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INSPIRE sustainability internships : Promoting campus greening initiatives through student participation

Carolyn Susan Hayles (School of Art and Design, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK)

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education

ISSN: 1467-6370

Article publication date: 8 May 2019

Issue publication date: 10 July 2019

632

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the outputs of an internship programme, one of a number of campus-based sustainability activities that have been introduced at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, to encourage student-led campus-based greening initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach was undertaken, allowing the researcher to investigate the programme in its real-life context. The researcher used multiple sources of evidence to gain as holistic a picture as possible.

Findings

Interns report positive changes in their behaviours towards sustainability, s well as encouraging feedback on their experiential learning, the development of their soft skills and the creation of new knowledge. Moreover, students communicated perceived benefits for their future careers. The reported outcomes reflect mutually beneficial relationships for student and institution, for example, raising the profile of campus greening activities and supporting the University’s aim to embed sustainability throughout its campus, community and culture.

Research limitations/implications

The researcher recognises the limitations of the research, in particular, the small sample size, which has resulted primarily in qualitative results being presented.

Practical implications

Feedback from previous interns will be used to shape future internships. In particular, Institute of Sustainable Practice, Innovation and Resource Effectiveness (INSPIRE) will look for opportunities to work more closely with University operations, departments, faculties and alongside University staff, both academic and support staff.

Social implications

Following student feedback, INSPIRE will give students opportunities for wider involvement, including an opportunity to propose their own projects to shape future internships that meet the needs of student body on campus.

Originality/value

Despite being one case study from one institution, the research highlights the value of such programmes for other institutions.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank and acknowledge Jennifer Lloyd for helping to collect the data and all the INSPIRE interns who took part in the research.

Citation

Hayles, C.S. (2019), "INSPIRE sustainability internships : Promoting campus greening initiatives through student participation", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 20 No. 3, pp. 452-469. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-03-2019-0111

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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