Slide show on my research proposal on Sustainable University (with LSBU as the key case study) titled 'Sustainable University as a winning brand: An integrated programme of education, communication and research – a case study in LSBU (London South Bank University).'

1. Sustainable University as a winning brand: An integrated programme of education, communication and research – a case study in LSBU Asitha I. Jayawardena MSc1, Mphil2, BSc Eng (Hons)3, CAE 1 Education for Sustainability, 2 Sustainable buildings, 3 Civil Engineering http://www.aij.t83.net, asitha_jayawardena@yahoo.com An outline proposal for a Research Programme or a PhD Studentship January 2011

2. Note: This proposal seeks funding for the implementation of this Sustainable University research study, preferably at a university in the UK. This particular version of the proposal has London South Bank University (LSBU) as the in-depth case study to illustrate how the proposed study will be carried out, building around the sustainability strengths and potential of the in-depth case study university. The preferred time frame is 2 to 4 years

3. Contents Overview 1 Introduction 2 The problem 3 The research study 4 Planned outputs 5 Potential further developments 6 Concluding remarks References Appendix A: Logo of Sustainable University B: Sustainable University One-stop Shop website (sample with LSBU as in-depth case study) C: Profile: Asitha I. Jayawardena

4. Overview Aim: to develop an integrated programme of education, communication and research for universities striving to grow as Sustainable Universities A qualitative evaluative case study with some action research Comprises four phases Sustainable University model from three leverage standpoints: Organisational performance Knowledge stewardship Community leadership Will generate both primary data and secondary data Presentation of findings focusing: Universities in general: a website and a guidance booklet LSBU: a case-study report, a set of education/communication tools (including a website) and a dissemination workshop Further development potential: a Sustainable University consultancy service Note: Preferred time frame 2 to 4 years

5. 1 Introduction Sustainable development is becoming increasingly important Education, particularly higher education, has a critical role to play Universities contribute to wider society’s sustainability endeavour positively and negatively Universities can and should play their lead role in sustainability Universities can reap benefits too Sustainability is a grave responsibility and an attractive opportunity for universities How can we make a university a Sustainable University?

6. 2 The problem The problem: How to make a university a Sustainable University using its existing strengths and potential? Locate university in its social and ecological context: A university is an organisation A university is a knowledge organisation A university is a responsible member in its community So a university is a responsible knowledge organisation operating in a wider community which in turn exists in an environment In its Sustainable University endeavour, it will encounter challenges and opportunities in three domains: Organisation Knowledge Community

7. The problem (contd...) Challenges and opportunities – ‘Organisation’: Attraction to ‘short-sightedness’ in adverse economic climate for focusing on core functions as sustainability benefits are long-term Winning support and involvement of whole university community Sustainability research and expertise as a way out of financial crisis Sustainability contests for image building (e.g. Green Gown, Green League) Various sustainability benefits: cost savings, rallying all around vision and mission

8. The problem (contd...) Challenges and opportunities – ‘Knowledge’: Producing sustainability-oriented graduates Students’ motivation on financially-stable employment in adverse economic climate Complex nature of sustainability issues, requiring holistic or interdisciplinary solutions Internal organisation of universities being dependant on discrete areas of expertise Ineffectiveness of teaching sustainability knowledge to generate pro-sustainability behaviour Rising demand for sustainability graduates in response to government's drive for a low carbon economy Emergence of interdisciplinary sustainability research

9. The problem (contd...) Challenges and opportunities – ‘Community’: Burden of social responsibility to steward sustainability knowledge Maintenance of an ethical balance in research/ consultancy priorities External world’s perception of a university as being relatively neutral, removing barriers to partnerships

10. 3 Research study Objective: To offer universities a practical outline programme that will guide them in their respective endeavours to develop as Sustainable Universities Research question : How can a university develop into a Sustainable University using its existing sustainability strengths and potential? Methodology: qualitative evaluative case study with some action research element Data generation: Primary (questionnaires and interviews ) Secondary (document methods) Research plan: four phases

12. Development of an integrated pilot Sustainable University programme of education, communication and research

13. Piloting a selection of its education/communication tools

14. Development of a Sustainable University Programme for LSBUAuxiliary case studies at other universities Phase 4 Development of a Sustainable University Programme (SUP)

15. Research study (contd...) Development of a Sustainable University model: Three pillars: Organisation, Knowledge and Community In-depth case study in LSBU: Evaluation of sustainability potential and performance of LSBU Development of a pilot Sustainable University programme of education, communication and research, linking LSBU’s big sustainability dots: Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in Buildings or CEREB (organisation) Education for Sustainability (EfS) Programme (knowledge) London Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on ESD (community) Sustainable Development Group (overall) Piloting a selection of its education/communication tools Development of a Sustainable University Programme for LSBU

16. Research study (contd...) Development of a Sustainable University Programme: Education Communication Research

17. Research study (contd...) Sustainable University Programme’s strategy - likely elements: Three pillars: Organisational performance Knowledge stewardship Community engagement Integration of education, communication and research Synthesis of scientific and cultural knowledge Bringing internal and external stakeholders into a positive relationship Participatory engagement in an all-win environment Gradual but continuous improvement

18. Research study (contd...) Sustainable University Programme – likely elements: Organisation: A Sustainable University Council/Group Efficiency (energy, water, materials, waste, processes) Ecological sustainability (emissions, environmental impact) Sustainable procurement (Fairtrade, sustainable suppliers, local suppliers) Sustainable skills development for staff Sustainable travel and transport (staff and students) Sustainability champions (internal drivers) Knowledge: Embedding sustainability across the higher education curriculum Interdisciplinary course programmes on sustainability (e.g. BSc in Sustainability) Interdisciplinary research on sustainability Sustainability knowledge hub with an academic focus Community: Sustainability brand ambassadors (students and staff) Sustainability knowledge hub with a community focus Community engagement in sustainability-related areas with local community, business, state, civil society, universities

