Prioritizing sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders: solution for educational leaders
Universities play a crucial role in shaping the future during a time of pressing environmental issues and the call for sustainable growth. University leaders have the opportunity to move beyond simply acknowledging sustainability challenges and to take effective action. Therefore, this study aimed t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Education |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2534153 |
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| author | Chinaza Uleanya Chidubem Deborah Adamu Kathija Yassim |
| author_facet | Chinaza Uleanya Chidubem Deborah Adamu Kathija Yassim |
| author_sort | Chinaza Uleanya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Universities play a crucial role in shaping the future during a time of pressing environmental issues and the call for sustainable growth. University leaders have the opportunity to move beyond simply acknowledging sustainability challenges and to take effective action. Therefore, this study aimed to explore sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders of a selected institution in South Africa. Interpretative phenomenological approach in a qualitative design was adopted to investigate stakeholders lived experiences of sustainability consciousness. Participants in the study included students, lecturers as well as two administrative staff members. All participants completed an 8-week sustainability Short Learning Program (SLP). Data was collected through unstructured in-depth interviews with the participants and analyzed thematically using Atlas.ti version 22 for thematic coding. Intercoder reliability was ensured through dual independent analysis. The study’s findings highlight the importance of universities to not only prioritize sustainability awareness, but also to act as catalysts for change by integrating sustainability across all academic disciplines and promoting sustainable practices among stakeholders. The paper recommends amongst others that HEIs infuse sustainability into all fields, engage all stakeholders in campus sustainability efforts, and adopt organizational theories aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) frameworks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b90a6150780d479faa485a91b3bd0ff1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2331-186X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-b90a6150780d479faa485a91b3bd0ff12025-08-20T03:35:32ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Education2331-186X2025-12-0112110.1080/2331186X.2025.2534153Prioritizing sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders: solution for educational leadersChinaza Uleanya0Chidubem Deborah Adamu1Kathija Yassim2Department of Education Leadership and Management, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South AfricaDepartment of Education Leadership and Management, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South AfricaDepartment of Education Leadership and Management, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South AfricaUniversities play a crucial role in shaping the future during a time of pressing environmental issues and the call for sustainable growth. University leaders have the opportunity to move beyond simply acknowledging sustainability challenges and to take effective action. Therefore, this study aimed to explore sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders of a selected institution in South Africa. Interpretative phenomenological approach in a qualitative design was adopted to investigate stakeholders lived experiences of sustainability consciousness. Participants in the study included students, lecturers as well as two administrative staff members. All participants completed an 8-week sustainability Short Learning Program (SLP). Data was collected through unstructured in-depth interviews with the participants and analyzed thematically using Atlas.ti version 22 for thematic coding. Intercoder reliability was ensured through dual independent analysis. The study’s findings highlight the importance of universities to not only prioritize sustainability awareness, but also to act as catalysts for change by integrating sustainability across all academic disciplines and promoting sustainable practices among stakeholders. The paper recommends amongst others that HEIs infuse sustainability into all fields, engage all stakeholders in campus sustainability efforts, and adopt organizational theories aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) frameworks.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2534153Co-evolutioneducational leadershipeducation stakeholdershigher educationSouth AfricaEducational Change and School Reform, Higher Education, Higher Education Management, Management Education |
| spellingShingle | Chinaza Uleanya Chidubem Deborah Adamu Kathija Yassim Prioritizing sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders: solution for educational leaders Cogent Education Co-evolution educational leadership education stakeholders higher education South Africa Educational Change and School Reform, Higher Education, Higher Education Management, Management Education |
| title | Prioritizing sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders: solution for educational leaders |
| title_full | Prioritizing sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders: solution for educational leaders |
| title_fullStr | Prioritizing sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders: solution for educational leaders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prioritizing sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders: solution for educational leaders |
| title_short | Prioritizing sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders: solution for educational leaders |
| title_sort | prioritizing sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders solution for educational leaders |
| topic | Co-evolution educational leadership education stakeholders higher education South Africa Educational Change and School Reform, Higher Education, Higher Education Management, Management Education |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2534153 |
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