Cultivating students' sustainability-oriented learning at the interface of science and society: a configuration of interrelated enablers
July 15, 2022 - Tassone, Valentina C.; den Brok, Perry; Tho, Cassandra W. S.; Wals, Arjen E. J.
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EmailJournal or Book Title: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
DOI:10.1108/IJSHE-01-2022-0014
Abstract: Purpose By envisioning the learning environment as an eco-social system, this study aims to map interrelated enablers of students' sustainability-oriented learning (SoL) in the context of a university course at the interface of science and society. Design/methodology/approach A case-study approach was used to delineate what enables student learning in a university-wide transdisciplinary Master of Science course. A sample of 102 students, university and societal stakeholders participated to this study, by sharing their experiences and views through focus groups and questionnaires. Findings A main finding is the development of a configuration of six intertwined enablers that through their interplay help to cultivate students' SoL, in the course under exploration. Originality/value This study paves the way for a re-orientation of how to explore learning in complex environments. It shows that adopting a relational, situated and systems approach is not only feasible but is also desirable to understand and guide learning practices in complex environments.
Type of Publication: Article