Leading from within: capacity building for ESD leadership 2027
The 'Leading from within: capacity building for ESD leadership' course aims to develop the capacity of Higher and Further Education staff to take leadership roles in Education for Sustainability. It explores different forms and levels of sustainability leadership, taking a holistic approach that extends beyond traditional business-oriented leadership models. These approaches include mentoring, advocacy, role-modelling and activism.
Using innovative and reflective activities, the course draws on the creative arts and humanities to foster self-awareness, empathy, critical reflection, creative collaboration and problem-solving.
Throughout the course, participants will engage with peer groups to collaborate, share their experiences and learn from one another. They will also begin applying their learning by planning leadership actions relevant to their professional context and will be encouraged to implement these actions during the course where possible. As a cross-institutional collaborative initiative, the course aims to strengthen Education for Sustainable Development across the tertiary education sector and develop a network of leaders taking action at a local level.
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Who is CPD for?
This free 'Leading from within' course is available to all academic lecturing staff at TU Dublin who have already completed either or both Open Courses:
- Education for Sustainability
- Embedding the SDGs across the Curriculum
This open course is designed for staff in Higher and Further Education and involves approximately 25 learner hours over seven weeks. Participants who successfully complete the course will be awarded a digital badge.
Duration and Format
- Starts Monday 05 April 2027,
- 25 hours in total,
- Facilitator-led.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify personal values, actions and leadership styles as they relate to the development of a sustainability mindset.
- Examine institutional and societal challenges and opportunities through a cross-disciplinary lens to foster strategic insight.
- Integrate insights with creative approaches to address real campus or community challenges.
- Apply your learning to action in Education for Sustainable Development leadership and advocacy.
Module Delivery and Recognition
On earning the open badge for this course, you will have achieved further recognition across the following domains of the National Professional Development Framework for Staff Who Teach:
- Domain 2: Professional Identity, Values and Development in Teaching and Learning — supports critical reflection on professional and disciplinary identity and recognises that professional identity can evolve throughout a person’s career;
- Domain 3: Professional Communication and Dialogue — emphasises the importance of clear and coherent communication within changing learning environments;
- Domain 4: Professional Knowledge and Skills — supports individuals in remaining current in their professional or disciplinary knowledge and applying evidence-based teaching, learning, and assessment practices.
This open course was developed by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in partnership with Atlantic Technological University, Technological University Dublin, University of Limerick, South East Technological University and the Institute of Art, Design and Technology.