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Portland State University

Educational Leadership and Policy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Sustainable development -- Study and teaching

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Full-Text Articles in Education

Fostering Resiliency And Care Integrating Self-Compassion Into A Graduate Course, Heather L. Burns Jan 2022

Fostering Resiliency And Care Integrating Self-Compassion Into A Graduate Course, Heather L. Burns

Educational Leadership and Policy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Self-compassion, which involves mindful awareness of feelings and offering ourselves compassion, has been shown to support balancing emotions, overcoming challenges, and achieving goals. This action research study integrated self-compassion theory and practice in a graduate course in which students wrote their final comprehensive papers in sustainability education. This study found that self-compassion practice resulted in more self-awareness, more acceptance of difficult emotions, and more ability to handle stress. Additionally, students experienced more clarity and calm in the writing process and began to integrate self-compassion into their lives and work. This study points to the promise of self-compassion as a beneficial …


Insights From Alumni: A Grounded Theory Study Of A Graduate Program In Sustainability Leadership, Heather Burns, Megan Schneider Sep 2019

Insights From Alumni: A Grounded Theory Study Of A Graduate Program In Sustainability Leadership, Heather Burns, Megan Schneider

Educational Leadership and Policy Faculty Publications and Presentations

This grounded theory action research study examines the impact of a graduate sustainability leadership program through the lens of its alumni. The study reveals elements of the leadership program that had the most impact on the lives and careers of its alumni, as well as suggestions for how the program could better prepare students in the future. This study finds that impactful sustainability leadership programs might incorporate opportunities for: paradigm and perspective shifts; a culture of support and care; holistic personal growth and development; experiential community-based learning opportunities; and leadership tools and skills that students can practice and use. This …


Leadership For Sustainability: Theoretical Foundations And Pedagogical Practices That Foster Change, Heather Burns, Heather Diamond-Vaught, Corin Bauman Apr 2015

Leadership For Sustainability: Theoretical Foundations And Pedagogical Practices That Foster Change, Heather Burns, Heather Diamond-Vaught, Corin Bauman

Educational Leadership and Policy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Sustainability education has a significant role to play in changing the leadership paradigm and fostering leaders who are capable of working collaboratively to address complex sustainability challenges. Leadership for sustainability denotes a new and expanded understanding of leadership that signifies taking action based on sustainability values, leading from a living processes paradigm, and creating an inclusive, collaborative and reflective leadership process. This paper examines and weaves together literature on leadership, leadership development, and sustainability education to suggest best practices in leadership development. A variety of suggested pedagogical practices that foster the development of leaders include: observation and self-awareness, reflection, the …


Leadership For Sustainability: Pedagogical Practices That Empower Learners To Become Leaders, Heather Burns, Jr Wolf Feb 2014

Leadership For Sustainability: Pedagogical Practices That Empower Learners To Become Leaders, Heather Burns, Jr Wolf

Educational Leadership and Policy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Higher education is recognizing the need to prepare leaders who can take action to address complex and pressing sustainability challenges. Increasingly, this need is being addressed through the addition of sustainability programs and courses. However, academic courses often focus on sustainability content or issues and don’t necessarily foster the practices, ways of being, and skills needed to be an effective sustainability leader. According to a recent action research study of sustainability leadership development at Portland State University, sustainability leadership identity and skills can be developed through a combination of reflective practice, community building, and experiential learning. This session will provide …


Meaningful Sustainability Learning: An Action Research Study Of Sustainability Pedagogy In Two University Courses, Heather Burns Jan 2013

Meaningful Sustainability Learning: An Action Research Study Of Sustainability Pedagogy In Two University Courses, Heather Burns

Educational Leadership and Policy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Educators are increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability and the need to educate for sustainable change within higher education. This article addresses the growing need to focus on how teaching and learning can be re-oriented towards sustainability, and more specifically how educators can effectively address increasingly well-known sociocultural and ecological problems in ways that transform learners and empower them to make change based on a sense of civic responsibility and sustainability. This research study draws on the Burns Model of Sustainability Pedagogy, which integrates ecological design, systemic and interdisciplinary learning, multiple perspectives, an active and engaged learning process, and …