What can those working within higher education institutions (HEI’s) do in response to the climate and ecological crisis? Given the planetary crises are linked to other gender, racial, social and economic injustices, what we are facing are multiple and interlinked crises – which together constitute a ‘polycrisis’.

This professionally facilitated participatory event stems from a successful first meeting in Galway, November 2023, on the topic 'What should Higher Education Institutions do about the planetary crisis?' (Read the Galway report here)

Hosted by the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action (SECA) at Queen's, this event is an opportunity for those who study and work within universities across the island of Ireland (researchers, cleaners, management, estates, procurement, HR, etc.), as well as those who have a stake or interest in the knowledge, research and other activitieis of higher education (local citizens, farmers, communities, activists, civil society organisations), to come together to discuss what "fit for purpose" education should look like and achieve in the context of our planetary crisis.

Aims and objectives

1. To create and sustain a network of HEI staff, students and community stakeholders across the island of Ireland engaged in helping HEIs respond better to our planetary crisis, e.g., by sharing ideas, offering mutual support in implementing new practices, pedagogies and experiments.

2. During the March meeting in Belfast, to crowdsource, inspirations and ideas for teaching and learning about the planetary crisis at HEIs, to include:

a) Inspirations on how and in what ways good response is already happening;

b) Insights on how/where we’re getting stuck and how to better engage with staff, students and other stakeholders;

c) Appropriate/transformative pedagogy for teaching and learning about the planetary crisis.

Programme

10:00 – 11:00 Session 1: Reimagining the University

11:00 – 11.30 Break

11.30 – 13:00 Session 2: "Fit for purpose" education for the Planetary Crisis

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch

14:00 – 16:00 Session 3: Actions and Next Steps

If you have any questions about this event, please contact John Barry (j.barry@qub.ac.uk) and/or Calum McGeown (cmcgeown16@qub.ac.uk)