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ATU Launches Education for Sustainable Development Academy
Atlantic Technological University has launched the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Academy, an initiative aimed at integrating sustainability across learning environments.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has launched the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Academy, an initiative aimed at integrating sustainability across learning environments.
The ESD Academy, supported by Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) funding from the Higher Education Authority and the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, aligns with the National ESD Strategy to 2030. It focuses on key priority areas, including transforming learning environments, building educator capacity, mobilising young people, and accelerating local-level actions.
Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, said the launch of ESD ensures sustainability remains a core priority for the university: “ATU is committed to embedding sustainability across all aspects of university life, from teaching and research to operations and community engagement. Sustainability is one of the guiding lights of our Strategic Plan, and the launch of the ESD Academy highlights how we can deliver meaningful change through education. I also want to acknowledge the funding from the HEA, through the SATLE initiative, which has been a wonderful enabler for the Academy.”
The ESD Academy is built on a 6Cs framework—Curriculum, Campus, Community, Collaborative Research, Culture, and Care—ensuring an action-oriented approach to sustainability, climate action, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A range of programmes and learning opportunities will be available through the academy, including a Postgraduate Certificate on Education for Sustainability, a Level 6 Certificate on the SDGs, open courses on ‘Education for Sustainability’ and ‘Embedding the SDGs across the Curriculum,’ Carbon Literacy training, Climate Fresk workshops, and the Radical Sustainability Lab.
Dr Mark Kelly, Head of ATU’s Centre for Sustainability, said: “I believe that this initiative demonstrates ATU’s commitment to embedding sustainability across the curriculum in a holistic way and provides an opportunity to build further capacity across our nine campuses, who are already doing some fantastic work. More importantly, it demonstrates to our students that ATU will play a leadership role in education for sustainability and the SDGs.”
Dr Carina Ginty, Head of Teaching and Learning at ATU, added: “At the heart of our ATU Curriculum Framework is Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and ESD is crucial in learning, teaching and assessment, as it equips both students and staff with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary to contribute to a sustainable future.”
Learn more about the ATU ESD Academy at https://www.atu.ie/about/teaching-and-learning/education-for-sustainability
Photo caption:(L-R) ATU ESD Academy team – Dr Mark Kelly (Centre for Sustainability), Dr John Scahill (ESD Academic Developer at T&L Centre), Dr Carina Ginty (Teaching and Learning Centre) and Dr Orla Flynn (ATU President)