19. 4 Planned outputs

20. 5 Potential further developments This study offers in–depth case study university (i.e. LSBU) potential to extend it into a Sustainable University Consultancy service for UK universities either as: A Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, or A revenue generation means, or A blend of both Composition of such a consultancy service: Advice Communications

21. 6 Concluding remarks Sustainability is becoming mainstream in society and universities are facing state funding restrictions In this context, sustainability is a long-term necessity and an attractive opportunity for universities This study will provide universities an integrated Sustainable University (SU) programme of education, communication and research as an initial guide in their respective SU endeavours The study involves an in-depth case study (in LSBU) and auxiliary case studies in several other universities It will be beneficial to universities in general It will be even more beneficial to in-depth case study university (i.e. LSBU), in particular to develop a winning university brand and a Sustainable University consultancy service It will place the in-depth case study university (i.e. LSBU) at the forefront of the fast-growing Sustainable University movement in the UK

22. App A: Sustainable University logo The meaning of ‘Sustainable University’ logo: Green S is for sustainability in general and ecological sustainability in particular. Blue circle represents Earth – the blue planet. The ‘U’ in the blue circle represents University. Word ‘sustainable’ in ‘cursive’ form reflects flexibility and the adaptability to local needs, priorities, circumstances, etc. The three colours (green, red and blue): Represent ecology, people and economy, respectively Reflect diversity UNIVERSITY in solid blue box is the solid foundation for humankind’s endeavour for sustainability.

23. App B: Sustainable University One-stop Shop website (sample with LSBU as in-depth case study) Home About News & Blog Sustainability Careers Sustainable University Sustainability in action Organisational Performance Knowledge Stewardship Community Leadership Useful Resources Journals, Books, Articles & Reports Websites, Blogs & Social Networking Events & Celebrations Funding & Support http://www.sustainableuni.kk5.org/

24. App C: Profile: AsithaJayawardena Asitha I. Jayawardena MSc, MPhil, BSc Eng (Hons), CAE http://www.aij.t83.net, asitha_jayawardena@yahoo.com Education and Training MSc in Education for Sustainability (with Distinction) (07/2009), London South Bank University, UK MPhil in Sustainable Buildings (05/2002), University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka BSc Eng (Hons) in Civil Engineering (12/1998), University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) (12/1992)

25. App C: Profile (contd...) Employment and Assignments Current: Distance Learning Tutor, Education for Sustainability (EfS) MSc programme, LSBU Sustainability Communications Intern: London Environmental Education Forum (LEEF) London RCE on ESD EfS programme, LSBU Blogger/Online communicator: Sustainable University, http://www.sustainableuni.blogspot.com/ Sustainable Business Builder, http://www.sustainablebusinessbuilder.blogspot.com Sustainability Notes, http://asitha-j.livejournal.com Previous: UK: Sustainability Communications Intern, Leisurevest Ltd Guest Editor, Indicator (www.indicator.org.uk), e-Journal of EfS programme, LSBU Sri Lanka: Self-study course material writer on Buildings for Sustainable Development, University of Moratuwa Communications Consultant, Holcim (Lanka) Ltd Temporary Lecturer, English Language Teaching Centre, University of Moratuwa, Freelance writer, columnist and poet

26. App C: Profile (contd...) Achievements and Awards Research Seven refereed research publications EOE Pereira Memorial Award (2002) from the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (co-author) Structures Exposed, No Maths Of Course! Book produced after a research project on ‘Understanding of Structural Behaviour’ at University of Moratuwa Sustainability communication/education Websites: http://www.londonrce.kk5.org for London RCE on ESD, UK (design and content) http://www.pristinekilifi.com for Leisurevest Ltd, UK (selected content) http://www1.lsbu.ac.uk/ahs/departments/education/efs(content) & http://www.efslsbu.moonfruit.com (design and content) for EfS programme of LSBU http://www.sustainablebusinessbuilder.blogspot.com, my blog ‘Sustainable Business Builder’ http://www.indicator.org.uk for EfS programme of LSBU: nine articles on sustainability http://asitha-j.livejournal.com, my blog ‘Sustainability Notes’ Newsletters: Sustainable London Learning, PDF newsletter for London RCE LEEFlet, PDF newsletter for London Environmental Education Forum (LEEF) Holcim Lanka News, Holcim Voice and Holcim Fund News (33 issues of 3 print newsletters) and Holcim Fund News (5 issues of a PDF newsletter) for Holcim (Lanka) Ltd PDF booklets: A profit-making sustainable business for a sustainable London for London RCE Buildings for Sustainable Development for University of Moratuwa Articles in the National Press in Sri Lanka: 141 articles (80 on sustainability/science/engineering, 61 general/humour) & ‘Mind Mirror’ column (http://www.asitha-published-writing.moonfruit.com) Two special awards from Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka for promoting Structural Engineering in the Press Arts and branding Logo and colour scheme for London RCE Online photo stream, http://www.flickr.com/photos/aij3/ 98 poems in the Press in Sri Lanka & 7 on www.poetry.com First Place at 150th Anniversary Art Exhibition of Royal Collegeand Art Prizes of Year 9 and Year 7 (Sri Lanka)

27. Thank you. http://www.sustainableuni.kk5.org http://www.sustainableuni.blogspot.com/ http://twitter.com/sustainableuni1 Asitha I. Jayawardena http://www.aij.t83.net asitha_jayawardena@yahoo.com