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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The University at the Crossroads of Eco-Social Challenges: Pedagogy of Care and the Community of Life for a Transformative Learning
- Universidad de Granada
What kind of responsibility do universities have with regard to the current emergency created by ecological and socio-economic collapse? This work begins by considering the colonization of universities by neoliberal …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Can Higher Education Institutions’ Stakeholders Drive Regional Sustainable Development? Yes, They Can?!
- University of Beira Interior
Although Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) develop and announce actions related to sustainable development (SD), these actions and the results achieved are often not perceived by their stakeholders. This article aims …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Communicating Sustainability Through Social Media in the Italian Universities Context
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari
The research purpose is to analyze how social media can be adopted to communicate sustainability by universities. More precisely it is to investigate whether the online platforms are used to …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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University contributions to co-creating sustainable tourism destinations
- University of Queensland (QLD)
- University of Gothenburg
- Universita' di Macerata
A debate is emerging about the evolving functions and roles of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). New functions pivot on value-adding to the social, environmental and economic sustainability of communities – …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Investigating the environmental behavior of business and accounting university students
- National Technical University of Athens
- University of West Attica
The purpose of this study is to explore the underlying dimensions of environmental behavior (EB) and examine how environmental education (EE) and ecological sensitivity (ES) motivate the EB of Business …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Praxis-Poiesis: University–Community Relationship in an Epoch of Uncertainty and Disruption
- Brock University (ON)
This paper presents findings from a critical ethnographic study that spanned 3 years from 2018 to 2021 in a Canadian post-secondary context and engaged transdisciplinary quantum feminisms as a conceptual …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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A Positive Impact Rating for Business Schools: Case Study
- University of St. Gallen
- The Institute for Business Sustainability
- LUISS Guido Carli
Business school rankings have been criticized, to blindly “follow the money” with their strong focus on salaries and economic performance, thereby reflecting the values and expectations of the times the …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Sustainability behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge: comparing university students and the general public
- Michigan State University (MI)
Sustainability science integrates many academic fields, requiring a broad understanding of diverse scientific concepts. Additionally, its focus on real-world issues means that researchers must also understand sustainability behaviors and attitudes. …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Accelerating the implementation of SDG 4: stakeholder perceptions towards initiation of sustainable community engagement projects by higher education institutions
- University of Mpumalanga
This paper aims to present the results of an investigation on how a reciprocal relationship between the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) in South Africa and the surrounding communities can be …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Investigating critical community engaged pedagogies for transformative environmental justice education
- University of Utah (UT)
Effective environmental justice education poses unique challenges to both educators and students. For students, this pursuit is cognitively challenging at best and emotionally paralyzing at worst. It requires deconstruction of …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Protected areas and environmental conservation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: on HEIs, livelihoods and sustainable development
- University of Zululand
The paper aims to advocate for innovative approaches in terms of the involvement of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the conservation of the environment, which fully considers and includes the …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Revelations of service-learning project: Multiple perspectives of college students’ reflection
- Cheng Shiu University
This study explored the reflections of college students at different stages of their service provided to preschoolers and proposed recommendations on service-learning curricula according to the research findings. Thirty-six college …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Climate change concern among youth: Examining the role of civics and institutional trust across 22 countries
- Columbia University (NY)
Although scholars have long documented perceptions of climate change and the public’s evolving response to the perceived risk it poses, only more recently have these analyses begun to examine youth …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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The fierce urgency to create safe spaces for the heart in relation to sustainability
- Heart Sense Research Institute
The paper aims to rediscover the subtle heart and discuss its importance in relation to conversations regarding sustainability. Based on the imaginal approach of the author’s doctoral research, this paper …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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From the “Greta Thunberg Effect” to Green Conversion of Universities: The Reconstructive Praxis of Discursive Mobilizations
- Stockholm University
This paper investigates how one could envision a discursive mobilization process totransform protest movements into agents that help reconstruct the universities as agentssupporting material mobilizations leading to ecological reconstruction. After …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Growing action research on environmental learning in schools: a school-university partnership
- University of Toronto (ON)
A team of teacher-researchers in a large urban school board is working in partnership with researchers from a leading Canadian university to use action research to broaden and deepen environmental …
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue (ICAD): Community conversations for a sustainable and equitable future
- James Madison University (VA)
With a mission to “inspire dialogue and deliberation that shapes engaged and inclusive communities and informs sound policies,” the Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue (ICAD) at James Madison University …
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Case Studies
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A Discussion About Environmental Justice in Vermont
- University of Vermont (VT)
Project Green Schools was delighted to host A Discussion About Environmental Justice in Vermont in partnership with Vermont House Speaker, Conor Kennedy, Shelburne Farms, VT FEED, Hunger Free Vermont, VEEP, …
- Posted May 9, 2022
- Videos & Webinars
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Nebraska State Fair Sustainability Pavilion
- Central Community College (NE)
In partnership with the Nebraska State Fair, students are invited to develop sustainability projects and present them at the Sustainability Pavilion. 2021 student projects include a kayak made from mushroom …
- Posted May 5, 2022
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Pacific Northwest Just Futures Institute for Racial and Climate Justice
- University of Oregon (OR)
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Just Futures Institute is a transformational regional platform for racial and climate justice funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. We hold collaborations among the University …
- Posted May 4, 2022
- Case Studies
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CLIMATE CRISIS ANTHEM Music Video
- AASHE (MA)
The CLIMATE CRISIS ANTHEM is a visually and musically engaging 6:20 minute video that portrays the dire situation we all face in the current environmental breakdown.
