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

3958
Total Resources
1908
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.

3958 resources

Do European quality assurance frameworks support integration of transformative learning for sustainable development in higher education?

  • University of Bern
  • Universitat de Girona (Girona)
  • Kaunas University of Technology (Kaunas sav.)
  • Universiteit Hasselt

A transition toward sustainable development requires engagement of university students in transformative learning. Therefore, quality frameworks and processes should support deep approaches to sustainable development in higher education. Research and …


An Exploration of the Relationship between Sustainability-Related Involvement and Learning in Higher Education

  • Tufts University (MA)
  • University of Michigan (MI)

Higher education institutions are charged with developing civically engaged leaders to address the pressing issues facing the country and the world. While existing literature suggests institutional practices, such as promoting …


The Potential for Electricity-use Reduction in Grinnell College Residence Halls through Behavioral Manipulation

  • Grinnell College (IA)

I studied the potential for electricity-use reduction through behavioral change in on-campus residence halls. I used social comparisons to induce behavioral change in the residents. The results did not show …


Students’ knowledge and expectations about sustainable food systems in higher education

  • University of Kassel
  • Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
  • University of Copenhagen
  • Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego (Warsaw)
  • ISARA Agro School for Life
  • Eesti Maaülikool, EMÜ
  • FH Münster
  • University of Gastronomic Sciences (Piedmont)

To clarify needs and requests of the young generation to the contemporary and future education on food systems, this paper aims to examine the following issues: students’ background knowledge, students’ …


Handling climate change education at universities: an overview

  • UNSW Sydney (NSW)
  • University of Malta (Northern Harbor District)
  • KTH Royal Institute of Technology
  • Nottingham Trent University
  • University of Campinas
  • University of Passo Fundo
  • Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • University of Belgrade
  • University of Latvia
  • University of the Sunshine Coast
  • Indian Institute of Management (Jharkhand)
  • Hiroshima University
  • University of Colombo
  • University of Fort Hare
  • Universidade Fernando Pessoa
  • University of Education, Winneba
  • Kwara State University
  • Romanian Academy
  • Universidad Católica del Norte

This paper reports on a study which aimed at identifying the extent to which matters related to climate change are addressed within the teaching and research practices at universities, with …


COVID-19: the impact of a global crisis on sustainable development teaching

  • College of Charleston (SC)
  • University of Malta (Northern Harbor District)
  • Bournemouth University (Dorset)
  • Universidade Aberta
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
  • University of Passo Fundo
  • University of Aveiro
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Universidade federal de Santa Maria
  • Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
  • University of Chester
  • North-West University (North West)
  • University of Milano-Bicocca
  • Universidade Federal da Paraíba

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global crisis, one which also influences the ways sustainability is being taught at universities. This paper undertakes an analysis of the extent to which …


Adopting sustainability competence-based education in academic disciplines: Insights from 13 higher education institutions

  • Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (Madrid)
  • Griffith University (Queensland)
  • University of Helsinki
  • Universidade Aberta
  • Gävle University College
  • University of Zaragoza
  • University of Belgrade
  • Warsaw University of Technology
  • University of A Coruña (a Coruña)
  • Central University of Technology
  • Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales
  • European University of Lefke
  • University of Nyíregyháza
  • Universidad de las Américas Puebla
  • Università degli Studi di Parma

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have been incorporating sustainability into education and curricula, where recent research has focussed on sustainability competences, pedagogical approaches, and how to connect them, generally on a …


The Planetary Wellbeing Initiative: Pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education

  • University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
  • UNESCO
  • Pompeu Fabra University
  • University of Essex
  • Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA)
  • Barcelona Graduate School of Economics
  • École d'économie de Paris
  • Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals

We live in a time of pressing planetary challenges, many of which threaten catastrophic change to the natural environment and require massive and novel coordinated scientific and societal efforts on …


Training wicked scientists for a world of wicked problems

  • Dickinson College (PA)
  • The Ohio State University (OH)

Humanity faces a number of wicked problems, from global climate change and the coronavirus pandemic to systemic racism and widening economic inequality. Since such complex and dynamic problems are plagued …


A framework for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in university programmes

  • University of Malta (Northern Harbor District)
  • University of Coimbra
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
  • University of Passo Fundo
  • University of Aveiro
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Universidade federal de Santa Maria
  • University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz
  • University of Belgrade
  • University of Milano-Bicocca
  • University of Wroclaw/Uniwersytet Wrocławski (Wrocław)
  • Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador
  • Universidade Positivo

There is a perceived need to develop approaches, methods and tools that may help higher education institutions to systematically introduce the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into research and teaching as …


Research on low-carbon campus based on ecological footprint evaluation and machine learning: A case study in China

  • Harvard University (MA)
  • University of Perugia
  • Northumbria University (Newcastle Upon Tyne)
  • Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Universities, the important locations for scientific research and education, have the responsibility to lead ecological civilization and low carbon transition. Ecological footprint evaluation (EFE) is usually used to measure sustainability …


Sustainability practices at higher education institutions in Asia

  • University of Waterloo (ON)
  • Universiti Putra Malaysia
  • Universiti Sains Malaysia
  • Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Santa Catarina)
  • University of Passo Fundo
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) (Perak Darul Ridzuan)
  • Beaconhouse National University
  • Hiroshima University
  • Universidade Fernando Pessoa
  • Khulna University of Engineering & Technology
  • Universiti Utara Malaysia

It is still unclear how Asian universities incorporate the theory or practice of sustainable development (SD) in their research and education programmes. To address this gap, the purpose of this …


Walking the Walk: Democratizing Change in Teacher Education

  • University of Tasmania (TAS)

In this essay, as a group of teacher educators, we discuss our experience of “walking the walk” of teacher education transformation at a time of urgent change. We reflect upon …


Introducing the Nitrogen Footprint in SIMAP: A Review of Improvements in Nitrogen Footprint Methodology for Institutions

  • Brown University (RI)
  • Colorado State University (CO)
  • Eastern Mennonite University (VA)
  • University of California, Davis (CA)
  • University of New Hampshire (NH)
  • University of Virginia (VA)
  • Marine Biological Laboratory (MA)

Nitrogen (N) footprint assessments have served as tools for sustainability, research, and education at institutions of higher learning by connecting institutional activities and resource consumption with environmental impacts through the …


Greening of the syllabus in faculties of education sciences through sustainable development goals: the case of public Andalusian universities (Spain)

  • University of Cadiz
  • Universidad de Granada
  • Universidad de Sevilla
  • University of Malaga (Malaga)
  • Universidad Complutense de Madrid

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the presence of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) proposed by the UN (2015) in university degrees within the fields of education, humanities …


Mapping sustainability initiatives in higher education institutions in Latin America

  • Universidad de Sonora (Sonora)
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
  • University of Passo Fundo
  • Universidade federal de Santa Maria
  • Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná
  • Universidad EAFIT (Antioquia)
  • Universidade Federal da Paraíba
  • Universidad Galileo

Many higher education institutions (HEIs) around the world are involved in a variety of sustainability initiatives. These are acknowledged to be important elements in fostering the cause of sustainability in …


Ecologized Collaborative Online International Learning: Tackling Wicked Sustainability Problems Through Education for Sustainable Development

  • Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg
  • Robert Gordon University
  • Keele University
  • Università degli Studi di Torino
  • Coventry University

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is increasingly embedded in higher education(HE) due to the current emphasis on tackling the environmental crisis. Similarly, CivicSociety Organisations are expanding their mobilization and practical …


Assessment of the Ecological Footprint of Eskisehir Technical University–Iki Eylul Campus

  • Eskişehir Technical University
  • Kastamonu Universitesi

Sustainable development is a concept that has started gaining importance in recent years. It helps reduce the environmental impacts of cities with dense human populations. On a smaller scale, social …


The six dimensions of collective leadership that advance sustainability objectives: rethinking what it means to be an academic leader

  • Colorado State University (CO)
  • Iowa State University (IA)
  • Northeastern University (MA)
  • Northern Arizona University (AZ)
  • Salisbury University (MD)
  • Stanford University (CA)
  • University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
  • McGill University (QC)
  • University of British Columbia Okanagan (BC)
  • National Geographic Society (DC)
  • TREE Foundation (FL)

Solutions to our most pressing environmental problems demand the development and application of leadership skills that are not typically fostered in traditional academic programs: skills that advance new transdisciplinary approaches …


Nursing students' attitudes towards climate change and sustainability: A cross-sectional multisite study

  • University of Plymouth (Devon)
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • University of Brighton
  • University of Jaén
  • Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart/University of Applied Sciences (HFT) (Stuttgart)
  • Dalarna University
  • Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia

This study aimed to: i) investigate nursing students' attitudes towards and awareness of climate change and sustainability issues and its inclusion in nurse education, ii) explore differences across a range …


Which are the best practices for MSc programmes in sustainable agriculture?

