A Global School for a Global World: Building a Community-University Network to Address SDGs
- Education
- Governance
- Technology
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.
"Global Projects for All: The Transformative Capacity of Global Project-Based Learning"
- Kent RissmillerWorcester Polytechnic Institute (United States)Virtual
"Building an Integrative Department for Global Engagement"
- Laureen ElgertWorcester Polytechnic Institute (United States)Virtual
"Training a New Kind of Climate Adaptation Professional: Modeling Research and Practice in Community"
- Sarah StraussWorcester Polytechnic Institute (United States)Virtual
"Teaching the Great Problems: Nurturing Global Citizenship Identity in First-Year STEM Undergraduates"
- Sarah StanlickWorcester Polytechnic Institute (United States)Virtual
Chair
- Alice Atieno OdingoUniversity of Nairobi (Kenya)Virtual
Discussant
- Mimi ShellerWorcester Polytechnic Institute (United States)Virtual