Developing leadership qualities in environmental sustainability through university co-curricular activities
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 26 June 2021
Issue publication date: 28 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide insight into the question of whether graduate students who deliver environmental education workshops/residencies to elementary school children will develop environmental sustainability leadership qualities in themselves: a goal set in the University of Calgary’s Institutional Sustainability Strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey research was undertaken in a case study setting. The researchers collected and analyzed data related to environmental leadership qualities, using the theory of planned behavior and an adaptation of the competing values framework. Graduate students participating in the co-curricular program responded to questions about the effect that the activity had on their knowledge, awareness and leadership characteristics.
Findings
Graduate students demonstrated considerable leadership potential in environmental sustainability. The survey results showed that their participation in a community educational program impacted their attitudes and awareness favorably in developing stronger competencies for leadership. In addition, they gained real-world knowledge about environmentally sustainable practices and skills to influence pro-environmental behavior changes in the community.
Originality/value
Through a partnership between a non-profit organization and the university, graduate students in an interdisciplinary sustainable energy development program used their formal education and previous work experience to adapt and deliver engaging and educational environmental content to younger children. This informal co-curricular activity brought together local educational institutions, educational content providers, graduate students, and elementary school children in an effective experiential learning platform to develop leadership characteristics both in the graduate students and elementary school children.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Energy Efficiency Alberta for funding to conduct the 4E program and MITACS for funding to complete this research.
Citation
Ordaz, K., Tan, K., Skett , S. and Herremans, I.M. (2021), "Developing leadership qualities in environmental sustainability through university co-curricular activities", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 22 No. 7, pp. 1609-1629. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-10-2020-0421
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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