  • Universidade do Porto
  • Universidade de Évora
  • Agricultural University of Athens
  • Università degli Studi della Basilicata

Programmes of education for sustainable development are important to reformulate and revise educational programmes in Sustainable Agriculture. Higher education institutes emerge as learning places to integrate sustainable development into the …


Potential for urban agriculture to support accessible and impactful undergraduate biology education

  • Rollins College (FL)
  • Salish Kootenai College (MT)
  • Tulane University (LA)
  • University of St. Thomas (MN)
  • University of San Diego (CA)

Active learning in STEM education is essential for engaging the diverse pool of scholars needed to address pressing environmental and social challenges. However, active learning formats are difficult to scale …


Green Campus Initiatives as sustainable development dissemination at higher education institutions: Students’ perceptions

  • Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Santa Catarina)
  • Université de l'État de Santa Catarina
  • Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul
  • Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina
  • University of Vale do Itajaí
  • Unoesc Joaçaba

Students are future leaders who will be expected to make decisions aimed at achieving sustainability as they take up key roles in education in the area of sustainable development. In …


Preparing engineering students for the challenges of the SDGs: what competences are required?

  • Technological University Dublin (Dublin)
  • Aalborg Universitet
  • Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
  • ENSTA Bretagne

Despite the emerging discussions about the growing role of engineers in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there is a lack of agreement on which competences should be prioritised to …


Sustainability as an Emerging Paradigm in Universities

  • University of Valladolid
  • Fundación Universitaria Konrad Lorenz
  • Universitat Carlemany
  • Fundación Universitaria Los Libertadores
  • Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado
  • Universidad Nacional Experimental Politécnica Antonio José de Sucre

This article aims to review the perspective of sustainability adoption in universities through two dimensions: firstly, from the educational and research process, and second, from their global positioning in terms …


Trends in scientific publishing on sustainability in higher education

  • University of Malta (Northern Harbor District)
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
  • University of Passo Fundo
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz
  • University of Chester
  • Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná
  • Universidade Positivo

It is widely acknowledged that research and publications in peer reviewed journals offer important metrics in describing the academic outputs of higher education institutions on one hand, and their societal …


Supporting the role of universities in leading individual and societal transformation through education for sustainable development

  • University of Bristol
  • Quality Assurance Agency For Higher Education (--None--)
  • University of St Andrews (Scotland)
  • University of the West of England, Bristol
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Cardiff Metropolitan University
  • Advance HE

There is growing recognition of the value of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for all learners, and of the unique role that universities play in the transformation of individuals, institutions …


Teaching and learning for change: analysis of a post-graduate One Health program

  • Universite Libre de Bruxelles (Brussels Region)
  • Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo de Maradi
  • Université de Namur
  • Université de Liège
  • Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire
  • Université de Montpellier

As problematized through the One Health concept, global health issues are defeating conventional disciplinary approaches since they unfold across various scientific domains and across all levels of society. Calling for …


Differentiated Impact of Politics- and Science-Oriented Education on Pro-Environmental Behavior: A Case Study of Chinese University Students

  • China University of Geosciences

The purpose of this study is to understand the differentiated impact of politics- and science-oriented education on pro-environmental behavior among university students. A questionnaire was designed and sent to more …


Towards Carbon Neutrality in Higher Education Institutions: Case of Two Private Universities in Colombia

  • Universidad EAN
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana

This paper addresses the path followed by two private higher education institutions (HEI) in Colombia towards achieving carbon neutrality. The methodology followed by these universities to achieve a carbon-neutral certification, …


Measuring professional action competence in education for sustainable development (PACesd)

  • KU Leuven
  • University of Antwerp

Based on the concept of action competence, the current study introduces an integrated framework of Professional Action Competence in Education for Sustainable Development (PACesd) described by three defining features: willingness, …


Transforming science and society? Methodological lessons from and for transformation research

  • Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • Ecologic Institute
  • Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER)

Transformation research has in the past years emerged as a shared lens to study and support radical societal change towards sustainability. Given the nascent and exploratory—yet highly normative and ambitious—character …


Reflections on developing a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach to embedding education for sustainable development into higher education curricula

  • University of Strathclyde
  • Robert Gordon University

As higher education institutions (HEIs) have increasingly turned to consider sustainability over the last decade, education for sustainable development (ESD) has emerged as a way of imbuing students with the …


The Perceived Importance and Intended Purchasing Patterns of Sustainable Foods in Australian University Students

  • Western Sydney University (NSW)
  • University of Tasmania (TAS)

Although there has been considerable research on consumers’ opinions about sustainable foods and purchasing behaviors, the experience of university students remains unclear. This study aims to characterize university students’ perceptions …


Measuring the Transformation of University Students’ Self-Construal for Greater Environmental Sustainability

  • Arizona State University (AZ)
  • Kyoto University
  • National Taiwan University

University campus sustainability projects frequently aim to promote ecological behavior of their community members. However, these projects rarely consider the level of students’ self-construal, the view of self held by …


Pandemic shift: Meeting the challenges of moving post-secondary environmental education online

