Prof. Dr. Clemens MaderLeuphana Universität Lüneburg

October 2012

ASSESSMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY PROCESSES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ

Analysis by application of the Graz Model for Integrative Development

LEARNING TARGETS• Understanding of the larger context of the sustainability

process of the University of Graz• Understanding the Graz Model for Integrative

Development, its principles and applicability• Analysis of the integrative connections of the

sustainability process at the University of Graz by application of the Graz Model• Independent application of the Graz Model in unknown

development processes• Reflection on development processes and the role of

integrative thinking 2

Facts of the University of Graz:• Founded in 1585, Austria's second

oldest university• About 30,000 students and 3,800

employees• 6 faculties and 76 institutes:• Faculty of Catholic Theology• Faculty of Law• Faculty of Business, Economic and Social

Sciences• Faculty of Natural Sciences• Faculty of Arts and Humanties• Faculty of Environmental, Regional and

Educational Sciences

• More than 100 study courses

3University of Graz 2012

MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ

• About 20 years ago, the first initiatives were taken to raise awarenes for research and teaching for the benefit of society • Today, the University of Graz is regarded as a pioneer

in the field of sustainable higher education development in Austria and in Europe.

How has this been achieved? What are the interrelations between activities and initiatives of the last few years?

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MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - EDUCATION

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Environmental System Sciences in curriculum2003

Virtual Campus for a Sustainable Development (VCSE)2005

Lectures, excursions, intergenerational courses...

MScInterdisciplinary Gender Studies2007

Joint MSc programSustainable Development2008

MSc Erasmus MundusIndustrial Ecology 2011

MSc Sustainable Urban and Regionaldevelopment 2007

MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - RESEARCH

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Sustainable urban and regional development

Human rights ICTeESD2010-2012

(a selection...)

MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - MANAGEMENT

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oikos Grazstudent organization2002

Task Force “Sustain. University of Graz”2004

RCE Graz-Styria2006

University bike stations 2007

Sustainability Coordinator2008

Faculty of Environ-mental & RegionalSciences & Education 2007

Institutionalisation of RCE Graz-Styria2009

COPERNICUS Alliance2009

Climate neutral University of Graz2011

MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - OUTREACH

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Children University“KinderUni”2004

RCE Graz-Styria2006

Sustainability Trail 2008

Sustainability website2008

Sustainability Award2008

Dual Career Service2011

Mobility4ALL2012

METHODE – The Graz Model for Integrative Development

• The Graz Model for Integrative Development supports you in:• holistically reflecting, • evaluating,• planning and further developing sustanability processes.

• Based on this model, development processes can be monitored from the vision to the implementation.

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The Graz Model for Integrative Development

The following five principles present core elements for integrative development processes:• Leadership & Vision• Social Network• Partizipation• Education and Learning• Research Integration(Mader, 2009).

The five principles are further divided into three levels.

Mader 2009

APPLICATION OF THE GRAZ MODEL

The Graz Model has been applied to various processes:• Global RCE-Network: for annual reporting and assessment• Regional Development: urban development in Malmö

(Western Harbour), New York City (PlaNYC 2030), city of Graz, Eco-region Kaindorf• Organizations/Institutions: University of Graz, UN Global

Compact Austria, COPERNICUS Alliance, One World Foundation in Sri Lanka• Enterprises: Sekem Group, Zotter chocolates,

studienaktie.org

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THE SUSTAINABILITY PROCESS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – by application of the Graz Model for Integrative Development

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Mader, C., 2009

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – LEADERSHIP & VISION

• Leadership in terms of sustainability is always carried out on different levels of management and by different persons

• In 1991, students initiated the development of a degree programme for Environmental System Sciences

• Increased activity since 2001: Vice-rector for studies and teaching and the student organization oikos ( top-down & bottom-up)• Development of a shared vision of a sustainable university (activities

like sustainability library, sustainability newsletter, conferences, lecture series, … )

• Building of partnerships and networks, e.g. COPERNICUS

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SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ PARTICIPATION

• Constant effort to make it possible for interested parties to participate and co create platforms that ecnourage participation such as:• Students can become an active member in the organization

oikos Graz• Platforms for scientific and administrative employees such as

the research group 'Sustainable University of Graz', the Regional Center of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria or the COPERNICUS Alliance

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SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – EDUCATION & LEARNING

• Education plays an important role in the develpment of competences and the transmission of values for sustainable development

• Various activities in the field of teaching such as degree programs for environmental system sciences, global studies, industrial ecology, sustainable development, sustainable urban and regional development and teaching methods such as interdiciplinary trainee programs, transdiciplinary teaching, excursions, etc.

