Sustainability Teaching Network
Network seminars will be held via Zoom. Each meeting will feature two staff members sharing their teaching practice, breakout group discussions, and updates on any relevant opportunities.
* UoA staff login required.
Regular seminars
Friday 16 May 2025, 1–2.30pm (1.5h)
B423 Room 340 (423-340)
Developing a Curriculum for Sustainability Advocates
At a workshop run as part of the Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable World project, it was decided to hold a series of workshops to develop a curriculum that would develop sustainability advocates. A series of three workshops was held over three weeks. Thirteen people came with the aim of contributing to the development of a curriculum. The outcome is a set of cards that educators can use in a variety of ways to nurture learners’ sustainability competencies. During the seminar, the development team will share the process they followed in developing the curriculum, present the cards and talk about how the team decided to format them.
You will then have the opportunity to work in a small group with the cards, thinking and discussing how you might use them in your teaching. An opportunity for sharing your ideas will conclude the seminar.
Contributors:
Sally Birdsall, Niki Harré, Daniel Kelly, Jeffrey Holdaway, Joe Fagan, Alys Longley, Jacqueline Beggs, Febelyn Reguyal, Andrea Kolb, Gigi Lim, Hanoku Bathula, Farrah Jebeen, Lance Cablk and Penelope Thomas
Friday 8 August 2025, 1–2pm
*UoA staff login required.
Social Theory for Sustainability
In this talk Karly Burch shares how she teaches sustainability in sociology, offering practical tools for colleagues in any discipline to bring social aspects of sustainability into their classrooms.
Dr Karly Burch (she/her) is a sociology lecturer at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Her research spans science and technology studies, agrifood, and nuclear studies, focusing on topics like nuclear waste and AI in agriculture. She holds a PhD from Otago, an MSc in agroecology, and a BA in global studies.
The Environmental Engineering Labs
Patricia Cabedo Sanz and Jishan Liu describe how their labs earned My Green Lab certification, boosting sustainability scores from 71% to 84%. They’ll share small, practical changes—from better recycling to equipment shut-off routines—and what’s involved in keeping labs green, including the My Green Lab Freezer Challenge.
Patricia is a Senior Technologist (PhD, Environmental Chemistry) skilled in analytical techniques and supporting research on pollutants. Jishan, Technologist (PhD, Civil Engineering), specialises in liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and manages safe lab operations.
Friday 3 October 2025, 1–2pm
More info to follow
Join the STN Organising Committee
We invite you to join our team and contribute your expertise and enthusiasm. Your involvement would be invaluable in shaping our network and making impactful decisions.
Benefits of joining
- Community impact: Positively influence the teaching community.
- Professional development: Enhance leadership, project management, and organisational skills.
- Recognition: Receive recognition for your contributions.
- Personal growth: Experience personal satisfaction and growth by supporting a meaningful cause.
How to get involved
If you’re interested or have questions, please contact us at stn@auckland.ac.nz.
Call for presenters
We welcome presentations on a wide range of sustainability-related topics, including:
- Sustainable curriculum development
- Teaching strategies for sustainability
- Integrating sustainability into disciplines (case studies)
- Student engagement and experiential learning
- Assessment methods
- Industry partnerships in teaching and learning
Focus for 2025: External engagement and collaboration
Share your experiences integrating industry and community collaborations into sustainability-focused courses.
Why present?
- Visibility: Showcase your expertise to a diverse audience.
- Networking: Connect with like-minded professionals.
- Contribution: Advance sustainability education and inspire others.
How to participate
Email the organisers (stn@auckland.ac.nz) with your topic and availability.
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.