Sustainability Education Initiatives for University Staff: A Case Study from Dalhousie University

Abstract

Universities play a pivotal role in fostering sustainability practices through education and operation. Considerable attention has been given to integrating sustainability into curricula to engage students; however, there is a gap in understanding the influence of university staff in this movement. This study examined staff education initiatives across U15 Canadian universities, focusing on Dalhousie University as a case study. Through a comparative analysis of existing initiatives in other U15 universities and interviews with staff at Dalhousie University, this study aimed to assess the awareness, motivation and existing gaps in staff engagement with sustainability initiatives. A variety of training strategies implemented at other U15 universities were identified, including in-person workshops, online asynchronous modules, and hybrid (in-person/online) training models. Some institutions have found training focused on staff engagement and interpersonal skills to be most effective, whereas others emphasize the importance of educating staff on basic sustainability principles and providing them with resources to learn more. The interviews with Dalhousie University staff revealed that staff are interested in sustainability but feel that there is insufficient support for sustainability education and initiatives from their departments. Staff provided various suggestions for training formats and topics, many of which aligned with the training strategies implemented at other U15 schools. The results suggest that the ideal training format for Dalhousie is a hybrid model that includes both general sustainability education and specific training curated to the staffs’ departments or positions. This training strategy can be recommended to Dalhousie University and other institutions to enhance workplace sustainability. The motivation is prominent in staff engagement in sustainability training programs; thus, it is imperative for U15 universities to adopt effective initiatives to advance their campus sustainability goals.