Sustainability Teaching Network
Are you currently teaching sustainability or are interested in learning more about it?
Both academic and professional staff are welcome to join the new Sustainability Teaching Network, a community of staff who are intrigued to learn more about what is going on in this space and what might be possible in the future.
Network meetings will be held monthly via Zoom. Each meeting will feature two staff members sharing their teaching practice, breakout group discussions, and updates on any relevant opportunities.
For general enquires, please email: stn@auckland.ac.nz
Regular meetings
Meetings for the STN will be every two months for the rest of 2024.
Please feel free to share this seminar information and meeting link around your networks. We look forward to seeing you at the seminar.
Friday 26 July, 1 – 2pm
Dr Alessandro Premier on teamwork strategies and Dr Dan Tisch on teaching climate change at scale.
Friday 20 September, 1 – 2pm
Assoc. Professor Jamie Gillen on teaching climate change and sustainability in Global Studies and Dr Wender Martins on sustainable practices with real-world business cases.
Friday 15 November, 1 – 2pm
Prompts for presenters
Members of the network are encouraged to present, but this is not compulsory.
- What key concepts do you teach?
- What do you hope your students are learning?
- How do you conduct yourself as a teacher?
- How do you approach assessment?
- What do you find challenging?
- Do you want to try something new?
Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable World
In between our regular meetings we invite you to join us for the Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable World seminar series.
September presentations
Jamie Gillen: Confessions of an interested novice: Teaching climate change and sustainability in Global Studies
My enthusiasm for the topics of climate change and sustainability clashes with my lack of expertise in them. This conundrum becomes a teaching issue because Global Studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau has a vibrant Global Environment and Sustainable Development major stream and many of our students are involved in climate action. In this presentation I outline how I address the above tensions by sharing some “in progress” strategies from my lectures in the Introduction to Global Studies paper, focused on the subject of tourism. By disclosing my weak knowledge of the subjects I hope to facilitate a conversation with colleagues about the role of co-learning about climate change and sustainability in a classroom setting.
Bio: Jamie Gillen is associate professor and former director of Global Studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau. Trained as a geographer, he teaches about sustainability issues in Global Studies and in Sustain 200 at the university.
Wender Martins: Teaching by Example: Navigating Sustainable Practices with Real-world Business Cases
Wender and his capstone students explore the diverse aspects of sustainability through partnerships with New Zealand firms that have made sustainable practices a core strategic principle. In this talk, he discusses how practical consulting projects within two postgraduate programs have allowed students to engage directly with these real-world cases, deepening their understanding of the various challenges faced by organisations striving to be sustainable. Drawing from his recent experiences with two B Corp-certified New Zealand organisations, Wender shares both the effective teaching strategies implemented and the obstacles encountered. This session aims to provide insights into enhancing student learning about sustainability and inspire new approaches to teaching sustainable practices.
Bio: Dr. Wender Martins began his academic journey at the UoA’s Business School, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his time in industry and as a sustainability-focused entrepreneur. Before transitioning into academia, Wender worked in multiple Marketing, communications and consulting roles, where he developed a deep understanding of sustainable business practices and the challenges organisations face in integrating sustainability into their strategies and internal processes.
At the Business School, Wender teaches a variety of courses focused on practical, hands-on learning. In his postgraduate capstone courses, he leads students through real-world consulting projects with New Zealand firms, helping them navigate complex growth and sustainability challenges while applying theoretical concepts to real-world situations. At the undergraduate level, he teaches design thinking and innovation, encouraging creative problem-solving and fostering a mindset oriented toward innovation and sustainable practices.
Wender’s approach to teaching is shaped by his professional experience, focusing on bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world practice. His recent work with B Corp-certified companies and other sustainability-driven organisations informs his teaching capstone methods, providing students with insights into how businesses and other organisations can thrive while prioritising sustainable practices.