Sustainable Universities and Colleges: Sustainability Advances in Institutions of Higher Education

This book provides a set of decision and organizational models for the advancement of sustainability in higher education. International authors present how universities and colleges have attempted to advance sustainability both within and outside of their institutions, and how institutions of higher education can continue to upgrade those efforts to help lead societies toward greater sustainability in the future. Transdisciplinary in scope, this book emphasizes the need for universities to advance both environmental and socio-economic sustainability, specifically by utilizing five key higher education functions: research, operations, outreach, teaching and stakeholder interactions. Authors explain how higher education institutions have the knowledge, legitimacy, and resources to make significant impacts on individuals and systems in their respective communities. They discuss the evolving nature of sustainability education in its movement away from anthropocentrism toward forward-thinking ecocentrism, with increased recognition of indigenous worldviews. Examining various avenues for innovation, authors dissect issues such as infrastructure, research and curriculum integration, and internal and external community engagement, and explore how sustainable solutions require commitment on all levels, and in all disciplines. This book is a crucial resource for students and academics in management and sustainability and management and universities. It is also an inspiring read for university and college stakeholders including sustainability officers and staff and administrators.