PapersFlow Research Brief
Higher Education and Sustainability
Research Guide
What is Higher Education and Sustainability?
Higher Education and Sustainability is the integration of sustainable development principles, including University Social Responsibility, into higher education institutions to promote social innovation, quality education, teacher training, educational management, and community engagement.
This field encompasses 41,073 works exploring University Social Responsibility and its implementation in universities. Key topics include sustainability, social innovation, teacher training, and sustainable development. Universities play a central role in fostering social responsibility and community engagement.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
University Social Responsibility Frameworks
This sub-topic develops models for integrating social responsibility into university missions, covering governance and stakeholder engagement. Researchers survey global implementations and barriers.
Sustainability Integration in Higher Education
This sub-topic examines curriculum embedding, campus operations, and assessment tools for sustainable development goals in universities. Researchers evaluate long-term outcomes via case studies.
Social Innovation in University Settings
This sub-topic studies incubators, partnerships, and pedagogy fostering entrepreneurial solutions to social problems within higher education. Researchers measure impact on community outcomes.
Teacher Training for Sustainable Education
This sub-topic focuses on professional development programs equipping faculty with competencies for sustainability-focused teaching. Researchers assess changes in pedagogical practices.
Quality Assurance in Sustainable Higher Education
This sub-topic explores accreditation standards and metrics incorporating social responsibility and sustainability performance. Researchers compare national systems and propose indicators.
Why It Matters
Higher education institutions advance sustainability by committing to sustainable development goals, as shown in a worldwide survey where implementation varies across regions (Lozano et al. (2014) in "A review of commitment and implementation of sustainable development in higher education: results from a worldwide survey"). Barriers such as organizational resistance hinder progress, affecting innovation and sustainability efforts globally (Veiga Ávila et al. (2017) in "Barriers to innovation and sustainability at universities around the world"). In Portugal, exploratory studies identify roles and challenges for sustainable higher education institutions, influencing policy and practices in educational management (Aleixo, Leal, and Azeiteiro (2016) in "Conceptualization of sustainable higher education institutions, roles, barriers, and challenges for sustainability: An exploratory study in Portugal"). These efforts support quality assurance and institutional competitiveness in sustainable development.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"A review of commitment and implementation of sustainable development in higher education: results from a worldwide survey" by Lozano et al. (2014), as it provides a broad empirical foundation from a global survey, ideal for understanding baseline commitment levels.
Key Papers Explained
Lozano et al. (2014) in "A review of commitment and implementation of sustainable development in higher education: results from a worldwide survey" establishes global commitment levels, which Velázquez et al. (2006) in "Sustainable university: what can be the matter?" builds on by defining sustainable university elements. Aleixo, Leal, and Azeiteiro (2016) in "Conceptualization of sustainable higher education institutions, roles, barriers, and challenges for sustainability: An exploratory study in Portugal" refines this with regional roles and barriers, while Veiga Ávila et al. (2017) in "Barriers to innovation and sustainability at universities around the world" expands to worldwide obstacles, connecting to Husted and Allen (2006) strategic approaches in corporate social responsibility.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Current frontiers focus on addressing barriers identified in Veiga Ávila et al. (2017) and regional conceptualizations from Aleixo et al. (2016), with no recent preprints available to indicate shifts.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A review of commitment and implementation of sustainable devel... | 2014 | Journal of Cleaner Pro... | 1.0K | ✕ |
| 2 | Corporate social responsibility in the multinational enterpris... | 2006 | Journal of Internation... | 834 | ✕ |
| 3 | Sustainable university: what can be the matter? | 2006 | Journal of Cleaner Pro... | 800 | ✕ |
| 4 | Conceptualization of sustainable higher education institutions... | 2016 | Journal of Cleaner Pro... | 442 | ✕ |
| 5 | Social and Environmental Responsibility in Small and Medium En... | 2006 | Journal of Corporate C... | 389 | ✕ |
| 6 | Competencias Docentes del Profesorado Universitario | 2015 | — | 376 | ✕ |
| 7 | Innovacion disruptiva para el cambio social | 2006 | Harvard business review | 367 | ✕ |
| 8 | Barriers to innovation and sustainability at universities arou... | 2017 | Journal of Cleaner Pro... | 315 | ✕ |
| 9 | The International Academic Profession: Portraits of Fourteen C... | 1997 | — | 314 | ✕ |
| 10 | Investigación cualitativa y análisis de contenido temático. Or... | 2018 | Revista General de Inf... | 291 | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the extent of sustainable development commitment in higher education?
A worldwide survey revealed varying levels of commitment and implementation of sustainable development in higher education institutions. Results highlighted differences across regions in policy adoption and practices. Lozano et al. (2014) documented these findings in over 300 institutions.
What barriers exist to sustainability in universities?
Universities worldwide face barriers to innovation and sustainability, including lack of funding, resistance to change, and policy gaps. Veiga Ávila et al. (2017) identified these in a global study of higher education. Addressing them requires targeted institutional strategies.
How is sustainability conceptualized in higher education institutions?
Sustainable higher education institutions involve specific roles, barriers, and challenges, as explored in Portugal. Aleixo, Leal, and Azeiteiro (2016) outlined conceptualization through stakeholder perspectives. This framework aids implementation of sustainability practices.
What defines a sustainable university?
A sustainable university addresses environmental, social, and economic matters through integrated actions. Velázquez et al. (2006) questioned core elements in "Sustainable university: what can be the matter?". It requires holistic approaches beyond compliance.
What role does corporate social responsibility play in higher education?
Corporate social responsibility in multinational enterprises informs university social responsibility strategies. Husted and Allen (2006) analyzed strategic and institutional approaches. This applies to higher education for enhancing sustainability efforts.
How does teacher training relate to sustainability?
Teacher competencies in universities link to sustainability through training in social responsibility. Lomelí (2015) examined these in "Competencias Docentes del Profesorado Universitario". Such training supports sustainable educational management.
Open Research Questions
- ? What specific strategies overcome barriers to sustainability implementation in diverse higher education contexts, as noted in global surveys?
- ? How can universities balance institutional competitiveness with social responsibility amid identified challenges?
- ? What measurable roles do faculty play in advancing sustainable development goals within higher education?
- ? How do regional differences affect the adoption of sustainable practices in universities?
- ? What frameworks best integrate social innovation into teacher training for sustainability?
Recent Trends
The field includes 41,073 works with no specified 5-year growth rate.
Influential papers from 2006-2018, such as Lozano et al. with 1017 citations, dominate citations.
2014No recent preprints or news coverage indicate stable focus on core themes like university social responsibility.
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