From insight to action: Possible pathways for sustainable futures in a Canadian university

This study examines the impact of the Thriving Futures 2023 event, which engaged the Dalhousie University (DAL) community located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and residents from the broader Halifax area in exploring inclusive sustainable development pathways. Employing a mixed methods approach t...

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Main Authors: Kent A. Williams, Alexander Davis, Rohan Choudhary, Loretta Baidoo, Joyline Makani, Tony R. Walker, Binod Sundararajan, Mariana Sigala
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Cleaner Production Letters
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266679162400037X
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author Kent A. Williams
Alexander Davis
Rohan Choudhary
Loretta Baidoo
Joyline Makani
Tony R. Walker
Binod Sundararajan
Mariana Sigala
author_facet Kent A. Williams
Alexander Davis
Rohan Choudhary
Loretta Baidoo
Joyline Makani
Tony R. Walker
Binod Sundararajan
Mariana Sigala
author_sort Kent A. Williams
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the impact of the Thriving Futures 2023 event, which engaged the Dalhousie University (DAL) community located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and residents from the broader Halifax area in exploring inclusive sustainable development pathways. Employing a mixed methods approach that included surveys, video interviews, and expressive arts, the research captures diverse perspectives from students, staff, faculty, and community members. Rooted in a transdisciplinary framework, the event wove together the 17 Rooms methodology with Indigenous and local knowledge systems. Through deep dialogues and collaborative activities focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the event cultivated meaningful engagement. Key findings reveal a strong enthusiasm and readiness within the academic community to advance sustainability efforts, alongside challenges such as limited structural incentives and insufficient university leadership support. This study underscores the critical role of inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, inclusive leadership, and the integration of sustainability principles into university curricula and operations. By reflecting on the outcomes of Thriving Futures (2023), the research offers actionable strategies for embedding sustainable practices in higher education and contributes to the broader discourse on applying the SDGs in academic contexts.
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series Cleaner Production Letters
spelling doaj-art-81919fc587c24fa2b98b1ba1a4a9c6992025-01-07T04:17:36ZengElsevierCleaner Production Letters2666-79162025-06-018100091From insight to action: Possible pathways for sustainable futures in a Canadian universityKent A. Williams0Alexander Davis1Rohan Choudhary2Loretta Baidoo3Joyline Makani4Tony R. Walker5Binod Sundararajan6Mariana Sigala7Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada; Corresponding author.Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, CanadaDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Patna, Bihar, IndiaFaculty of Management, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, CanadaFaculty of Management, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, CanadaSchool for Resource and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, CanadaFaculty of Management, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, CanadaUniversidad Tecnológica de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, MexicoThis study examines the impact of the Thriving Futures 2023 event, which engaged the Dalhousie University (DAL) community located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and residents from the broader Halifax area in exploring inclusive sustainable development pathways. Employing a mixed methods approach that included surveys, video interviews, and expressive arts, the research captures diverse perspectives from students, staff, faculty, and community members. Rooted in a transdisciplinary framework, the event wove together the 17 Rooms methodology with Indigenous and local knowledge systems. Through deep dialogues and collaborative activities focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the event cultivated meaningful engagement. Key findings reveal a strong enthusiasm and readiness within the academic community to advance sustainability efforts, alongside challenges such as limited structural incentives and insufficient university leadership support. This study underscores the critical role of inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, inclusive leadership, and the integration of sustainability principles into university curricula and operations. By reflecting on the outcomes of Thriving Futures (2023), the research offers actionable strategies for embedding sustainable practices in higher education and contributes to the broader discourse on applying the SDGs in academic contexts.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266679162400037X
spellingShingle Kent A. Williams
Alexander Davis
Rohan Choudhary
Loretta Baidoo
Joyline Makani
Tony R. Walker
Binod Sundararajan
Mariana Sigala
From insight to action: Possible pathways for sustainable futures in a Canadian university
Cleaner Production Letters
title From insight to action: Possible pathways for sustainable futures in a Canadian university
title_full From insight to action: Possible pathways for sustainable futures in a Canadian university
title_fullStr From insight to action: Possible pathways for sustainable futures in a Canadian university
title_full_unstemmed From insight to action: Possible pathways for sustainable futures in a Canadian university
title_short From insight to action: Possible pathways for sustainable futures in a Canadian university
title_sort from insight to action possible pathways for sustainable futures in a canadian university
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266679162400037X
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