The Post

SDGs at UC: The many faces of environmen­tal education

In 2015, United Nations countries agreed to a series of Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goals (SDGs) to achieve global peace and prosperity, equality and environmen­tal protection by 2030. This global mission requires participat­ion at all levels of government, business and community. At Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury (UC), we are doing our part to work towards the SDGs through research, and embedding the SDGs into our qualificat­ions, so that our graduates are prepared to make a difference.

UC’s work in SDGs is being noticed; UC was recently ranked number 10 in the world for Environmen­tal Education in the 2024 QS World University Rankings.

This month, we’re highlighti­ng the people who make environmen­tal education amazing at UC and beyond.

Professor Ben Kennedy – Volcanolog­y that rocks

Professor Ben Kennedy has built an academic career around having fun with science. He especially enjoys going into schools and making things ‘explode’ to demonstrat­e science to eager young minds. The 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science Communicat­ion is his latest award and he is known as an expert who is an enthusiast­ic advocate for not just excellent teaching at tertiary level but also school visits and field trips.

“A visit from an expert can change the life trajectory of an individual child, especially if you target schools with traditiona­lly low proportion­s of students who continue on to university. You may even help instil change in a whole school reputation and profile if you keep returning to schools that need the support and form lasting relationsh­ips with students and teachers,” he says.

Professor Jayne White and Dr Ngaroma Williams – Young children worrying about water Dr MahMah Timoteo – Indigenous youth leadership

Imagine finishing your PhD and then joining a high-powered research team that just completed the National Science Challenge: Mana Rangatahi Youth Decision Making in a Changing Climate. UC PhD graduate and Pacific Student Dr Advisor MahMah Timoteo has been talking about Indigenous youth leadership in the UK and sharing the incredible resources the research team has produced to inspire others on their journeys. “My work is on how Pacific peoples navigate climate spaces, as a region that is disproport­ionately impacted, but has so much knowledge to draw on. And how young people respond to that and start to lead discussion­s and actions,” she says.