Musical styles range from …
- Posted May 4, 2022
- Videos & Webinars
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JMU Geography Students Celebrate 10 Years of Gardening at Local Elementary School
- James Madison University (VA)
JMU Geography faculty and students celebrated Earth Day with students from an elementary school in Harrisonburg, Virginia as a continuation of 10 years of gardening together. Dr. Amy Goodall and …
- Posted May 2, 2022
- Photographs
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Montclair State University Hosts Bradford Elementary School for Earth Day 2022
- Montclair State University (NJ)
For Earth Day 2022, the Montclair State University Facilities team hosted 400 K-5 students from Montclair Township's Bradford Elementary School. The event was held outdoors in the campus Amphitheater and …
- Posted May 2, 2022
- Photographs
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Earth Day Student Sustainability Showcase
- Sierra Nevada College (NV)
This photo shares a scene from the Sierra Nevada University Earth Day celebration held on 4/20/22 on the Incline Village campus in Lake Tahoe, NV. The day started with a …
- Posted April 28, 2022
- Photographs
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Binghamton University Sustainability Hub Earth Day Event
- Binghamton University (NY)
The Binghamton University Sustainability Hub had an Earth Day event that included a student panel talking about the work they did to create the newly launched Equitable Sustainability Resource Guide. …
- Posted April 28, 2022
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Sustainability Hub table at the Binghamton University Earth Day Festival
- Binghamton University (NY)
The Sustainability Hub had a table at the campus main Earth Day Festival. The table featured an overview of what the Hub has to offer and swag including plantable notebooks …
- Posted April 28, 2022
- Photographs
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Earth Fest 2022
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
River Falls, WI Community Celebrates Sustainability Over 1,000 people gathered in Glen Park on Sunday, April 24th despite cold and windy conditions to experience Earth Fest 2022. The event featured …
- Posted April 28, 2022
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Plant it Forward
- University Mohammed VI Polytechnic
Planting Trees is one of the most effective ways to act towards climate change as it benefits our everyday lives efficiently. They filter clear air, help curb climate change, create …
- Posted April 25, 2022
- Photographs
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Top action tips for graduate students and researchers to act on SDGs
- George Mason University (VA)
- Illinois State University (IL)
Graduate students are preparing to enter an academic and career climate that is 21 percent of the way through a new century, part of a generation burdened with two tasks: …
- Posted April 21, 2022
- Outreach Materials
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GIS and Sustainability Engagement in Higher Education
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (MD)
Does the use of an interactive GIS web map significantly influence the level of sustainability stakeholder engagement at institutions of higher education? With over 1,000 institutions of higher education across …
- Posted March 18, 2022
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How to make low-carbon academia fly? Reducing academic air travel beyond COVID-19
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences
This article seeks to advance our understanding of the underlying reasons that sustain high levels of academic flying, and explores how a low carbon academia with less academic air travel …
- Posted March 10, 2022
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5 Year Report NC Collaboratory 2016-2021
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
In 2016 the NC General Assembly authorized the creation of the NC Policy Collaboratory headquartered at UNC Chapel Hill. In the five years since, the Collaboratory has funded more than …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2022
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Keynote Presentation with Daphne Frias, Zamzam Ibrahim and Chloe Maxmin
- University of Michigan (MI)
- AASHE (MA)
- Box The Ballot (NY)
- European Students' Union
This session will share inspiring examples of how young people are leading the way to a sustainable future on campus and beyond.
