DECODE Sustainability Project - Newsletter Issue 4, January 2023

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Newsletter Issue 4

January 2023

The DECODE Sustainability Project addresses the need of strengthening the link between Higher Education and sustainability by providing Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with a suitable tool-based process to integrate Sustainable Development at the department level and contribute to its impact.

IMPACT PATHWAYS AND ROADMAPS FRAMEWORK FOR SD

Having completed the development of the DECODE Toolkit (watch the previous webinar), the next step of the project was to develop:

A framework for generic Impact Pathways that university departments can use to advance their contributions to sustainability.
A framework for the creation of department-specific Impact Roadmaps (based on one of the generic Pathways) to outline the specific steps to be taken by departments to promote positive change.

With this aim, a series of activities were developed lead by UNINA, colead by RTU, and with the support of all project partners:

A1. Impact Pathways knowledge base

In order to integrate the latest knowledge on situational factors influencing the number of Pathways to be created and the stages in each Pathways, a literature review and Internet research was conducted. In addition, 7 interviews with experts were conducted to benefit from best practice cases.

A2. Impact Pathways design workshop

The design workshops followed an agile development approach to develop a preliminary description of the Pathways. The “milestone document” resulting from the 3-hour workshop was sent for feedback to the other consortium partners.

A3. Allocation of instruments to the pathways steps created in A2

The members of the consortium partners allocated the instruments to the steps.

The instrument-step matching process is performed remotely via a visual platform and discussed in virtual meetings to finalize the output.

A4. DECODE Impact Roadmap development tool

Implementation of an online tool visualizing the allocation of instruments and pathway steps to be integrated into the DECODE platform. Such Tool enables users to design their individual department Impact Roadmap. At least 5 DECODE Council members will test the tool and provide feedback. To date, UNINA is organizing the testing activities with the experts.

A5. Impact Pathways and Impact Roadmap framework report

UNINA and RIGA will develop the framework report that will be available on the DECODE Council website to support Deans in their journey to design their own Impact Roadmaps.

NEXT STEPS

The European Deans Council for Sustainable Development has a clear pathway towards improving sustainability contributions in and through Higher Education. As the Impact Pathways are being finished up, we have already started working on the definition of the Empowerment Program that will help university departments advance their contributions to sustainability and will provide them the grounds to build their own department-specific Impact Roadmaps, which will outline the specific steps to be taken by departments to promote positive change.

Check out our Impact Vision Plan here.

OTHER RESOURCES

Blueprint For Council Establishment: Practical Guide
DECODE HEI Sustainability Analysis: Final Report
DECODE HEI Sustainability Analysis: Deans & Academics Survey Reports
DECODE HEI Sustainability Analysis: Literature Review

JOIN THE EUROPEAN DEANS COUNCIL!

In order to support deans in their efforts to embed Sustainable Development within HEIs, we are establishing a European Deans Council for Sustainable Development (DECODE).

You are invited to shape the foundation of the Council by joining the Deans Council as a founding member (free of charge).

Requirements:

Being an active dean or head of faculty, department, school of a Higher Education Institution in Europe.
Being a representative appointed by the dean or head of faculty, department or school of a Higher Education Institution in Europe to drive Sustainable Development at the management level of the academic unit.

Information about the DECODE Council and organization and policies can be found in the DECODE Deans Council Statute and Council Policies and Procedures here: