Sustainable Imaginaries: A Case Study of a Large Suburban Canadian University

Autor/inn/en	Vaughter, Philip; Alsop, Steve
Titel	Sustainable Imaginaries: A Case Study of a Large Suburban Canadian University
Quelle	In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 18 (2017) 1, S.129-145 (17 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1467-6370
DOI	10.1108/IJSHE-02-2015-0032
Schlagwörter	Case Studies; Sustainability; Foreign Countries; Universities; Suburban Schools; Coding; College Faculty; Teacher Attitudes; Efficiency; School Community Relationship; Energy Conservation; Advisory Committees; Generalization; Governance; Semi Structured Interviews; Questionnaires; Qualitative Research; Canada + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Nachhaltigkeit; Ausland; University; Universität; Suburban area; Outskirts; Suburb; School; Schools; Vorort; Vorstadt; Schule; Codierung; Programmierung; Fakultät; Lehrerverhalten; Effectiveness; Effektivität; Wirkungsgrad; Energieerhaltung; Energiespeicherung; Beratungsstelle; Education; Educational policy; Financing; Steuerung; Bildung; Erziehung; Bildungspolitik; Finanzierung; Fragebogen; Qualitative Forschung; Kanada
Abstract	Purpose: This paper aims to explore the concept of sustainability imaginaries--unifying core assumptions on what sustainability entails held by stakeholders--set within a large suburban Canadian university. The study aims to expand the field of research into imaginaries by focusing on imaginaries within an institution as opposed to a societal or national level. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is conceptual in nature and draws upon empirical tools, such as collaborative thematic coding of interviews of university community members, to illustrate emergent imaginaries around sustainability at the institution. Findings: This paper identifies four core sustainability imaginaries in an analysis of the interview data: sustainability as performance, sustainability as governance, sustainability as techno-efficiency and sustainability as community organizing. The paper then uses these imaginaries to analyse two recent university-wide events: the establishment of a high-level sustainability council and an energy management program. Research limitations/implications: Because of the institutional focus of this study, the research may lack generalizability to other institutions. Thus, researchers are encouraged to explore what other imaginaries may exist at other institutions. Practical implications: This paper includes implications for how universities can manage conflicting expectations and definitions in relation to new sustainability initiatives on campus. Originality/value: This paper offers reflections on the concept of sustainability imaginaries and what they might offer the field of sustainability in higher education. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01