  • Florida Atlantic University (FL)
  • Pennsylvania State University (PA)
  • University of Montevallo (AL)
  • University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)

As the COVID-19 pandemic surged and resurged across the world, members of a higher education professional group associated with the North American Association of Environmental Education met regularly online to …


Towards a European framework for community engagement in higher education – a case study analysis of European universities

  • University of Twente
  • Ghent University
  • Technological University Dublin (Dublin)
  • University of Rijeka
  • Institute for the Development of Education

This paper aims to examine the development and piloting of a novel European framework for community engagement (CE) in higher education, which has been purposefully designed to progress the CE …


Online learning and teaching for the SDGs – exploring emerging university strategies

  • RMIT University

The purpose of this paper is to explore emerging synergies and tensions between the twin moves to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and online learning and teaching …


The influence of group-level factors on individual energy-saving behaviors in a shared space: The case of shared residences

  • Swinburne University of Technology
  • Shenzhen University

In business and service buildings, shared spaces constitute large areas where occupants share energy resources and manage them. Changing people's behaviors toward conscious and efficient energy use within shared spaces …


Teaching What Society Needs: “Hacking” an Introductory Marketing Course With Sustainability and Macromarketing

  • Pennsylvania State University (PA)
  • Simon Fraser University (BC)
  • Ollscoil na Gaillimhe - University of Galway (Co. Galway)
  • University of London
  • Middle East Technical University
  • IE Business School

Marketing classes are often focused on the micro level, failing to account for wider societal issues. In this article, we argue for the inclusion of a wider macro-sustainability focus, one …


Sustainable Product Design Education: Current Practice

  • UNSW Sydney (NSW)
  • Technische Universiteit Delft
  • Nottingham Trent University
  • University of Sheffield
  • Technical University of Denmark
  • 3Drivers

Current production and consumption patterns are unsustainable, causing irreversible damage to the environment and human health and well-being. Designers play a vital role in resolving this problem—their decisions affect product …


Expectations and Interests of University Students in COVID-19 Times about Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru

  • Ontario Tech University (ON)
  • Tecnológico de Monterrey (Nuevo Leon)
  • Universidad Politécnica Estatal del Carchi
  • Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga
  • Escuela Nacional de Marina Mercante “Almirante Miguel Grau”
  • Universidad de Lima

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the world, creating the need for new actions from society, including universities and companies. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are …


Multiple case-study analysis of service-learning as a means to foster sustainability competencies amongst pre-service educators

  • Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (Madrid)
  • Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
  • Rovira i Virgili University
  • Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

The aim of this multiple case-study analysis was to find out the influence that service-learning methodology has on the development of sustainability competences amongst university students (Preschool, Primary and Social …


Analysis of sustainability insertion in materials selection courses of engineering undergraduate programmes

  • University of Campinas
  • Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Universidad Católica del Norte

This study aims to analyse how the materials selection courses of engineering undergraduate programmes can be better aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


Exploring Student Engagement in Sustainability Education and Study Abroad

  • University of Georgia (GA)
  • University of Technology Sydney
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN)
  • Fulbright University Vietnam

This paper specifically outlines an investigation of the influence of sustainability education and study abroad coursework on levels of a key component of academic success, student engagement. A quasi-experimental design …


Social Learning of Sustainability in a Pandemic—Changes to Sustainability Understandings, Attitudes, and Behaviors during the Global Pandemic in a Higher Education Setting

  • University of Queensland (QLD)
  • University of Klagenfurt

When people learn from each other and change their behavior accordingly, this is called social learning. COVID-19 not only taught us new habits to limit contagion, imposed restrictions also limited …


Applying SDGs as a systematic approach for incorporating sustainability in higher education

  • University of Melbourne (Victoria)

The achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) for all communities and jurisdictions require a comprehensive roadmap that encompasses all dimensions of data infrastructure, social, economic, environmental and governance ecosystems. …


A hybrid approach to sustainable development competencies: the role of formal, informal and non-formal learning experiences

  • University of São Paulo

This paper aims to explore whether formal, non-formal, and informal learning experiences contribute to developing sustainable development competencies (SDCs) among students in a Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) signatory …


Healthy Settings: Barriers and Facilitators to a Healthy Campus Community

  • University of Texas at Austin (TX)
  • McMaster University (ON)
  • St. Francis Xavier University (NS)

This paper provides a synopsis of findings from the first two phases of a larger campus-based participatory action research study, which examines the factors that contribute to health within a …


Diversity without Race: How University Internationalization Strategies Discuss International Students

  • University of Toronto (ON)

This article examines how a sample of 62 higher education institutions in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom discuss international students in their official institutionalization strategies, focusing on …