Hi, I’m Emily, a current Business Management student at De Montfort University. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the EAUC Conference in Winchester. The EAUC (Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges) Conference is a leading event focused on sustainability within higher education, bringing together professionals and academics to discuss the latest ideas, challenges, and solutions in the field.
I attended this conference in preparation for my new role as a ‘Learning for Sustainability’ Frontrunner in the upcoming academic year. The conference provided a fantastic platform to learn and engage with experts, exploring innovative approaches to sustainability in higher education.
One of the highlights for me was participating in the conversation workshop sessions. I found the session on “Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in collaboration with whole institutional approaches” particularly valuable. This workshop offered creative ideas for interdisciplinary projects. It provided me with the impactful message that “big imaginings happen from small doings” and also that in order to embed sustainability in our institutions, we must first embody it in our actions and attitudes.
In addition to the workshops, I attended the EAUC 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner. This event was a wonderful opportunity to network with professionals who shared their experiences and challenges. Their insights were invaluable, providing guidance on how I can navigate similar challenges in my future.
It reinforced my understanding that a commitment to sustainability is crucial across all disciplines within higher education. This commitment is essential for preparing future professionals to integrate sustainability into their career no matter where their paths may lead.
This experience not only enriched my knowledge and provided fresh ideas for my new role but also encouraged me to break comfort zones and push boundaries. I look forward to contributing to these efforts as a Frontrunner Intern, bringing the lessons and inspirations from the EAUC Conference into my work and helping to drive sustainable change within our institution.