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Student Affairs Networking and Discussion
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Join members of the NASPA (Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education) Sustainability Knowledge Community team as we discuss how student affairs practitioners can infuse sustainability into their day-to-day roles. This …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Music as a Tool for Environmentalism and Change
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
Music is present in social movements - but is it an effective catalyst for change in environmental and sustainability-related spaces? Scientific evidence supports the reality that music affects people physically …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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From Waste to Fuel: An Interactive Introduction to Community-Based Biodiesel Production
- John Brown University (AR)
- Springboard Biodiesel (CA)
Making biodiesel from waste oils, locally, is a community-based act of collaboration and empowerment that has a significant positive impact on the environment and saves money on any institution's fuel …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Tree Week: Engaging Your Community and Celebrating Urban and Community Trees
- Urban Forest Initiative (KY)
Tree Week has become a staple for nature-lovers in Lexington, Kentucky, and the greater Bluegrass Region. Tree Week is a weeklong celebration that strives to offer a variety of tree-themed …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals Through Education Abroad
- University of New Haven (CT)
- The Forum on Education Abroad (RI)
Interested in making your education abroad programs and practices more sustainable, but unsure of where to start? The Forum on Education Abroad recently released new guidelines for Advancing the UN …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Solve Climate Worldwide Teach-in / 3.30.22 / Engage 1 Millon Students
- Bard College (NY)
Time to address climate change is short. With universities returning to in-person education, as educators at this moment, we have the responsibility to engage our entire campuses in urgent discussions …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Compost Cats Bucket Program: Bringing Composting into a Campus Community
- University of Arizona (AZ)
This proposed online session will discuss the Compost Cats' residential food scrap collection and composting program open to University of Arizona students, faculty, and staff, as well as Tucson community …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Faith-Based Institutions Connecting Mission, Values and Traditions for a Just, Sustainable Future
- University of Dayton (OH)
Religious organizations are a potentially strong ally for achieving global sustainability, since 85% of people globally identify with a religion, and the majority of the world's educational organizations have faith-based …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability (UMACS) Networking Session
- South Dakota State University (SD)
This is an opportunity to network with others from the Upper Midwest, including Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Learn about UMACS' mission and discuss campus efforts …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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An ‘EDJI’ Conversation: Believing in Equity, Diversity, Justice and Inclusion at Catawba College
- Catawba College (NC)
Join co-chairs, Dr. ChaMarra Saner and Dr. Mercedes Quesada-Embid, in conversation for a podcast-style session centered on successful strategies, unanticipated accomplishments, systemic challenges, surprising opportunities, and mobilizing moments related to …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Planetary Limits Academic Network: Transdisciplinary Scholars Addressing the Human Predicament
- University of Dayton (OH)
The Planetary Limits Academic Network (PLAN; planetarylimits.net) is a new transdisciplinary community for scholars who appreciate the interlocking nature of humanity’s current grand challenges in energy and resource depletion, climate, …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) Networking Session
- Rice University (TX)
- Texas A&M University (TX)
This is a networking meeting for Texans and other parties interested in the Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) to connect and discuss campus sustainability topics unique to the …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Libraries and Information Centers as Sustainability Partners, Energizers, and Leaders
- Binghamton University (NY)
While issues concerning the topics of sustainability and sustainable development in the library profession didn't first appear in the literature until in the early 1990s, libraries have been engaged in …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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AASHE International Networking Meeting 2021
- Portland Community College (OR)
- University of Texas at Arlington (TX)
Members of the international community and anyone interested in international issues or collaboration are invited to join in our annual networking meeting to share resources, explore challenges, and highlight ideas …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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How Fair Trade Campuses are Collaborating to Amplify Their Impact
- University at Albany (NY)
- University of California, Riverside (CA)
- Fair Trade Colleges & Universities
Fair Trade Campaigns is a powerful grassroots movement mobilizing thousands of conscious consumers and Fair Trade advocates on campuses and in communities across the U.S. Our Fair Trade Colleges & …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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University of Wisconsin-Madison Badger Tour
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
The UW-Madison Sustainability Interns take a tour of the campus, highlighting its sustainability features, the 10,000 years of indigenous history, and the iconic places and spaces that make the campus …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Keynote Presentation with Dina Gilio-Whitaker
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
Dina Gilio-Whitaker (Colville Confederated Tribes) is a lecturer of American Indian Studies at California State University San Marcos and an independent educator in American Indian environmental policy and other issues. …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- 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.