Integrating research and teaching on innovation for sustainable development

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to point out the necessity of implementing more appropriate approaches instead of the traditional single disciplinary approaches, in order to be able to cope with the ill-defined, highly complex problem of sustainable development in systems such as organizations or regions. Design/methodology/approach -Based on empirical data concerning expert and stakeholder preferences, it is argued that research and teaching on innovation for sustainability need to be both inter-and transdisciplinary. Findings -Here, the approach of transdisciplinary case studies, developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, allows appropriate integration of research and teaching activities and thus leads to mutual learning between the case study actors. Practical implications -In the second part of the paper, these conceptual considerations are illustrated with the so-called Erzherzog Johann case study, an integrative research and teaching project at the University of Graz. Originality/value -In the paper the very complex task to integrate research and teaching on sustainability-related innovation is described and illustrated with the first transdisciplinary case-study conducted in Austria according to the ETH approach.

Connecting Competences and Pedagogical Approaches for Sustainable Development in Higher Education: A Literature Review and Framework Proposal

“…ESD highlights the need for alternative and student-activating methods for teaching and learning [25,[62][63][64]. This is aimed at challenging students to participate actively, think critically, and reflect [65].…”

Learning about Sustainability—What Influences Students’ Self-Perceived Sustainability Actions after Undergraduate Education?

“…Students' learning can in a simplified way be described as following a linear path, so that the knowledge of facts that a person gains through studies or experience [11] develops into a deeper understanding and ability to act based on what has previously been learned [12]. When sustainability is integrated in education, students gain basic cognitive knowledge.…”

Use of Information and Communication Technology in Enhancing Teaching and Learning

“…The integration of teaching and research is becoming a key issue in higher education, not only in order to differentiate the character of universities from other teaching and learning institutions, but also in order to find ways to create the kind of knowledge needed in a world characterized by a turbulent environment and increasing change in daily life (Posch and Steiner, 2006). However, UiTM still far behind in on-line teaching and learning, online forum, tele-conferencing, etc.…”

“…However, UiTM still far behind in on-line teaching and learning, online forum, tele-conferencing, etc. According to Posch and Steiner (2006), they further emphasized that the role of innovators as 'navigators' and creative problem-solvers in business systems or any other regional system becomes crucial for the overall societal goal of sustainability, and therefore also for higher education and research. Hence, the integration of research and teaching can go a step further, by initiating intense interaction between academia and practitioners of the considered system.…”