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Integrative Approaches to Sustainable Development at University Level pp 425–447Cite as

Working Together, Driven Apart: Reflecting on a Joint Endeavour to Address Sustainable Development Within a University

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Part of the book series: World Sustainability Series ((WSUSE))

Abstract

A holistic and transformational approach to Sustainable Development within a university requires systemic change and embraces new ways of working. Champions must challenge silo mentalities, develop new processes to encourage synergies across university functions, and strive to re-align systems and goals towards the common endeavour of sustainability. But how easy is this to achieve? It is well documented that working across disciplines presents challenges but forging a synergistic relationship between the environmental management function of Estates and an academic champion for ESD is not only logical but might be an easier place to explore how two roles can work together to achieve change. This paper provides a reflective account of such an alliance, outlining a joint endeavour to address sustainable development. An analysis is provided of those factors which impede such working and the different role tensions that make working together challenging. It will also consider the benefits of collaboration, as the perspectives from the operational and academic domains provide a broader context for understandings, access to different forums, an ability to tackle conflicting agendas together and an opportunity to genuinely effect change, providing mutual support through shared perseverance. The paper will conclude by questioning the extent to which progress made will endure, if the benefits of this synergy are not acknowledged by university leadership.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB, UK

    Chris Shiel

  2. Environment and Energy Manager Estates, Bournemouth University, Studland House (S501), Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NA, UK

    Amanda Williams

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  1. Chris Shiel
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  2. Amanda Williams
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Correspondence to Chris Shiel .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Environmental Science, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Passo Fundo University, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Luciana Brandli

  3. Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom

    Olga Kuznetsova

  4. Department of Business and Economics, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

    Arminda Maria Finisterra do Paço

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Shiel, C., Williams, A. (2015). Working Together, Driven Apart: Reflecting on a Joint Endeavour to Address Sustainable Development Within a University. In: Leal Filho, W., Brandli, L., Kuznetsova, O., Paço, A. (eds) Integrative Approaches to Sustainable Development at University Level. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10690-8_30

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