SHIFT Call For Texts Universities For Sustainability Contributions Of Social Sciences, Humanities And Arts

SHiFT Universities for Sustainability. Evaluating and Strengthening the Commitment of Universities to Sustainability Through the Lens of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities

We invite contributions for a seminar in Brussels, planned for July 11th 2025, dedicated to presenting and discussing draft texts for a forthcoming publication on Universities for Sustainability: Evaluating and Strengthening the Commitment of Higher Education Institutions Through Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts (SSH&A).

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Submit a 500-word abstract outlining the proposed text by 15 February 2025. Submission form

The SHiFT Universities for Sustainability initiative seeks to evaluate and enhance the role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in promoting sustainability, with a special focus on the transformative contributions of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts (SSH&A). Through a comprehensive approach, the initiative aims to empower HEIs as key drivers of sustainable development while amplifying the societal impact of SSH&A.

Key activities include:

  1. Survey: A detailed survey targeting HEI management, faculty, students, and student groups will map perceptions, strategies, and SSH&A contributions to sustainability, generating critical data for actionable insights.
  2. Webinars: Organized by the Young Researchers Council, these sessions will engage diverse audiences, raising awareness of SSH&A’s role in addressing challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.
  3. Brussels Seminar and Publication: Findings from the survey and webinars will be presented in a seminar, with associated texts published to guide HEIs and policymakers.
  4. Final Report: A comprehensive report will consolidate all findings and provide strategic recommendations to integrate SSH&A into HEI sustainability strategies, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The initiative emphasizes best practices, sustainability literacy, and innovative approaches to global challenges, ensuring SSH&A remain central to HEIs’ efforts to foster a more inclusive and resilient society.