Pilgrims Progress: the Slopes, Peaks and Sloughs of a Sustainability Policy Consultation Pilgrims Progress: the Slopes, Peaks and Sloughs of a Sustainability Policy Consultation Joanna Blake, Brian Chalkley, Fumiyo Kagawa & David Selby Centre for Sustainable Futures University of Plymouth Education for Sustainable Development Conference 10 July 2007 University of Bradford

Vision The transformation of the University of Plymouth from an institution characterised by significant areas of excellence in ESD to an institution modelling university-wide excellence and hence able to make a major contribution to ESD regionally, nationally and internationally.

Background Commitment to developing a University of Plymouth Sustainability Policy by May 2007 within the 2004 HEFCE Proposal for a Centre for Excellence in Teaching in Learning for Education for Sustainable Development (CETL ESD)

The 4Cs Model

Sustainability Policy and Action Plan Development: Background Research Collection and analysis of existing HEI Sustainability and Environmental Policies from the UK and other English-speaking countries and some francophone countries Collection and analysis of all existing University of Plymouth Policies, Strategies and Plans

HEI Sustainability Policy/Strategy Analysis Exclusive concentration on or overemphasis of environmental dimensions of sustainability Most fail to convey sustainability as involving a dynamical interplay between culture, environment, economy, health, peace and social justice dimensions Have a behind closed doors feel – no reference to their being the outcome of a consultation process; no reference to future revision through periodic consultation Many have a heavy estates emphasis; curriculum-lite Most seem caught in a Bruntland time warp Little reference to the contested nature of the field

Existing University of Plymouth Policies/Strategies (1) The Little Bo-Peep Phenomenon – the Chancellery didnt know where to find them!)

Existing University of Plymouth Policies/Strategies (2) Lack of cohesion across the policies (no cross-referencing) No coherent and available schedule of policy revision

The Wide and Deep Consultation (1) Walk the Talk

The Wide and Deep Consultation (2) Build a sense of empowerment and ownership through engagement

Groups consulted included: CSF Community Heads of Divisions and Schools Division and School personnel (academic and non- academic) University of Plymouth Student Union Chancellery Environment Committee CSF Campus and Community Forums Regional/local community groups Students

Different Approaches to Consultation [1]: Formal Approaches Formal boardroom-style meetings 1:1 meetings with senior personnel, including Chancellery Face to face and virtual consultations within schools and divisions Meetings with UPSU student representatives

Different Approaches to Consultation [2]: Flow Approaches (1) 1:1 coffee chats Open space dialogues

Different Approaches to Consultation [2]: Flow Approaches (2) Sticky paper ideas and drawing boards in public places Large plasma screen broadcasting initiative and inviting feedback in UPSU Announcements and invitations on staff and student portals [Repeated] News Alerts

The Sustainability Policy Formally accepted by Chancellery; subject to ratification by Governors Adopts the 4C approach Holistic interpretation of sustainability Signals contested nature of the area Simultaneous signing of range of international covenants Commitment to three-year consultations in review: a live document To be monitored by Environment Committee

Sustainability Strategic Action Plan 71 Actions with leads and players identified 13 Curriculum, 28 Campus, 11 Community, 19 Culture actions A living and lived document A framework, not a straitjacket To be monitored by the Environment Committee

Lessons Learned: Anticipate hi-jacks (but dont be thrown by them) Marry the formal with the flow Engaging students means asking students how they can be best engaged Wide and deep consultation is a stretch………. Other lessons …

We have got the VC on board!

Making the Policy and Action Plan Live Electronic version of Policy with hyperlinks from Executive Summary Electronic and Poster-form popular versions Action Plan as an electronic timeline, opening to action line descriptions, monitoring page, discussion room

SOME IMPACTS OF CONSULTATION Raised profile for Sustainability and CSF Calls for CPD Leads and players taking on change agency/advocacy role Sustainability becoming part of institutional mindset

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Alex Francis, John Downie and Thomas Stembridge for drawing the cartoons!