COVID-19 and learning for sustainability in HE

In October/November 2020, we asked students in higher education how their interest in and ability to engage in learning experiences linked to sustainable development had been influenced by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Over 8300 respondents studying at a higher education level across the UK told us:

• 22% of respondents say they have a lower interest in engaging with formal learning experiences as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising to 30% when respondents consider informal experiences either within or outside the university or students’ union.
• Reasons behind lower interest include difficulties associated with online learning, mental health impacts associated with the virus and restrictions put in place to reduce its impact and a lack of availability of opportunities.
• However 31% say the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a greater interest in formal learning experiences linked to sustainability and 28%say their interest in informal opportunities at university has increased, and 26% say their interest in engaging with these opportunities in their local communities has increased.
• Reasons behind a greater interest include the pandemic highlighting the impact of humanity on the planet and having more time to reflect on issues such as sustainability.
• 40% of respondents say the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on their ability to engage with formal learning experiences linked to sustainability, and this rises to 45% when respondents consider informal experiences either within their university or students’ union and 43% when considering learning experiences in the local community.
• Reasons behind a negative impact on the ability to engage include a perception of fewer opportunities being available, and a preference for engaging face-to-face rather than online.
• 18% say the COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on their ability to engage in formal learning experiences linked to sustainability. 17%and 16% respectively say their ability to engage in informal opportunities at university and in the local community respectively has increased as a result of the pandemic.
• Reasons behind a positive impact on the ability to engage include more time to engage as a result of restrictions enforced to tackle the pandemic and online engagement opening up previously unavailable opportunities.

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