New Publication from Prof. Sandra Sprenger (University of Hamburg) and Prof. Birte Nienaber (University of Luxembourg)

(Education for) Sustainable Development in Geography Education – Review and Outlook from a Perspective of Germany

in Journal of Geography in Higher Education

Abstract

Nearly fifteen years after the Rio Conference and ten years after the Lucerne Declaration on Geographical Education for Sustainable Development we are interested to what extent the goals of this declaration have been implemented? What role does Geography play in Education for Sustainable Development in higher education? Therefore, we analyzed the modules of 107 degree programs with Geography as a degree major or as a teacher training subject at 55 German universities, technical colleges and universities of education. We conducted a quantitative text analysis in which we searched the key words “Sustainability”, “Sustainable Development”, “Education for Sustainable Development” and “Nature-Society Studies” in the Module Regulations. Our data indicate the existence of a great heterogeneity between the degree programs. The key words were predominantly found in majors in “Human Geography”, “Geography” and teacher training programs for “academic high schools”. In this article the conceptual aspects can be derived on the basis of results: (a) differences in the orientation of degree programs, (b) varying degree of implementation in the modules, (c) different conceptual understanding of the principles of sustainability, (d) the concepts of Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development are individually and sometimes mixed and (e) heterogeneity between mandatory courses and electives.

DOI 10.1080/03098265.2017.1379057

Appointment of Dr. Constance Carr to Palgrave’s new book series: Environmental Sustainability

Constance Carr was appointed to the Editing Board of the Palgrave's Book Series on Environmental Sustainability, alongside Professors Robert Brinkmann of Hofstra University (Series Editor), David Gibbs, (University of Hull), Innocent Chirisa (University of Zimbabwe), Grigione, Melissa Marie (Pace University), Heidi Hutner (Stony Brook University), Michael Mann (Pennsylvania State University) a group of physical and social geographers and others.  Bringing together this board of physical and social geographers, Brinkmann aims to tackle one of the main pillars of sustainability -- the environment -- producing books on climate change, greenhouse gas management, circular and sharing economies, environmental education, urban studies, natural resource management and ecosystems, and resiliency.

If you have a book idea that might fit for this series, feel free to contact Constance. She would be be happy to discuss possibilities with you.

Appointment of Dr. Catherine Wong to Palgrave’s new book series: Palgrave Studies in Environmental Sociology and Policy

Dr. Catherine Wong of the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning has recently been appointed to the Board of Editors for Palgrave’s new book series “Palgrave Studies in Environmental Sociology and Policy”. She is the only early career researcher represented on a highly international board alongside some eminent sociologists including Prof. Ortwin Renn (Series Editor), Prof. Riley Dunlap, Prof. Magnus Boström, and Prof. Gabriela Marques Di Giulio, among others. This exciting new series is dedicated to environmental sociology as a distinct field with emphasis on theoretical grounding, empirical validation, evidence–based research and practical policy application. The aim of the series is to inform decision makers about potential options for viable and socially desirable strategies to deal with environmental challenges and problems. The series will include titles that cover a broad range of environmental issues, from climate change to pollution, from biodiversity to landscape engineering. Each book in the series will bridge the gap between sociological, conceptual and empirical insights and practical policy issues providing a platform for interdisciplinary but theoretically well- grounded analysis and practical guidance towards applications in numerous policy arenas.

See attached flyer for contact details and more.