Public Engagement
Introduction
Engagement in community problem-solving is fundamental to sustainability. By engaging with community members and organizations in the governmental, non-profit and for-profit sectors, institutions can help solve sustainability challenges. Community engagement can help students develop leadership skills while deepening their understandings of practical, real-world problems and the process of creating solutions.
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Strengthening sustainability leadership competencies through university internships
- University of Calgary (AB)
- Beyond Chacay Foundation
- Asociacion Humboldt
This paper aims to determine whether high school students can become agents of change in their local communities by participating in a formal internship program implemented through a partnership between …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
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Sustainability and academic air travel in Australian universities
- RMIT University
Air travel is becoming increasingly recognized as a source of greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. This is particularly relevant for the university sector, which relies heavily on staff …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2018
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Toward zero waste events: Reducing contamination in waste streams with volunteer assistance
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Public festivals and events generate a tremendous amount of waste, especially when they involve food and drink. To reduce contamination across waste streams, we evaluated three types of interventions at …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2018
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Bill McKibben’s Influence on U.S. Climate Change Discourse: Shifting Field-Level Debates Through Radical Flank Effects
- Temple University (PA)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- 350.org (NY)
This article examines the influence of radical flank actors in shifting field-level debates by increasing the legitimacy of preexisting but peripheral issues. Using network text analysis, we apply this conceptual …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2018
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The challenge of coordinated civic climate change education
- Bard College (NY)
- Dickinson College (PA)
- James Madison University (VA)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- St. Mary's College of Maryland (MD)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University at Albany (NY)
- University of Richmond (VA)
Many sustainability educators want to more effectively engage their students with climate policy. They also seek to support students’ civic and change agent skills and dispositions to take on critical …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2018
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Why do people accept environmental policies? The prospects of higher education and changes in norms, beliefs and policy preferences
- University of Gothenburg
Pressing problems of environmental degradation are typically argued to require coordination, primarily through state intervention. Social scientists are struggling to understand how attitudes toward such state interventions are formed, and …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2018
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Sustainability Competition and Interactive Map
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
This project was developed to accomplish grant deliverables focusing on campus education surrounding sustainability initiatives and upgrades to Illinois electrical infrastructure. The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Office of …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2018
- Case Studies
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Transferring Sustainability Solutions across Contexts through City–University Partnerships
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Portland State University (OR)
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (DF)
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
The urgency of climate change and other sustainability challenges makes transferring and scaling solutions between cities a necessity. However, solutions are deeply contextual. To accelerate solution efforts, there is a …
- Posted Nov. 26, 2018
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Communicating a social agenda within HEIs: the role of the social enterprise mark
- University of Salford
- University of Huddersfield
By using the lens of the social enterprise mark (SEM) accreditation which enables social enterprises to “prove” that the interests of people and planet are put before shareholder gain, this …
- Posted Nov. 26, 2018
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Enhancing university students’ global citizenship, public mindedness, and moral quotient for promoting sense of environmental responsibility and pro-environmental behaviours
- Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University
- King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi
Many universities have attempted to courage their students to engage in sustainable, green behaviours. However, the mere role of environmental knowledge cannot contribute to students’ engagement in pro-environmental behaviours. This …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2018
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Bridging barriers to advance global sustainability
- Columbia University (NY)
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
- SEA Education Association (MA)
Academic enterprises seeking to support society’s efforts to achieve global sustainability need to change their legacy reward systems. We need new structures to foster knowledge that is deeply integrated across …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2018
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Setup a Food Hub as a Community Resilience Tool
- Black Hills State University (SD)
- AASHE (MA)
Black Hills State University (BHSU) and Spearfish community partners are seeking to create a culture that supports and values local food in order to expand the reach and depth of …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
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Prefiguring Sustainability through Participatory Action Research Experiences for Undergraduates: Reflections and Recommendations for Student Development
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Colorado State University (CO)
- University of Cincinnati (OH)
PAR-based UREs are undergraduate research experiences (UREs)—built into university-community partnerships—that apply principles of participatory action research (PAR) towards addressing community-defined challenges. In this paper, we advance PAR-based UREs as an …
- Posted Nov. 13, 2018
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Gameday Waste Minimization
- University of Arizona (AZ)
- University of Rochester (NY)
The University of Arizona will share the success story of their student-run program working to ingrain zero waste practices within athletic events. This workshop will describe the trials and tribulations …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Stadium Clean-up: Invest in & Engage Student Organizations, Promote Sustainability, Reduce Costs
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
The Diddle/Smith Recycling Program engages student organizations to clean the arena/stadium after football and basketball games, as well as other special events. In exchange for cleaning, volunteers receive a free …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Building an Open Source Food Recovery Website: Pairing University Dining Halls With Shelters
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
About one-third of food is wasted globally each year (Smith). Further, 30-40% of all food in the U.S. goes uneaten each year, resulting in 133 billion pounds of waste, worth …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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College & University Recycling Coalition (CURC) Membership Meeting
- University of South Carolina (SC)
