Connecting with the Sustainable Development Goals

This interactive workshop explores practical and theoretical approaches to integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into teaching and learning activities across disciplines. With sustainability gaining prominence in higher education, the SDGs are increasingly emphasised in higher education policy and institutional strategies (Winter & Cotton, 2012). As a result, many educators face pressure to align their teaching, assessment and overall curricula with the SDGs (Vogel et al., 2023). However, challenges are faced when many educators remain unaware of the SDGs, are uncertain about what the SDGs encompass or, most importantly, how they can be meaningfully integrated into their curricula (Higgins & Calvert, 2024).

Participants will engage in collaborative activities designed to uncover the links between their subject areas and the SDGs, empowering them to design teaching and learning activities that embed sustainability. The session also delves into the scholarly and theoretical dimensions of the SDGs, critically evaluating their implications for pedagogy and SoTL.

Through practical examples and critical reflection, the workshop will support educators in navigating both institutional pressures to align with the SDGs and their own aspirations for transformative, sustainable teaching. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the SDGs, their application to various disciplines, and approaches to fostering a deeper connection between these global goals and local educational practices.