The Bloomsbury Handbook of Sustainability in Higher Education - (Bloomsbury Handbooks) by Wendy M Purcell & Janet Haddock-Fraser (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This Handbook illustrates that universities per se and higher education in general are essential to catalyze and action the transformative change needed for sustainability and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. Part One shows how sustainability can be adopted as a driver of change within higher education institutions (HEIs), as they react and respond to influencing factors outside the academy. Part Two examines how a university working with and for sustainability can influence, effect and amplify change beyond the institution, working with and through others.

International contributors explore regional, national and international perspectives, presenting a variety of critically assessed accounts case studies that reflect different local and national contexts, institutional archetypes and academic missions. Frameworks of sustainability-led transformation are illustrated at the level of the institution (executive/administrative), organization, culture, place-based (anchor) and student in various countries including Aruba, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Lebanon, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The book concludes with a manifesto for change and a call to action. It identifies that the sustainability journey of a HEI is influenced by context and place, with mission, leadership and strategy playing a vital role and change agency by students a key ingredient. Recognizing the patience and resolve to effect change, communication, dialogue and inclusion were central to community building and partnership.

Review Quotes

Our only hope to achieve a sustainable future for the soon-to-be 10 billion of us on this planet is to ensure that the 200 million students currently pursuing some form of higher education understand the importance and complexity of the global sustainable development agenda, are provided the tools to positively participate in and shape it, and are inspired to make a difference. This Handbook, edited by Wendy Purcell and Janet Haddock-Fraser, provides an effective roadmap for institutions ready to step up to the challenge and play a role through education, research and as convenors of other actors.
Angel Cabrera, President of Georgia Institute of Technology, USA

Sustainability requires of universities to re-imagine and re-position their role in society as agents and drivers of transformative change. It calls for engagement with societal challenges strategically intentional ways. This Handbook skilfully demonstrates how to critically think about sustainability and provides a wealth of examples of practical actions.
Tawana Kupe, Vice Chancellor and Rector, University of Pretoria, South Africa

With this Handbook, the editors have provided the right book at the right time. With scant time until 2030, we are not anywhere close to achieving the 17 SDGs. This comprehensive and diverse collection of cases should serve as a wake-up call to all HEIs to engage in transformational change.
Ellen E. Touchstone, Associate Dean, Responsible and Sustainable Business Education, International Business School Suzhou at XJTLU, China

About the Author

Wendy Purcell is an Academic Research Scholar at Harvard University, USA. She is an Emeritus Professor and was President Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, UK. Wendy is a Council Member of the United Nations University, on the Governing Board of EELISA European University and a Fellow of EAUC: The Alliance for Sustainability Education and Chair of its Leadership Academy. Wendy is a strategic advisor to a range of global universities, companies, and charitable organizations.

Janet Haddock-Fraser is Emeritus Professor of Sustainability and Leadership at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. She was Chair of Trustees for the EAUC: The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education between 2016-2020 and is a Board Member for both the Land Trust and the Peak District National Park Authority, UK.