Publications

Introduction

AASHE’s publications library is the leading repository of reports, journal articles, books, and student research on sustainability in higher education. Certain publication types are entered in the annual AASHE Awards Program.

At a Glance

3942
Total Resources
1903
Organizations
99
Countries
58
U.S. States & Territories
12
Canadian Provinces

Bars in graphs can be clicked to view resources that align with a particular category. Because a resource may be listed under multiple topics and disciplines, graph data may include higher total counts than what is indicated in total resources above.

3942 resources

Higher Education in the World: Towards a Socially Responsible University: Balancing the Global with the Local

The 6th Higher Education in the World Report deals with the dual responsibilities of universities at local and global scale, exploring the potential conflict, or intrinsic difficulties, in addressing both ...

  • Posted March 14, 2017
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Large-Scale Renewables: The Next Chapter in Higher Education Sustainability Leadership

  • Second Nature (MA)
  • Coho Climate Advisors (MD)

Higher education is uniquely positioned to both expand and benefit from climate leadership. Many universities and colleges have substantially stepped up their commitments and efforts to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG ...

  • Posted March 14, 2017
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Renewable Energy 100: The Course to a Carbon-Free Campus

  • Allegheny College (PA)
  • University at Albany (NY)
  • Georgetown University (DC)
  • Butte College (CA)
  • Ball State University (IN)
  • University of Louisville (KY)
  • University of Delaware (DE)

America’s institutions of higher education can play a crucial role in the fight to prevent the worst impacts of global warming. Colleges and universities across the country should aggressively ...

  • Posted March 14, 2017
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Race & Ethnicity as a Barrier to Opportunity: A Blueprint for Higher Education Equity

Young Invincibles released its latest report, Race & Ethnicity as a Barrier to Opportunity: A Blueprint for Higher Education Equity. The report takes an in-depth look at the disproportionate challenges ...

  • Posted March 7, 2017
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High school experiences and climate change beliefs of first year college students in the United States

  • Purdue University (IN)
  • University of Virginia (VA)
  • Oklahoma State University (OK)
  • University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
  • Virginia Tech (VA)
  • Florida International University (FL)

Climate change has not been well understood by high school students in the US and the topic is often connected to misconceptions, which is especially damaging since accurate understandings of ...

  • Posted March 7, 2017
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Assessing the impact of a program designed to develop sustainability leadership amongst staff members in higher education institutes: a case study from a community of practice perspective

This study focuses on the impact of a sustainability leadership development program (SLDP) designed to develop staff members as leaders who encourage sustainability practices within institutions of higher education (IHE ...

  • Posted March 7, 2017
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Future Leaders Survey 2006/7

This report presents the results of a survey distributed to UK residents aged 21 and under who applied to universities and colleges in 2006. Key findings include:

  • 46% say that ...
  • Posted March 6, 2017
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Community Partnerships: A Key Component of Sustainability

  • University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
  • Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) (PA)

Partnerships between higher education institutions and their surrounding communities are a powerful tool for advancing sustainability and educating for sustainability. Colleges and universities, longtime leaders in sustainability, are increasingly realizing ...

  • Posted March 3, 2017
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Assessing Supply Chain Emissions in Higher Education: Who, Why and How

  • Portland Community College (OR)
  • Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) (PA)

The intent of this paper is to provide public and private sector professionals with a guidebook as to how to track and report on their supply chain-specific greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Posted March 3, 2017
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What are We Advancing? Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education: Integration of the University and College Development Office

  • California Polytechnic State University (CA)
  • Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) (PA)

This paper examines the shifting role of the university and college advancement office in a national trend toward advancing sustainability in higher education and presents a range of ideas in ...

  • Posted March 3, 2017
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Impact of a participatory analysis of a campus sustainability social network: A case study of Emory University

  • Emory University (GA)

Social network analysis makes visible the invisible connections and flows that underlie complex social relationships. Applied organizational researchers have used social network analysis to assess and improve organizational and leadership ...

  • Posted March 2, 2017
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A Behavioral Approach to the Development of a Campus-Wide Recycling System

  • Western Michigan University (MI)

This article describes efforts to establish a more effective campus-wide recycling system at Western Michigan University. A study was designed as a continuation of an established line of behavioral recycling ...

  • Posted March 1, 2017
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Sustainability as competitive advantage in higher education in the UK

  • University of Leeds (West Yorkshire)

This paper draws on a series of five ESRC-funded seminars held between 2006 and 2008 on 'Sustainability as competitive advantage in higher education in the UK'. We sketch the background ...

