What is a Sustainable Education?

Our aspiration is to equip our students with the knowledge, skills, values and attributes needed to work and live in a way that will bring about solutions to the urgent environmental, economic and social challenges that we face. We're working to embed Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into the Sheffield student experience, both within the formal curriculum and in their wider student experience while at Sheffield. In addition, as part of our Programme Level Approach to learning we have prioritised the following three areas.

INCLUSIVITY

The Equality Act 2010 identifies 9 protected characteristics these are  age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

The Royal Academy of Engineering Action Plan recognises the need for an inclusive workforce to meet the needs and values of the societies we serve. Embracing diverse perspectives enriches our collective performance, breaking down barriers and building key partnerships.

Accessibility - the design of buildings, environments, products, services and user interfaces which are broadly accessible to people with disabilities, older people, children and others. The rejection of the 'average' person, instead designing for a wide range of abilities and situations. Barrier free, easy & intuitive operation, error tolerant, flexible, tactile/visual contrasts, and safe.

Beware of Implicit bias - race and facial recognition systems, gender and voice recognition systems, skin tone and wearable tech, design for disability TED talk.

Designing with an inclusive view often delivers a better product for ALL people, unlocks you from norm-thinking and allows your creativity to flourish.

SUSTAINABILITY

The United Nations has identified 17 goals on global sustainable action covering; poverty, hunger, health, education, gender, water, energy, work, industry, inequality, cities, consumption, climate, life ( marine & land based), justice and partnerships.

Sustainable design needs you to think in a holistic way:

• life cycle analysis (from cradle to grave, such as mineral extraction, manufacturing, use and disposal e.g. indium)

• ensuring you are not creating a problem for future generations (e.g. micro plastics)

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in accepting the Paris accord in Dec 2015 invited the International Panel for Climate Change ( IPCC) to report on the impact of global warming of 1.5°C in 2018 ( SR15). Currently the UK has a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 68% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and is on a path to be a net zero economy by 2050. This is supported by a 10 point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.

EMPLOYABILITY

19% of the UK workforce are in the engineering sector, generating 23% of UK turnover (£1.23 trillion) , needing 124,000 engineers and technicians each year, with an annual shortfall of 59,000 engineering graduates and technicians to fill core engineering roles. Globally the UK ranks 14th in the Engineering Index, and is a fundamental driver of economic development and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.[2018 data]

The Careers Service and 301 - are both here to help you develop your skills as a Sheffield Graduate.

You should also be aware of the new skills portfolio to help build your CV.

The Year in Industry Team - here if you are considering an industrial placement, internship or a full year out.

Follow the Alumni  to see how previous gradates are pursuing their career.