University of Exeter's sustainability teaching earns global recognition

The University of Exeter has finished runner-up in a global education campaign to embed sustainability across university teaching.

Exeter placed second in this year’s SDG Teach-In, a month-long initiative coordinated by SOS-UK (Students Organising for Sustainability) that challenges educators to include the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their teaching, learning and assessment.

The 2024 campaign ran throughout March and involved 94 institutions across 17 countries, reaching more than 120,000 learners worldwide.

At Exeter, students and staff took part in a wide-ranging programme of activity - from sustainability careers talks and flood management workshops to climate research seminars and a clothes swap with Behind the Seams.

There was also a Q&A with the Environment Agency, a keynote by Professor James Dyke, and a seminar hosted by the Global Systems Institute covering the latest findings in climate science.

Joanna Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability at the University of Exeter, said: “I am delighted Exeter came second in this year's SDG Teach-In for the number of students reached – thank you to everyone who took part.

“The Teach-In is a great way of raising awareness of the SDGs and builds on our work with Responsible Futures to further embed them in our curriculum.”

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals form part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They include targets related to poverty, health, education, climate action, and the protection of oceans and forests.

The campaign invites educators to sign up and commit to delivering teaching that supports and reflects these goals. Over 1,000 educators made the pledge during this year’s event.