  • Posted March 1, 2017
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Plans and Living Practices for the Green Campus of Portland State University

  • Portland State University (OR)

This study aims to comprehend Portland State University (PSU)’s green campus strategies, and students’ level of knowledge and living practices relating to green campus. PSU’s sustainable campus plan ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2017
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Good Practices on Campus Sustainability in Japan 2016

  • Hokkaido University (Hokkaido)
  • Chiba University
  • Kyoto University
  • Fukushima College

Released by the Campus Sustainability Network in Japan (CAS-Net Japan), the booklet was created to share campus experiences in conducting environmental activities and efforts to find solutions to environmental problems ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2017
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A fragility approach to campus sustainability – methodological explorations

Aim: Often, the approach towards entering a path of sustainable development is that intervention needs to take place. This may lead to unwanted side effects. This paper presents the basis ...

  • Posted Feb. 20, 2017
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Towards a Real-world Laboratory: A Transdisciplinary Case Study from Lüneburg

  • Leuphana University of Lüneburg

Real-world laboratories have gained currency in transdisciplinary sustainability research. Establishing real-world laboratories by means of a transdisciplinary process offers promising prospects since it fosters trust among the participants and leads ...

  • Posted Feb. 20, 2017
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Using an Outdoor Learning Space to Teach Sustainability and Material Processes in HE Product Design

This ‘case study’ of two jewellery workshops used outdoor learning spaces to explore both its impact on learning outcomes and to introduce some key principles of sustainable working methodologies and ...

  • Posted Feb. 20, 2017
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Making Sustainable Development Real Through Role-Play: “The Mekong Game” Example

  • Georgetown University (DC)
  • Virginia Tech (VA)

This paper describes a role-playing, negotiation “game” based on the Xayaburi Dam in Laos. We have used this activity in our graduate programs as a tool for bringing to life ...

  • Posted Feb. 20, 2017
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Encouraging Revolving Door Usage in a Mixed-Use Building: The Influence of Visual Prompts and Descriptive Social Norms

  • Lesley University (MA)

This field experiment investigated effects of a descriptive norms-based sign combined with five footprint sticker decal prompts directing individuals to help save energy by using a revolving door, as opposed ...

  • Posted Feb. 20, 2017
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Case Studies in Sustainable Social Work: MSW Students Explore Principles in Practice

  • Portland State University (OR)
  • University of Portland (OR)

In 1999, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in the United States published a policy statement on the environment that acknowledged the social work profession’s apparent “lack of ...

  • Posted Feb. 20, 2017
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Immerse in Your Watershed: Problem-Based, Service Learning for Undergraduate Sustainability Education

  • Maharishi University of Management (IA)

This case study describes a problem-based and service learning module in which undergraduate students participated in a community-based project. Students joined a group consisting of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public ...

  • Posted Feb. 20, 2017
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Energy and development: the role of academia in education, research, and technological cooperation for sustainability

Over the last decades, the interest of the international community for the multiple interconnections among energy, environment, and society has widely increased. Today, the close link between energy and development ...

  • Posted Feb. 17, 2017
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Universities’ intermediary role in the “design for sustainability” field: Case studies from the Netherlands and Turkey

  • Technische Universiteit Delft

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate the intermediary role of universities in spreading design for sustainability into industry.

Design/methodology/approach - Three case studies were undertaken on Delft University of ...

  • Posted Feb. 17, 2017
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Integration of sustainability in engineering education: Why is PBL an answer?

Purpose - Education for sustainable development (ESD) is one of the challenges engineering education currently faces. Engineering education needs to revise and change its curriculum to integrate ESD principles and knowledge ...

  • Posted Feb. 17, 2017
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Environmental literacy of business students in Ghana

Purpose - This study examines the multidimensionality of the environmental literacy concept among university business students in Ghana. The study also investigates the relationship between students’ interests in environmental issues and ...

  • Posted Feb. 17, 2017
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Does Eco-labeling of Services Matter? Evidence from Higher Education

  • Marquette University (WI)
  • University of Idaho (ID)

Eco-labeling of services has become increasingly common, yet little empirical evidence exists concerning its effectiveness. We address this gap in the literature by analyzing a highly visible eco-label, the American ...

  • Posted Feb. 17, 2017
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Ethics in Higher Education: Values-driven Leaders for the Future

The values and virtues practised in universities heavily influence the leaders of the future, but outside the limelight of excelling education institutions there is a concerning violation of good practises ...

  • Posted Feb. 14, 2017
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Mapping a Pathway to Low-Carbon Campuses

  • Rocky Mountain Institute (CO)

Over the last few years, RMI has partnered with universities to develop aggressive carbon-reduction/neutrality plans and to share best practices associated with energy efficiency and renewable energy across organizations ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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The State of Sustainability in Higher Education 2016: The Life Cycle of Higher Education Facilities

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)
  • Gordian (SC)

Over the past two decades, colleges and universities have embraced numerous programs to minimize their environmental impact.

What were the “wins” for sustainability in higher education in 2016?

The annual ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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The use of educational game design and play in higher education to influence sustainable behaviour

  • Cardiff University

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss a novel life cycle approach to education for sustainable development (ESD) where the students become “design thinkers”.

