There
is growing pressure and expectation on the higher education (HE) sector to
respond to the sustainability challenge and consider how best to embed
sustainable development into policies and practices, not least in learning and
teaching and curricula. To that end, the Higher Education Academy’s Education
for Sustainable Development (ESD) Project is continuing to support a programme
of development activity and capacity building so as to better assist institutions
and subject communities in their development of curricula and pedagogy that
will allow students to develop the skills and knowledge to live and work
sustainably. This recognises the importance of increasing 'sustainability
literacy' among students and the growing demand for sustainability skills among
employers.
The Higher
Education Academy’s ESD Project invites applications for the funding of small
grants designed to develop small-scale work in the area of interdisciplinarity.
Whilst the growing sustainability agenda is giving rise to interdisciplinary
research in HEIs, interdisciplinary teaching and learning is less developed,
indicating a gap between interest on the one hand, and slow progress on the
other – often related to existing boundaries and barriers pertaining in
institutions. This funding is designed to encourage bidders to develop
collaborative activities that can research, inform, and build on the
interdisciplinary nature of ESD and explore its potential for curriculum
innovation and renewal. It is expected that the bids will be curriculum and
pedagogy focused.
Bids from more
than one academic discipline are mandatory.
As background,
prospective applicants are encouraged to see:
Ryan, A and Brooks, C (2007), ESD Interdisciplinary Discussion
Series, Higher Education Academy: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/projects/detail/esd/esd_interdisc_series2007
Blake J, Sterling S and Kagawa, F (2009) Getting It Together:
Interdisciplinarity and Sustainability in the Higher Education Institution,
Occasional Paper 3, Centre for Sustainable Futures, University of Plymouth: http://csf.plymouth.ac.uk/files/Getting_it_Together_18.06.09.pdf
(PDF)
The ESD Project is setting aside £25k for grants in this
Tranche; the maximum funding for any single proposal will be £5k.
Key dates
There will be a two-stage process whereby expressions
of interest of not more than 250 words are invited by noon on Monday 18 January
2010, and applicants will be informed of the outcome by Wednesday 27 January
2010.
Successful bidders will then be invited to submit full
applications by Monday 8 March 2010.
Applicants will be informed by Friday 9 April 2010. It is expected that
projects will be completed by 24 June 2011.
all the best
heather
Heather Luna
ESD Project Coordinator
HE Academy
