Learning, teaching and research constitute core purposes of an educational institution to address sociocultural responsibility, environmental sustainability and sustainable development. Through formal and informal curricula, skills training and development, knowledge transfer and research, institutions have a significant, positive long-term impact on society.
Sustainability Literacy
Sustainability literacy is defined as knowledge about our shared sustainability challenges and ways to create solutions to these challenges. Sustainability literacy surveys are designed to assess student understanding of the interconnectedness of social, economic and environmental issues and challenges, and not just knowledge about the environment or environmental problems. Hence, sustainability literacy assessments focus on knowledge of sustainability topics and challenges rather than sustainability culture (i.e., values, behaviours, beliefs).
The University of Tasmania's Sustainability Team developed an initial Sustainability Literacy Survey in 2023. This survey is conducted annually in tandem with our Sustainability Surveys and Travel Behaviour Surveys. The Sustainability Literacy Surveys aim to:
- Assess the sustainability literacy of students at the University of Tasmania by school/institute and year of study.
- Measure student learning by comparing results from tests conducted in consecutive years to identify progress and/or mastery of desired learning outcomes.
- Assist in evaluating the success of the University’s sustainability education initiatives over time and developing insight into how these initiatives could be improved.