Design/methodology/approach - A ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Empowerment for sustainability in higher education through the EYE learning tool

  • Wageningen University

Purpose - While empowerment for sustainability is considered a major objective within sustainability-oriented educational programs and policies, little is known about the actual process of empowering students for sustainability through higher ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Accounting for sustainability: an active learning assignment

Purpose - Sustainability is one of the newer topics in the accounting courses taught in university teaching programs. The active learning assignment as described in this paper was developed for use ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Using module-based learning methods to introduce sustainable manufacturing in engineering curriculum

  • Auburn University (AL)
  • Syracuse University (NY)
  • Texas A&M University (TX)
  • University of Texas at Austin (TX)
  • Wayne State University (MI)

Purpose - Sustainable manufacturing may be defined as the creation of manufactured products that use processes that are non-polluting, conserve energy and natural resources, and are economically sound and safe for ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Defining sustainable universities following public opinion formation process

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to define the sustainable university in Turkey, by considering perspectives of various stakeholders such as experts, intellectual, public, political parties and media using ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Higher education for sustainable development at EARTH University

  • Universidad Iberoamericana, A.C. (DF)
  • EARTH University

Purpose - The purpose of this article is to present the experience of a Central American university that has been successfully advancing an educational model focused on sustainability for over 25 ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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What should every citizen know about ecology?

  • Radford University (VA)
  • Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick Campus (NJ)
  • St. Petersburg College (FL)

The level of ecological literacy among the general population in the US and other countries is not known, although there is widespread concern that it is too low to enable ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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The Use of LEED® Building Standards In the College and University Marketplace

  • Leonardo Academy (WI)

Leonardo Academy released a survey report about the use of the LEED® green building rating system among colleges and universities in the United States.

The data gathered from survey responses ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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What do people know about key environmental issues? A review of environmental knowledge surveys

  • St. Catherine University (MN)

This paper presents results from 15 little publicized state and national environmental surveys in the US that used similar questions. Our analysis reveals trends in adult understanding of environmental issues ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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European university-community partnership-based research on urban sustainability and resilience

  • University of East London
  • University College Dublin, National University of Ireland

The Transitioning Towards Urban Resilience and Sustainability (TURAS) project is based on the partnership between decision makers in local authorities with SMEs and academic institutions to develop and demonstrate transition ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Education for sustainability using a campus eco-garden as a learning environment

Purpose - This paper aims to explore stakeholder perspectives of the role of a campus eco-garden in education for sustainability (EfS). It will combine the perspectives to highlight a powerful learning ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Greening academia: Developing sustainable waste management at Higher Education Institutions

  • University of Southampton

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are often the size of small municipalities. Worldwide, the higher education (HE) sector has expanded phenomenally; for example, since the 1960s, the United Kingdom (UK) HE ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Global consciousness and pillars of sustainable development: A study on self-perceptions of the first-year university students

Purpose - This paper aims to provide data on the self-perceived state of sustainability consciousness of first-year Hong Kong students.

Design/methodology/approach - Within a mixed-method research design framework, the authors ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Greening of a campus through waste management initiatives: Experience from a higher education institution in Thailand

Purpose - This paper aims to describe the effects of 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) waste management initiatives on a campus community. It ascertains the environmental attitudes and opinions of the ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Towards an engaged campus: Measuring and comparing definitive stakeholders’ perceptions of university social engagement in South Korea

Purpose - This paper aims to measure and rigorously compare the perceptions of South Korean university social engagement between faculty and students, two definitive stakeholders identified by stakeholder theory – but considerably ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Wheels of change in higher education: A collaborative, multi-stakeholder project as a vehicle for sustainability education

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to profile the development of a bicycle parking hub at the University of Tasmania to illustrate how the Academic Operations Sustainability Integration Program ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2017
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Beneath Our Eyes: An Exploration of the Relationship between Technology Enhanced Learning and Socio-Ecological Sustainability in Art and Design Higher Education

This article uses published research to explore how Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) can help to sustain learning communities to engage in creative exploration and open investigation. It then draws on ...


Is Higher Education Economically Unsustainable? An Exploration of Factors that Undermine Sustainability Assessments of Higher Education

  • Eastern Michigan University (MI)
  • Technische Universiteit Delft

As students continue to review the sustainability of higher education institutions, there is a growing need to understand the economic returns of degrees as a function of a sustainable institution ...


Language Education for Sustainable Development

Nowadays, education for sustainable development starts covering wider and wider spheres of interest and human activity. Out of the three main spheres of interest, such as environmental, economic, and socio-cultural ...


Using Photovoice to Explore Environmental Sustainability Across Languages and Cultures

  • Bellarmine University (KY)
  • Centre College (KY)
  • University of Kentucky (KY)

Though work in the area of photovoice (in which students take photos to structure a dialogue that can serve to advance social action as the community responds to the participants ...