communicating to relevant stakeholders the Strategy(s), its associated activities and their implications. The agenda has clear, high-level support within the university. Commitments and/or targets to take forward ESD are linked to named individuals or teams within the university. Staff, including academics and programme leads, have either appropriate sustainability skills and knowledge or opportunities to develop them through access to specialist support. The commitment to social responsibility and sustainability within the curriculum and through learning and teaching is embedded in university systems and processes. The university is actively linking ESD with other campus activities and within the stakeholder communities that the university engages.

✦ Completing the on-line tool ✦ Provide evidence against each cell ✦ Quality not quantity (Limit on the evidence) ✦ Independent team to assess Accreditation

BENEFITS OF LIFE ✦ Continual Performance Improvement SystemStudent Recruitment & EngagementDeveloped for the Sector, by the SectorPromote Your Institution’s hard workPrepare for the FutureBecome a more responsible institution

WHO IS LIFE FOR? ✦ The short answer: EVERYONE!LiFE has engaged with all types of institutionsUnlike other initiatives, LiFE recognises that institutions are different with different focuses.

LIFE IN WALES ✦ Participation in LiFE will support Welsh colleges and universities in contributing to the aims and objectives of these specific Welsh legislative & policy drivers and sector directives.

WHO IS BEHIND LIFE? Delivered By: Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) Funding Partners: Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland (DELNI) Partners: Esd Consulting, Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability Incorporated Association (ACTS Inc) Supported By: University of Gloucestershire, Designate, Wildfire, Advisory Panels & External Advisors

THE INVESTMENT ✦ Priority to keep costs manageableSplit investment into two areas: ✦ LiFE Index System LiFE Accreditation Programme Number of UsersEAUC Member InstitutionNon-EAUC Member Institution 1-10£200/PCM£250/PCM 11-20£300/PCM£350/PCM 20+£400/PCM£450/PCM EAUC Member InstitutionNon-EAUC Member Institution £1200£1450 LiFE Index LiFE Accreditation Programme

NEXT STEPS ✦ What is next for you ✦ Learn More - We will be in touch after this presentation to help you get more information on LiFE. ✦ Participate - The first LiFE cycle begins on 1st November 2011 and invite your institution to participate in a groundbreaking new sector initiative. We value all engagement with the sector and would be delighted to have you involved. ✦ What is next for us ✦ Continue to align with Australia ✦ Recruit assessment team ✦ Implement governance structure ✦ Launch and continue to improve

QUESTIONS ?

DISCUSSIONS ✦ In teams of 3 or 4 discuss the following: ✦ Explore with each other what you already do in your institution and how this fits in with the LiFE system and may account as evidence Ask yourself, what is our institution doing well on in the Social Responsibility and Sustainability agenda? Also take this opportunity to identify areas of the LiFE index your institution can use to help you improve performance in challenging areas ✦ How well does your institution communicate its performance of this agenda and how LiFE can assist (repository for documents etc.)

EAUC UPDATE EAUC events – we have two really bespoke and interesting events coming up in the next few weeks: Sustainable Procurement 1 and 2 and Know your waste. Both are offered at the EAUC Member discounted price of only £160 and are the only events where these topics are tailored to the higher and further education sector. More information on these courses is available on the EAUC website and on the handout. Green Gown Awards- make sure you have booked your seat at the sector’s most prestigious awards ceremony on 3 November in London. With access to a wide network in attendance, this is a great opportunity for to mingle with key individuals from the sector. Individual tickets for EAUC Members are £100 plus VAT and tables are £950 plus VAT. Scotland Conference - bookings are open for the one day Conference on 1 November. With some fantastic international speakers and the theme of ‘engagement’ this is set to be one to remember. MAC - the first MAC meeting took place on 13 September in Birmingham. You can view the MAC Members who represent you on the EAUC website. The minutes of the first meeting will be available shortly so make sure you’re up to date. Sustainability Exchange - the tender for the website work has been awarded to Speckled Flock who designed the Knowledge Transfer Network at Oxford University (links uni eco research and business). Work will be progressing immediately with the testing taking place in November and the site launched in January On the horizon: In a few weeks time, we will be launching our Annual Members’ survey which all EAUC Members must complete to ensure we’re working effectively and efficiently for them. All respondents will be entered into a prize draw for some fantastic prizes. You’ll receive the survey by so please ensure you take the survey and encourage your colleague to as well.

GETTING IN TOUCH ✦ Web: ✦ Sarah Hayward (Project Manager)