Engaging sustainability good practice within the curriculum design and property portfolio in the Australian higher education sector

Poon, J

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this research is to evaluate the extent which university’s strategic plans affect the level
of incorporation of sustainability within the curriculum design and property portfolio.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopted a case study approach. The case study institution was Deakin University in
Australia. This paper used a qualitative research method. Desk-top study included the review of
the University’s Strategic Plan, policy agenda on sustainability and the documents on sustainability
courses and units. Semi-structured interviews were held with academics who have course
development and management responsibility within the university, colleagues who have a
sustainability-focused role on estate management and colleagues whose roles are to manage
sustainability initiatives at institution level. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Content
analysis was used to analyse the interview data.
Findings
Despite the University having a clear strategic aims and initiatives on the incorporation of
sustainability within curriculum design and property portfolio, there is disconnection between policy
development and policy implementation. As a result, the incorporation of sustainability varies
largely between curricula within the institution. The incorporation of sustainability within the
property portfolio is clear and effective. However, within the curriculum it is polarised. The level of
incorporation depends on the nature of the course or unit and is largely driven by the initiatives of
the individual academic.
Good practice identified in the incorporation of sustainability within the curriculum is to use a
problem-based approach supported by real life projects to enhance the students’ authentic
learning experience. The good practice for successfully incorporating sustainability into the
property portfolio is to have clear vision of what it has planned to achieve and to ensure there is a
balance between sustainability and value for money.
Originality/value
This is pioneering research to investigate the incorporation of sustainability into higher education
in a more comprehensive way. This paper considered the impact of strategic planning on the
incorporation of sustainability within a higher education, on both curriculum design and property
portfolio management.

Citation

Poon, J. (2017). Engaging sustainability good practice within the curriculum design and property portfolio in the Australian higher education sector. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 18(1), 146-162. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-09-2015-0149

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Conference Name: European Real Estate Society (ERES) 21st Annual Conference
• Conference Location: Bucharest, Romania
• Start Date: Jun 25, 2014
• End Date: Jun 28, 2014
• Acceptance Date: May 26, 2016
• Publication Date: Jan 5, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jul 3, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 27, 2017
• Journal: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
• Print ISSN: 1467-6370
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 146-162
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-09-2015-0149
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-09-2015-0149
• Related Public URLs: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/ijshe
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference; Funders : Funder not known