SOS-UK was created in response to the climate and ecological crisis that we are facing. We believe Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)is central in responding to these crises, providing students with the skills, values and attributes to create, and thrive in, a sustainable future. We’re not alone: students and staff across the sector want to see education that puts sustainable development front and centre. 83% of students want to see it actively incorporated and promoted through all courses and 93% of staff think it’s important that students leave education with the knowledge and understanding, skills and competencies to address sustainability challenges.
Work with us in 2021-22, to respond to this demand, and progress your ESD work.
We have lots of opportunities in the coming academic year for universities, colleges and students’ unions to get involved with ESD. Find out more below:
Responsible Futures: 2021 will mark the 8th year of Responsible Futures. Over 30 partnerships between students’ unions and institutions have taken part in the supported change and accreditation scheme to embed sustainability and social responsibility in the formal, informal and subliminal curriculum. Responsible Futures is accepted by the People and Planet University League as a recognised framework ESD and demonstrating participation will support your assessment in the People & Planet league table. Responsible Futures is also a step in the Climate Commission HE Climate Action Toolkit and FE Climate Action Roadmap.
ESD Changemakers *new for2021-22*: Our new ESD changemakers programme supports students and staff to work together as co-creators of their institutions’ approach to ESD. It seeks to address ‘D3’: democratising, decarbonising and decolonising teaching, learning and research. Sign up before 3rd September2021 to be part of our pilot in 2021-22!
SDG Curriculum Mapping: Our SDG curriculum mapping support package trains students to map the UN Sustainable Development Goals across the formal curriculum, identifying pockets of good practice across the institution, and areas for improvement.
For Good: Our For Good platform pairs students with organisations to use their education as a force for environmental, social and economic good. All students can register on the platform for free to find research, project and placement opportunities that align with their values and contribute meaningfully towards sustainability. Institutions and organisations can become members to register their own opportunities and facilitate partnerships with students.
SDG Teach In: The SDG Teach In is our annual two-week campaign to put the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the heart of all stages of education, and across all disciplines. The 2021-22 campaign will run from 21stFebruary to 4th March 2022 and will once again call upon educators to include the SDGS within their teaching, learning and assessment during the two-week(and beyond!). More information and the pledge form will be released over the summer, but you can put the dates in your diary and start to plan how you’ll engage educators across your institution!
Learning Academy: Our experienced team can deliver bespoke workshops for students and/or staff to support your ESD aims. If you are a UCU member, you can also look out for UCU CPD workshops via your local branch, delivered by SOS-UK through the Learning Academy.
You can find out more about SOS-UK’s projects and campaigns here. Get in touch at hello@sos-uk.orgif you would like to discuss any of our work, and how we can support you. You can signup to our programmes here.