Thesis Format
Integrated Article
Degree
Master of Arts
Program
Geography and Environment
Supervisor
Arku, Godwin
Abstract
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are increasingly coming on board to engage with the United Nations Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By leveraging their global connectivity and other advantageous traits, such as their research and knowledge production capability, HEIs are uniquely positioned to be leaders in sustainable strategic planning. To date, however, no systematic attempt has been made to investigate how Canadian HEIs are engaging with the SDGs. In response to this knowledge gap, this research seeks to understand: In what ways are Canadian HEIs (specifically, U15s) engaging with the SDGs, and why? And what SDGs are being prioritized within Canadian HEIs (U15s), and why? This research undertook two phases; first, a content analysis of the HEIs’ strategic documents on SDGs was conducted; and second, an analysis of interviews with participants from the HEIs was undertaken. Findings illustrate how the Canadian HEIs are engaging with the SDGs across many areas of operation from courses and research to community outreach. Results from the document analysis indicate that SDGs 17 (partnership for the goals), 4 (quality education), and 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) have higher levels of engagement among the HEIs. Additionally, the interviews provide further context and perspective on the HEIs SDG engagement. These findings can be valuable for future research aiming to provide best practice recommendations to Canadian HEIs, specifically the U15s, to improve their overall SDG engagement. This research also helps to increase overall awareness and understanding of the role HEIs can play in global initiatives.
Summary for Lay Audience
The world continues to face complex challenges surrounding the environment and society, such as climate change and social injustices. These challenges are complex due to their broad creation and impact requiring continued innovation and multiple solutions. Therefore, global goals are created to educate, encourage and guide towards minimizing and eradicating these complex challenges. Since 2015, the current global goals have been the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although everyone is encouraged to engage with the SDGs, large organizations such as governments and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have an influential and powerful role to play in engaging with the SDGs. HEIs have been embedded within society for centuries and are the heart of research, innovation and teaching which is essential for progress towards the SDGs. Compared to Europe and the global context, there has been very little investigation into Canadian HEIs and the SDGs. Therefore, this thesis explores the ways in which Canadian HEIs are engaging with the SDGs, using both documents and interviews from Canadian HEIs. This study found that engagement with the SDGs occurs across all areas of the HEIs from teaching to community partnerships, to sustainable campus buildings. Further, across the Canadian HEIs partnership for the goals (SDG 17), quality education (SDG 4) and industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9) were commonly discussed and engaged with. The HEIs also engage with each SDG with different levels of prioritization or engagement based on the HEIs’ local and global environment/society needs. Based on this study, there are many reasons for Canadian HEIs to engage with the SDGs, such as their role within society and longstanding commitment to sustainability. This thesis provides important information which can help inform engagement with the SDGs moving forward for Canada but also globally.
Recommended Citation
Lambert, Kavanagh S.A, "Higher Education Institutions and the Sustainable Development Goals: Understanding Engagement and Prioritization within Canadian Research-Intensive Universities" (2024). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 10301.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/10301