In the face of increasing conflict and uncertainty, there is a growing movement within and beyond the academy to assess the current assumptions underlying knowledge production and learning in higher education. In this seminar, we will reflect upon the role of the university to promote transformative change, and share specific examples that demonstrate possibilities for the university to inspire critical reflection, evaluative judgement, and self-examination.

What is the role of the university? Depending on who you ask, you will receive just as many answers. In its Strategic Plan (2017-2026), Lund University states “[t]he organisation is to safeguard democracy, legality, impartiality, freedom of opinion, respect for the equal value of all human beings, efficiency and service as well as democratic principles, human rights, and freedoms.” Within the context of higher education, what approaches are used to both demonstrate these values as well as equip students to be capable of the same in their professional and civic responsibilities?

During the seminar, we will:

• Explore assumptions and expectations within higher education
• Introduce and discuss transformative learning as a concept
• Consider its relevance in our teaching practice
• Share examples and actions to support students’ learning, in the context of transformative change
• Discuss other roles the university shall play in society

The seminar will invite contributions from the following speakers:

Lisette van Beek

Lisette is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Utrecht University in the project “The university in a changing climate: new directions for transformative learning”. She explores the problematic assumptions and expectations within higher education, advocating for deep transformative change. For example, she highlights the Urban Futures Studio, which engages in action-oriented and transdisciplinary research at the interface of science and society.

Martina Oxling

Martina is currently a Strategy Consultant in Community Development at Sweden’s PE Teknik & Arkitektur. Formerly, she was the project manager of the Sustainable Futures Hub at the Lund University School of Economics and Management (LUSEM). She will share the initiative “Living the Sustainability Idea”, a voluntary track offered to students in MSc International Strategic Management and MSc in Management at LUSEM. The track challenged students to consider their own individual abilities to affect change at the local, national, and global level, anchored by the Inner Development Goals.

The event is moderated by Terese Thoni, Educational Coordinator at the Lund University Sustainability Forum. The seminar is hybrid, conducted in English.

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Registration

Both onsite and online participation is possible. Please indicate your preferred venue for participation at the time of registration. A Zoom link will be provided to those that register to attend online. Registration is open until Tuesday 14 May. For late registration, contact terese.thoni@cec.lu.se.

Visit the registration page – forms.microsoft.com

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Audience

This seminar is intended for anyone at Lund University. Others are welcome, but priority will be given to those with existing teaching assignments at Lund University.

Venue

The seminar is hybrid. The seminar will take place in Geocentrum I, Gotland. The entrance is located Sölvegatan 10. Upon entering, signage will be visible directing you to the room location. For those attending online, the Zoom link will be shared upon registration. 

Get directions to the venue - maps.google.com

About the Organisers

The seminar is organised as part of the initiative Teaching for Sustainability. We aim to support educators, by developing and organising pedagogical coursework, training opportunities, workshops, expert-led seminars, and other inspiration-rich resources. Our ultimate goal is to foster a culture that enriches the educational experience for both educators and students that meaningfully advances sustainability.

Learn more about the Initiative – lu.se

We invite those interested to join our growing Community of Practice – we engage and empower members to explore real approaches to integrate sustainability into their teaching practice. Regularly, we host an inspiration or social event, bringing together the community. Anyone can become a member – the extent of your engagement is entirely up to you.

Join us on Microsoft Teams – teams.microsoft.com

The initiative Teaching for Sustainability is a cooperation between the Lund University Sustainability Forum, the Division of Higher Education Development (AHU), and the Centre for Engineering Education (CEE). 

Sustainability Forum - lu.se 
Division for Higher Education Development (AHU) - lu.se
LTH Centre for Engineering Education - lu.se