Combining forces

Abstract

Purpose This paper describes the sustainability partnership between the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia (UBC) and, in particular, the co-curricular Greenest City Scholars graduate student internship program, which has been developed by the two organizations. Through the program, UBC graduate students work on projects at the City that help to advance sustainability targets. The paper aims to explore the successes, challenges and lessons learned from the program. Design/methodology/approach This case study uses literature and document review, observations, program participant evaluation surveys and project impact survey feedback. Findings The Greenest City Scholars program model has contributed to the sustainability goals at UBC and the City of Vancouver and has supported the partnership between the two organizations. The program has grown over its five-year history and is considered to be a central part of the partnership. Breadth of student participants from across the university and high participation from City departments have been achieved. The model is now being adapted to be delivered within other partnerships. Practical implications The experiences presented in this case study can help other higher education institutions understand how a co-curricular graduate student work experience program could help to bolster their own sustainability partnerships. Originality/value This paper makes a contribution by providing insight into the use of a graduate student program to advance the goals of a university–community sustainability partnership.

Student-led sustainability transformations: employing realist evaluation to open the black box of learning in a Challenge Lab curriculum

“…Linking theory, practice and critical reflective thinking; learning to make complexity of sustainability viable and actionable in context (Tilbury, 2016;Biberhofer and Rammel, 2017;Backman et al, 2019). Adding authentic experiences to personal and professional development (Biberhofer and Rammel, 2017;Hannon et al, 2018;Heiskanen et al, 2016;Munro et al, 2016) In particular, "in-between" spaces in complex sustainability challenges are understood to provide meaningful spaces for learning (Vilsmaier and Lang, 2015). By bridging disciplines, sectors, and knowledge-action fields, such spaces encourage students to change perspectives, explore otherness and create mutual understandings.…”

“…Students witness a connection to the learning space and each other where they are seen as people and feel important, in an open, trusting and respectful atmosphere. Sustainability-oriented learning processes that emphasise inner and personal spheres of transformation highlight learning outcomes towards increased self-efficacy and confidence (Brower, 2011), motivation, agency and commitment to action (Bovill, 2019;Munro et al, 2016;Murray, 2018;Tilbury, 2016) as well as meaning and hope (Hooks, 2003;Wamsler, 2020).…”

Expanding Student Engagement in Sustainability: Using SDG- and CEL-Focused Inventories to Transform Curriculum at the University of Toronto

“…Another change in HEIs is a greater emphasis on experiential learning to solve pressing issues identified by society [6]. Specifically, this has involved creating more opportunities for solutions-based pedagogy, often guided by collaboration with partners outside academia (this could include operational staff at the university, civil society organizations, or private sector actors) [7]. This educational strategy is called the "Living Lab" approach at U of T, also called "real-world laboratories," "urban living labs," and "sustainability learning labs" [8][9][10].…”

Aprendizagem organizacional e práticas ambientalmente sustentáveis em instituições de ensino superior: um estudo sobre o Canadá e o Brasil

“…Essas parcerias têm sido dirigidas pelos compromissos da liderança com a sustentabilidade; questões econômicas; requerimentos regulatórios e legislativos; e regras da sociedade. Munro et al (2016), também sem utilizarem indicador específico, descreveram o programa de estágio curricular do Greenest City Scholars. Neste programa os estudantes da Universidade da Columbia Britanica trabalham em projetos na cidade de Vancouver e ajudam a avançar nas metas de sustentabilidade.…”