• Various actors, activities and a transformational development, such as the networks Sustainability4U or the European training center for human rights, encourage generative learning where people cooperate to work on different projects.

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SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – RESEARCH INTEGRATION

• A holistic perspective is required when doing research on sustainability to tackle fundamental questions of environment, economy and society

• Transdiciplinary research is a key contribution to sustainability (mutual learning processes, society oriented, participatory, interdiciplinary, …)

• In 2002, the University of Graz carried out the Archduc Johann case study: intended transdiciplinary approach on the revitalization and development of iron ore

• More transdiciplinary approaches in research (development of a mission statement in Leoben and Weiz, mobility concept Mobility4U – a cooperation of the 4 universities in Graz) and in teaching (project Sustainicum, interdisciplinary trainee programs, courses with regional actors,...)

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Principles Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Leadership Administration: of current projects and university courses

Transactional Leadership:sustainability-coordinator

Transformative Leadership: Sustainable University of Graz – varaious actors cooperate to create a vision

Social Network

Information networks:Mailing lists, etc.

Knowledge networks: The research advisory bord of the COPERNICUS Allianceexchanges knowledge and contributes to further development

Innovation networks: Sustainability4U– high level of trust between the partners that share a vision

Participation Information: on current activities: oikos newsletter

Consultation: evaluation of university courses

Decision making: All actors can initiate activties. Platforms are for example oikos Graz or the research group Sustainable University of Graz

Education and

Learning

Single-loop learning:Layout of the sustainability report is further developed.

Double-loop learning:Vision of the RCE has been reflected and adapted

Generative learning: Intergenerational and transdiciplinary teaching supports the understanding of systems and the taking of initiatives.

Research integration

Disciplinary:Basic research as a basis for inter and transdisciplinary research

Interdisciplinary: research illustrates systems interrelations

Transdisciplinary: Mobility4U: Mobility concept of all 4 universities in Graz 18

Mader et al. 2011

Sustainability at the University of Graz – Overview of the Graz Model for Integrative Development

CONCLUSION• The results of the analysis of the sustainability process of the

University of Graz by application of the Graz model indicate a transformative approach.

• A broad range of stakeholders contribute on different levels and by different activites to a vision for a sustainable University of Graz → a long-term strategy could not be determined, however, this leaves room for creativity that can be used in new developments.

• Future challenges: raising awareness among employees and students, cooperating with regional stakeholders.

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REFLECTION & DISCUSSION• Which ascpects are essenctial for a sucessful stustainability

process at universities?

• How can sustainability activities at universities be encouraged? Which contributions can students make?

• Which initiatives should be taken by the University of Graz to strengthen its reputation of a sustainable university? Which steps are necessary to promote sustainability at my university?

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LITERATURE• Mader, Clemens (2012) Sustainability process assessment on transformative

potentials: the Graz Model for Integrative Development, Journal of Cleaner Production, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.08.028

• Mader, Clemens, Mader, Marlene, Diethart, Mario (2011) Der Nachhaltigkeitsprozess der Universität Graz – analysiert durch das Grazer Modell für Integrative Entwicklung, S. 63-69; in: Zimmermann, Friedrich M. (Hrsg.), (2011) Nachhaltigkeit, Regionalentwicklung, Tourismus – Festschrift zum 60. Geburtstag von Friedrich M. Zimmermann, Grazer Schriften der Geographie und Raumforschung, Band 46, Universität Graz, 380 S.

• Zimmermann, Friedrich M., Risopoulos, Filippina (Hrsg.), (2009) Nachhaltigkeitsbericht Universität Graz 2008. Grazer Universitätsverlag, Leykam, Graz, 86 S.

• Zimmermann, Friedrich M. (Hrsg.), (2006) Nachhaltigkeitsbericht Universität Graz 2005. Universität Graz, 64 S.

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