Members and non-members alike are invited to join this annual CURC membership meeting. Board members will provide organizational updates, discuss current projects, and share opportunities to get involved. The meeting …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Zero-Waste Initiative: Composting at Events
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Public events tend to be extremely wasteful. When a county fair, culinary festival, fundraising campaign, or community garden potluck are organized, the overall aim is to create an enjoyable atmosphere. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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University Zero Waste Research Center Networking Session
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
The student-led Zero Waste Research Center at UC Berkeley works to create circular economies on the UC Berkeley campus by investigating innovative upstream and downstream solutions to campus waste problems. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Engaging College Students With Sustainability and Human Rights Through Bottles and Cans
- Colgate University (NY)
The subject of my presentation will be UCan, a not-for-profit recycling system I launched as a first-year student at Colgate University in the Fall of 2017. UCan is a recycling …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Off-Campus Student Housing Recycling Program
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
Over 68 percent of students at the University of Nebraska Lincoln live in off-campus student housing, and many are conforming to the trend of residing in luxury student apartments. In …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Sustaining the Borderlands: A Discussion on Food Waste in the Southwest
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Tucson, Arizona is situated 60 miles from the United States/Mexico International border. The nearest port of entry, Nogales, is one of the largest landlocked ports in North America. This port …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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The Case Study of Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) Programs at Eight US Universities
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
Many universities across the US address sustainability on campus and aim at reducing the environmental footprint. Universities' strategies to reduce the carbon footprint include promoting alternative modes of travel, such …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Transdisciplinary Undergraduate Research In Costa Rica: 5 Week Faculty Led Study Abroad Model
- Central College (IA)
This session explains the process and lessons learned as Central College (Pella, Iowa) faculty and staff developed undergraduate research opportunities within the model of a short-term faculty-led study abroad program …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Achieving Intertwined Sustainable Development Goals Through Coastal Resilience Research
- University of Virginia (VA)
Sustainable policy, design, and visualization strategies are essential as climate change and sea level rise threaten coastal cities. Higher education institutions in coastal regions have the opportunity to conduct meaningful …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Taking It to the Next Level: Campus-Community Partnerships
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- University of Florida (FL)
Engagement between campus and the local community is a strong priority for many institutions, often focused in service learning and volunteerism. But siloed approaches to service learning and volunteerism do …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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What, So What, Now What: The Development of the RCE Greater Atlanta Youth Network
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Kennesaw State University (GA)
This session will introduce participants to the United Nations University Youth Regional Center of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (YRCE) Presenters will explain the purpose and elements of a …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Localizing UN Sustainable Development Goals in Hawaii: The Community as our Living Laboratory
- Hawaii Pacific University (HI)
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
The 2018 State of Hawaii legislative session saw the introduction of bills to codify the UN SDG framework at the local level. Hawaii has a long history of sustainability, and …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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10,000 Makes Mini Sustainable Product Make-A-Thon
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
This workshop is the Design U 10 Thousand Makes Make-A-Thon but in a smaller workshop format. The 10,000 Makes Make-A-Thon is give them a pile of reused materials and a …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Lifting up the UN SDG's in Pennsylvania: The Power of the Penn State Sustainable Communities Network
- Penn State Brandywine (PA)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
The Sustainable Communities Collaborative Network at Penn State is an example of the power of working across campus boundaries to address sustainable development projects state-wide. Six campuses have worked collaboratively …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Measuring Student Attitudes Towards Sustainable Development With a One-Semester Sustainovation
- Penn State Brandywine (PA)
In Fall 2017, Penn State Brandywine kicked off an initiative titled Sustainovation, emphasizing programming and community collaborations through sustainability and innovation. The campus identified three community partners to work with …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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EAN Sustainability Index: How to Measure the Sustainability in an University Incubator?
- Universidad EAN
The implementation of sustainability at the EAN University is a process that takes more than eight years, however, being an institution whose focus is entrepreneurship, it is clearly necessary to …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Solar and Sheep Grazing - Is it for Ewe?
- Furman University (SC)
Does your institution have solar panels or are you thinking about installing them? Does your institution have sheep or know someone who does? If you answered 'yes' to either of …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Intersections of Food Waste, Hunger, and Spectrums of Homelessness, Abuse, and Addiction
- University of Utah (UT)
- Chartwells Higher Education (NY)
Homeless adults have disproportionate rates of chronic diet-related diseases, food security, rates of obesity, as well as co-morbidities such as diabetes. The outlook is even worse for children and youth. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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SDG2: Global Challenge, Local Solutions Powered by Penn State University Food Security Initiatives
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
With the mission of creating hunger-free and healthy communities through engaged scholarship, several Penn State campuses have joined forces to begin the efforts in their regions. They have partnered with …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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A University-Community Research Collaboration to Promote Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
Many counties of Western North Carolina have high levels of food insecurity that may be addressed by training communities to grow, prepare, and preserve their own food. Through the McCullough …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Blending Sustainability & Community Engagement in STEM: Models from 4 Diverse Universities
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Stony Brook University (NY)
- Virginia Tech (VA)
- Villanova University (PA)
From diverse institutional perspectives, this interactive session explores community engagement through course-based sustainability projects done in collaboration with community partners. We will outline important opportunities and challenges of this work …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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What Does a Tree Have to Do with Interior Design?
