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Proposed mapping and evaluation model of sustainable development goals in graduate programs in environmental sciences in Brazil

José Carmino Gomes Junior (Department of Informatics, São Judas Tadeu University/USJT, São Paulo, Brazil)
Sandra Dalila Corbari (State University of Ponta Grossa/UEPG, São Paulo, Brazil)
Cláudia Terezinha Kniess (Federal University of São Paulo/USP, São Paulo, Brazil; Graduate Program in Civil Engineering, São Judas Tadeu University/USJT, São Paulo, Brazil and Anima Institute/IA, São Paulo, Brazil)
Gérsica Moraes Nogueira da Silva (Environmental Management Group, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil and Advanced Studies Institute, University of São Paulo/USP, São Paulo, Brazil)
Simone Caroline Piontkewicz (Regional University of Blumenau/FURB, Santa Catarina, Brazil)
Maiara de Souza Melo (Federal Institute of Paraiba/IFPB, Paraiba, Brazil)
Amanda Silveira Carbone (University of São Paulo/USP, São Paulo, Brazil)
Oklinger Mantovaneli Jr (Regional University of Blumenau/FURB, Santa Catarina, Brazil)
Maria do Carmo Martins Sobral (Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil)
Arlindo Philippi Junior (University of São Paulo/USP, São Paulo, Brazil)
Felipe Fernandez (Graduate Program in Administration/PPGA, Center for Sustainable Development/Research in Group in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability/GREENS, University of Southern Santa Catarina/UNISUL, Santa Catarina, Brazil)
Ana Regina de Aguiar Dutra (Graduate Program in Administration/PPGA, Center for Sustainable Development/Research in Group in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability/GREENS, University of Southern Santa Catarina/UNISUL, Santa Catarina, Brazil and Anima Institute, São Paulo, Brazil)
Robert Samuel Birch (University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK and Federal University of ABC/UFABC, São Paulo, Brazil)
José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra (Graduate Program in Administration/PPGA, Center for Sustainable Development/Research in Group in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability/GREENS, University of Southern Santa Catarina/UNISUL, Santa Catarina, Brazil and Anima Institute/IA, São Paulo, Brazil)
Carlos Alberto Cioce Sampaio (Graduate Program in Regional Development, Regional University of Blumenau/FURB, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina/UNISUL, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Graduate Program in Governance and Sustainability, Higher Institute of Economics and Administration/ISAE, Curitiba, Brazil and Anima Institute, São Paulo, Brazil)

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education

ISSN: 1467-6370

Article publication date: 14 March 2023

Issue publication date: 13 November 2023

135

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aim to propose a methodological mapping approach for the evaluation of dissertations and theses of graduate programs in the area of environmental sciences in Brazil in relation to the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Design/methodology/approach

The research is characterized as exploratory with qualitative/quantitative approach. The proposed model was developed as a computational algorithm with a pilot being adopted as a professional master in national network for teaching in environmental sciences (ProfCiAmb) comprising associated courses from nine Brazilian public universities. 230 dissertations completed between 2018 and 2020 were analyzed.

Findings

A total of 266 correlations were identified between the texts and descriptors of each SDG. Correlation values between 0.100 (minimum value – Vmin) and 0.464 (maximum value – Vmax) were observed. SDG 4 – Quality Education (Vmax = 0.399) and SDG 6 – Drinking Water and Sanitation (Vmax = 0.464) were those with the highest correlation values, followed by SDG 3 – Health and Well-Being (Vmax = 0.299) and SDG 17 – Partnerships and Means of Implementation (Vmax = 0.249).

Practical implications

The construction of the computational algorithm provided consistent quantitative analyses with potential to contribute to the improvement of the multidimensional evaluation of graduate studies, as well as to support public policies related to teaching and research and strategic planning of the programs.

Originality/value

The relevance of this study lies in the creation of a model that involves the creation of metrics and tools regarding the impact of graduate studies on society.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted by the Centre for Sustainable Development (GREENS), from the University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL) and Ânima Institute – AI, in the context of the project BRIDGE – Building Resilience in a Dynamic Global Economy: Complexity across scales in the Brazilian Food-Water-Energy Nexus; funded by the Newton Fund; Institute of Advanced Studies/Synthesis Center on Global Cities at University of São Paulo (IEA/USP); National Foundation for the Development of Private Higher Education (FUNADESP); Foundation for Support to Research and Innovation of the State of Santa Catarina (FAPESC); Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Research Councils United Kingdom (RCUK).

Citation

Gomes Junior, J.C., Dalila Corbari, S., Kniess, C.T., Nogueira da Silva, G.M., Piontkewicz, S.C., de Souza Melo, M., Silveira Carbone, A., Mantovaneli Jr, O., Martins Sobral, M.d.C., Philippi Junior, A., Fernandez, F., de Aguiar Dutra, A.R., Birch, R.S., Guerra, J.B.S.O.d.A. and Sampaio, C.A.C. (2023), "Proposed mapping and evaluation model of sustainable development goals in graduate programs in environmental sciences in Brazil", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 24 No. 7, pp. 1452-1473. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-07-2022-0230

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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