Throughout our lives, transitions between old and new mark the passage of time, reminding us of the inevitability of change and the opportunities they bring. Too little do we spend the time to pause and reflect during this time of transition, like the changing of a calendar year… or something even more profound. It was this sentiment that guided our agenda at our final Task Force meeting of 2024.
On 18 November 2024, the Task Force gathered for its seventh meeting since its inception. The Task Force meets during each semester to receive information and provide input that guides the work of the Teaching for Sustainability initiative. A representative from every Faculty is invited to join the Task Force. Held in the “Stora konferensrummet” at the Ecology Building, this meeting reflected on our collective achievements while setting our sights on priorities for 2025. From sharing updates across faculties to discussing strategies for embedding sustainability into higher education, the session was both reflective and forward-looking.
Updates & Achievements
Our meeting began with participants sharing updates from their respective departments and faculties. Some highlights included:
- At the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS) is celebrating the launch of its new master’s programme, Climate Change and Society, while also wrapping up its online course Agenda 2030: Knowing, Measuring, Leading. There’s hope to transform this course into a MOOC, ensuring continued access to its materials.
- At the Faculty of Law, efforts are underway to integrate sustainability throughout the master’s programme European Business Law, exemplifying cross-disciplinary integration.
- At the Joint Faculty of Humanities and Theology, the Department of Communication and Media shared plans to create a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on social sustainability with funding provided by EduLab.
Prioritising Community and Communication
A recurring theme in our discussion was the importance of clear and effective communication as a means to build a community of support. While some find email the best method for communication, others rely on platforms like Microsoft Teams, LinkedIn, or newsletters. Moving forward, we aim to harness a mix of these approaches, expanding our current reach among teaching staff at Lund University. Moreover, we propose more social events for community-building, engagement, and support.
We also brainstormed creative ways to engage students, such as leveraging Lund University’s Instagram accounts to feature student interviews on their sustainability learning journeys. We recognise that students’ experiences and expectations can be a significant motivating factor if this information reaches decision-makers, who are currently underrepresented in our community.
Challenges and Commitments for 2025
Looking ahead to 2025, the Task Force is committed to addressing both persistent challenges and emerging opportunities for advancing education for sustainability at Lund University.
A critical priority is securing resources to sustain and expand our efforts. This includes advocating collaboratively for institutional support from university leadership and emphasising the importance of both financial backing and recognition for sustainability-related teaching initiatives. To this end, an open letter is being drafted to bring these needs to management, highlighting the value of education for sustainability in attracting students, enhancing Lund University’s global standing, and addressing the concerns raised by teaching staff as well as students in their open letter to rectors at Swedish universities and colleges.
Read the students’ open letter – slu.se (In Swedish)
Another focus area is fostering stronger cross-departmental and faculty-wide collaboration. Many of our faculties still operate in silos, and we aim to strengthen communication channels to connect educators meaningfully across disciplines. Strategies include hosting lunch seminars at departments, developing accessible communication materials, and organising events that bring students and staff together to discuss sustainability challenges and solutions.
Embedding sustainability into course syllabi remains a key challenge, particularly ensuring that these efforts result in meaningful changes. To address this, we plan to engage more actively with deans and heads of departments through direct conversations and tailored workshops. Establishing long-term partnerships with pedagogical developers and expanding the Task Force membership to include other strategic groups will be important.
Lastly, we aspire to nurture the constructive and inspiring atmosphere within the Task Force. We will prioritise sharing good practices, structuring meetings around thematic and strategic discussions, and leveraging cross-university initiatives like the implementation of the LU Pedagogical Recognition Programme, Agenda 2030 Graduate School, as well as partnerships with EUGLOH and U21.
Looking Ahead
With the changing of a calendar year, we invite a moment of reflection. I often recall the wise words of Dougald Hine, who writes and speaks eloquently on living during the end of the world as we know it. He advocates for choices that 1) salvage the good things; 2) mourn what we cannot take with us; 3) notice the things that never were good; and 4) look for dropped threads from the past that still work. So, looking ahead, what good things do we want to take forward with us? What practices do we wish to leave behind? And, what new approaches do we wish to adopt in the future?
Answering these questions may feel deeply personal, though, I find it also feels deeply empowering, especially when shared with friends and colleagues. With this in mind, we always want the initiative to be a welcoming and supportive place. Thus, we welcome ideas and collaborations. If you’re interested in joining our efforts, contact Terese Thoni (terese.thoni@cec.lu.se) at the Sustainability Forum
By focusing on these areas in 2025, we aim to strengthen our collective efforts, knowing that meaningful change takes time, persistence, and collaboration. Together, we’ll continue building a community of teachers who support and inspire one another in navigating the complexities of sustainability in higher education. Thanks to all that have participated in making this community what it is, including those in attendance at the final Task Force meeting of 2024! Cheers to a new year!
Those Present:
- Ann Åkerman, Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS)/Sustainability Forum
- Carina Fasth, Department of Physics
- Ebba Malmqvist, Planetary Health, Department of Laboratory Medicine
- Marja-Liisa Öberg, Faculty of Law
- Markus Gunneflo, Faculty of Law
- Michael Bossetta, Department of Communication
- Mirjam Glessmer, Centre för Engineering Education
- Rhiannon Pugh, Department of Design Sciences
- Sara Andersson, Division for Higher Education Development (AHU)
- Steven Curtis, Division for Higher Education Development (AHU) – meeting facilitator
- Susanne Brokop, Department of Health Sciences
- Terese Thoni, Sustainability Forum – meeting minutes
- Thomas Hickmann, Department of Political Science
