ICONSUS2025 – International Conference on Sustainability: Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Future aims to provide a global platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among academics, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners committed to advancing sustainability in higher education.
The conference focuses on exploring innovative strategies, practices, and policies to integrate sustainability into teaching, research, and institutional operations. It seeks to address the critical challenges and opportunities in transforming higher education to align with the principles of sustainable development, equipping institutions to act as catalysts for change in their communities and beyond.
Organised in the scope of the Erasmus+ project Time2Act@SD, ICONSUS2025 emphasises the role of higher education institutions in fostering critical thinking, interdisciplinary approaches, and actionable solutions to tackle global sustainability challenges.
The main goals of the conference include:
- Promoting knowledge sharing: Facilitating the exchange of research findings, case studies, and best practices related to sustainability in higher education.
- Enhancing collaboration: Strengthening partnerships between institutions, projects, and individuals working towards common sustainability objectives.
- Encouraging innovation: Highlighting cutting-edge tools, methods, and frameworks that drive sustainable transformation in higher education.
- Raising awareness: Inspiring participants to champion sustainability as a core value within their institutions and professional practices.
By bringing together a diverse and international audience, ICONSUS2025 aspires to inspire meaningful dialogue and action, contributing to a more sustainable future for higher education and society at large.
Conference Topics
This conference has the main objetive the presentation of the results of the Time2Act@SD Erasmus+ project. Beyond that, the following topics could be covered:
1. Integrating Sustainability in Higher Education
- Strategies for embedding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into curricula;
- Innovative pedagogical approaches for teaching sustainability;
- Developing skills for global citizenship and sustainable leadership.
2. Research and Innovation for Sustainability
- Interdisciplinary research projects addressing sustainability challenges;
- Leveraging emerging technologies to tackle environmental, social, and economic issues;
- Translating research outcomes into impactful policies and practices;
3. Institutional and Operational Transformation
- Sustainable campus management (energy efficiency, resource use, mobility, etc.);
- Governance and policy frameworks for fostering sustainability in higher education institutions;
- Leadership models and strategies for cultural change within academic organisations;
4. Partnerships and Collaborations for Sustainable Development
- Building international networks to foster sustainability collaboration;
- Engaging universities, businesses, and local communities in joint sustainability efforts;
- Funding and supporting sustainability-driven initiatives in higher education;
5. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
- Training educators to incorporate sustainability into teaching and learning practices;
- Open educational resources and digital tools for sustainability education;
- Assessing and measuring the impact of ESD initiatives.
- Education for sustainable development in adult education and lifelong learning
6. Innovative Tools for Sustainability Education
- Development and use of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) focused on sustainability;
- Gamification strategies to enhance engagement with sustainability topics;
- Virtual reality-based educational games, web-based simulations, and mobile apps for sustainability learning;
- Interactive tools and platforms to foster experiential learning and critical thinking.
7. Impact of Higher Education on Communities and Society
- Community engagement projects addressing social and environmental issues;
- Promoting circular economy and regenerative practices through higher education initiatives;
- The role of universities in addressing climate change and social inequalities.