- University of Kentucky (KY)
On the McConnell Springs site of Lexington, Kentucky, there exists an historically significant tree - one of only a few old Bur Oaks that remain since the early days of …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Repairing our Foodshed
- Wells College (NY)
Wells College has acted to address gaps within its local foodshed. Responding to area 'food desert' conditions, the college initiated the Aurora Farmers Market to provide community residents access to …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Educating, Engaging and Empowering Sustainable Businesses Through a Smart Business Challenge
- Iowa State University (IA)
A vital facet in ensuring a sustainable community is sustainable awareness and commitment of its businesses. As part of the Town Gown Collaboration with the Iowa State University Office of …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Using the UN SDGs to frame community resilience assessment and planning for students and partners
- Allegheny College (PA)
After Allegheny signed Second Nature's Resilience Commitment (Climate Commitment signed in 2007), the sustainability coordinator cultivated collaborative partnerships in the community and explored ways to support existing work while developing …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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@IUSBees Raising Awareness to Rise to the Challenge
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
Student Summit Case Study: @IUSBees raising awareness to rise to the Challenge. How can higher education institutions align their teaching and research activities around the SDGs?Align them in the balance …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Role of Higher Education Institutions in Reducing Poverty by Promoting Sustainable Tourism
- Dallas College (TX)
All college and university campuses are imbedded in a local community. All communities have the potential to offer ecotourism opportunities to residents and visitors. Ecotourism/sustainable toursim is now defined as …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Connecting Communities to Data That Matter - Linkages Through SDGs
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
In recent years, a rising number of innovative firms and entrepreneurs have intentionally coalesced around university centers to bring invention plus implementation together. These universities known as anchor institutions typically …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Universities as Catalysts for Transformative Sustainable Change
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
- Emory University (GA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Portland Community College (OR)
- Spelman College (GA)
- University of Georgia (GA)
This session will explore how universities can serve as anchor institutions in their communities, advancing their own goals and regional sustainability at the same time, through education about and implementation …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Social Marketing/Behavior Change Practitioner Meetup
- University of Georgia (GA)
- Busch Systems International Inc. (ON)
Are you interested in using marketing as a behavior change agent? Me too! Let's get together for a focused discussion about goals, challenges, and successes in your behavior change programs. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Food Conscious Campus: Urban Innovations Towards Zero Hunger
- MacEwan University (AB)
Innovative technologies like Flow Hives, Tower Gardens, and Urban Cultivators engage the campus community with local food options and opportunities for food security downtown. Through a short documentary and discussion, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Weatherizing Together: Finding Effective Community Partnerships
- Furman University (SC)
Is your school planning on or already implementing a home weatherization program? Have you found community partners for your program? Furman University's home weatherization program, the Community Conservation Corps (CCC), …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Mapping our Participation in the United Nations Global Compact: Storytelling and Sustainability
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
As a participant of the U.N. Global Compact, the State University College of New York at Geneseo uses the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals as a framework to talk about our …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Community Impacts Through Energy-Efficient Housing Education
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
The Energy Efficient Housing Research Group (EEHR), an outreach arm of the Hamer Center for Community Design, is a conduit between high-performance housing research and housing stakeholders. EEHR connects multidisciplinary …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
EN 10: Community Partnerships
- Description of a formal community partnership to advance sustainability (first partnership)
- Description of a formal community partnership to advance sustainability (second partnership)
- Description of a formal community partnership to advance sustainability (third partnership)
- Website URL - Community partnerships to advance sustainability
EN 11: Inter-campus Collaboration
- The national or international sustainability network(s)
- The regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network(s)
- Description of sustainability conference(s) and presentation(s)
- Description of sustainability resource center or awards program and submission(s)
- Description of sustainability board or committee appointment(s)
- Description of sustainability-related mentoring relationship and activities
- Description of sustainability-related peer review activities
- Website URL - Sustainability-related inter-campus collaborations
EN 12: Continuing Education
- Percentage of continuing education courses that are sustainability course offerings
- Inventory of continuing education sustainability course offerings (upload)
- Inventory of continuing education sustainability course offerings (description)
- Description of sustainability-related continuing education certificate program(s)
- Website URL - Continuing education courses and programs in sustainability
EN 13: Community Service
- Percentage of students engaged in community service
- Number of annual community service hours contributed per student
- Description of program(s) to support employee volunteering
- Website URL- Community service programs
EN 14: Participation in Public Policy
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the municipal/local level
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the state/provincial/regional level
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the national level
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the international level
- Website URL - Sustainability advocacy efforts
EN 15: Trademark Licensing
- Description of the independent trademark monitoring and verification organization
- The labor rights code of conduct for licensees (upload)
- The labor rights code of conduct for licensees (description)
- Website URL - Trademark licensing initiatives
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.