- Aston University has been accredited for embedding sustainable development in its teaching and learning through the Responsible Futures framework
- Responsible Futures is run by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS)
- Students trained by SOS conduct audits of their own institutions.
Aston University has been successfully audited by its own students for creating an environment for embedding sustainability into its teaching and learning.
The Responsible Futures framework is a whole-institution approach to embedding social responsibility and sustainability across the formal and informal curriculum in further and higher education. It is a support change programme and accreditation mark that works to put sustainability at the heart of student learning.
The Responsible Futures programme is run by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS). The framework facilitates a close working partnership between students’ unions and their institutions through a set of criteria drawn from good practice across the sector.
The programme consists of students conducting audits of their own institution and students' union which are then benchmarked against a set of sustainability criteria compiled by SOS. Accreditations are awarded and remain valid for two years.
Andrew Bryers, sustainability manager at Aston University, said:
“This accreditation shows that Aston University has been working to embed sustainable development including corporate social responsibility and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals into its teaching and learning. This work has been led by colleagues from all colleges, internal departments including our estates team and the students’ union.”
Nathalie Ormrod, Aston University's PRME (United Nation's Principles for Responsible Management Education) director, added:
"Students are increasingly at the forefront of sustainability thinking and action; they are tomorrow's sustainability decision and policy makers, hence their invaluable role in terms of shaping higher education curricula and research."
- Notes to Editors
Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Alec Cameron is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.
Aston University was named University of the Year 2020 by The Guardian and the University’s full time MBA programme has been ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking. The Aston MBA has been ranked 12th in the UK and 85th in the world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Rebecca Hume, Press and Communications Manager,
on 07557 745416 or email r.hume@aston.ac.ukBe first to get the latest news, research and expert comment from Aston by following us on Twitter
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