Sustainable learning and teaching: EUA Learning & Teaching Thematic Peer Groups focus on grand challenges

Focusing specific issues under this broader topic, the groups have released their reports covering:

• Approaches in learning and teaching to promoting equity and inclusion
• Meeting skills and employability demands
• Environmental sustainability of learning and teaching.

“Each of the three groups focused on a different aspect of what sustainable learning and teaching means. They covered education for sustainable development, measures to ensure that universities’ study programmes reflect the dynamic demands of society and the labour market, and equal access to learning opportunities as a means to promote excellence,” explained Tia Loukkola, Director of the EUA Institutional Development Unit. “By taking on such diverse issues under the umbrella theme of sustainability, the groups have showcased the need for holistic approaches when working towards sustainability.”

The groups focused on peer-learning and the exploration of issues and good practice in learning and teaching. They presented their preliminary conclusions at the 2021 European Learning & Teaching Forum “Embedding and facilitating sustainability”, organised online on 18-19 February.

In addition, the 2021 Learning & Teaching Thematic Peer Groups have begun their work. The 2021 groups will focus on digitally enhanced learning and teaching as an overarching theme, with groups dedicated to strategy and organisational culture; curriculum and assessment; and international partnerships.

The work of the 2021 Thematic Peer Groups will be highlighted at the 2022 European Learning & Teaching Forum, hosted by the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain in February. EUA will provide more detailed information about this event in the summer.