(List #88) Embedding the SDGs
You may have noticed that List was missing from your inbox last week. I’m currently working on a new book (more on that soon) and may miss a few Lists here and there until the manuscript is submitted (which is soon). Apologies in advance!
This week’s list looks at different ways schools are embedding the SDGs. I’ll be sharing more examples next week on how schools are embedding the SDGs if you have any you would like to share.
1. UNIVERSITY SDG REPORT
The University of Auckland in New Zealand publishes an annual SDG Report that provides a range of examples of initiatives that the Business School staff are leading in pursuit of the goals. Some research and education-related metrics are reported under each SDG based on Elsevier’s 2021 SDG Mapping and the University of Auckland’s enhanced approach. This ‘Auckland Approach’ represents the University’s effort to localise SDG mapping to understand SDG activities that are unique to the University of Auckland, their Māori and Pacific communities, Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Pacific region.
2. SDG MULTIMEDIA CONTEST
The annual SDG Multimedia Contest at Seneca Faculty of Business in Canada gives students the opportunity to create short videos or infographics, while raising awareness of sustainability issues. The contest asked students to submit ideas on how to make a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable Seneca Business with an SDG lens. Individual and team contestants worked with faculty mentors. There were about 90 entries and faculty judges chose six finalists. Seneca Business students and employees were then invited to vote for their favourites. Four teams were announced as winners at a livestreamed award ceremony.
3. SDG MAPPING TOOLS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The University of Wollongong in Australia has developed, in partnership with Healthy Cities Illawarra, an SDG Mapping tool for Local Government called the SDG Localiser. The pilot software, which is provided free of charge to everyone, aims to help local governments map their own progress against the SDGs and their respective targets. The SDG Localiser enables the manual process to occur in a more efficient way, shortening the timeframe with a digital trail that can show growth over time. The research project worked initially with Shoalhaven City Council to conduct a mapping exercise to align the global SDG Targets and Indicators with some of their key strategic and operational documents.
4. MAPPING THE STUDENT SDG JOURNEY
Murdoch Business School in Australia recently launched a newly developed Major in Entrepreneurship and Innovation that is deeply connected to the SDGs. Each of the eight units in the major are project-based and have specific UNSDG thematic foci. To complete each unit, students must apply their knowledge in the unit discipline (finance, project management, etc.) to a selected UNSDG challenge, requiring them to develop knowledge, insight and awareness in both areas.
5. SDG FOCUSED RESEARCH AND SCHOOL STRATEGIES
La Trobe Business School in Australia maps its research as it’s aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. It provides this information not just for all of their research, but divided by department. The school’s newly endorsed strategy will explicitly address the SDGs and, importantly, formalise their importance to the School. To support the new strategy, the School has also established a SDG Working Party, with representation from across all School disciplines and from the School executive.