Mainstreaming environmental sustainability education

Be empowered to act on the climate and ecological crisis.

As part of our commitment to Responsible Futures, the University of York aims to empower all staff and students to act on the climate and ecological crisis.

Here are examples of how different teams are mainstreaming environmental sustainability education.

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Sustainability at York

How to mainstream environmental sustainability education

Institutional

Education and training open to staff and students across the University. Find out about upcoming sustainability education and training events.

Courses

Programmes specialising in climate change, environment, or sustainability. Discover courses in the Department of Environment and Geography and beyond.

Placements

Almost all courses at York allow students to take a Placement Year or Year in Industry. Consider a placement year with a green twist.

Modules (elective)

Many programmes allow students to select a module outside their course with a focus on environmental sustainability. See our full electives listing.

Modules (optional)

Many students can choose a module with a focus on environmental sustainability from their programme. Search the module catalogue and see some highlights.

Courses with at least one core module focused on environment, climate or sustainability currently include BSc Environmental Science and BA Sociology. Check our prospectus pages and read about Societies and the Climate Crisis.

York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs)

Sustainability focused interdisciplinary modules that can be taken by students from almost any department as an elective. Find out about embedding a YIM in your programme.

Capstone projects

Some courses enable students to undertake sustainability-related independent research or project work - for example Emily’s Biology dissertation. Tell esay@york.ac.uk about your environmental sustainability dissertation projects.

Teaching sessions (lecture, seminar or workshop)

Many modules include environmental sustainability as a subtopic within a module, as an assessment topic or exam question, or as an enrichment. See what’s happening in education for the screen industries or request a Climate Fresk for your cohort.

Questions to consider when embedding sustainability

What does your discipline contribute to environmental sustainability research and practice?
What is the most effective way to reach all students?
What approaches to education allow you to engage heart, head and hands?

Find out more about upcoming staff and student opportunities and events.

Get in touch

To discuss support available for mainstreaming, contact Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY) via esay@york.ac.uk.

Contact us

Sustainability at York