A Global School for a Global World: Building a Community-University Network to Address SDGs

Panel Abstract
Universities are a significant, but untapped, resource for addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While university research and teaching impact grand challenges, the connectedness and intentionality between those efforts are often unrealized. At Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA, USA), a different type of effort is taking root. Building upon decades of excellence in global and project-based learning, a new school has emerged to house and connect global efforts across research, teaching, and community partnerships. The result has been a more coordinated effort that helps our students, staff, and faculty connect and collaborate to address challenges from climate change to food insecurity. In this presentation, we define the different communities – both internal and external to the university – and highlight specific examples of partnership in addressing sustainable development goals. Chaired by Dean of the Global School, Dr. Mimi Sheller, the panel discussion will consist of program heads for the Global Projects Program, Department of Integrative and Global Studies, Community Climate Adaptation Graduate Program, and first-year Great Problems Seminar. The panel will detail efforts to break down silos, center sustainable development goals in our work, and provide formative opportunities for our students to develop global citizen identity alongside their rigorous STEM training.