Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability Leadership

The overall aim of the programme is to provide a critical awareness of the complex social, economic, and environmental challenges and to develop strategic, critical and systems thinking competencies to embed sustainability and into organisational practices and decisions. The programme will focus on the knowledge, skills, and competencies specific to sustainability leadership and facilitate integration with the professional context of the individual student.

The key themes of the programme are:

• Intrinsic responsibility - understanding the various impacts of individual and organisational decisions, now and in the future. 
• Interconnectedness - the interrelated environmental, social and economic perspectives.
• Stakeholder engagement and the importance of viable, inclusive and equitable solutions and potential opportunities.

There are three modules as follows; 1. Understanding the sustainability challenges (10 credits), 2. Assessing the impact (10 credits) and 3. Sustainability Leadership & Change (10 credits).

The programme includes Sustainability Mindset Indicator (SMI) profiling.  The Sustainability Mindset Indicator (SMI) is an instrument to map and profile where an individual is on their journey towards a Sustainability Mindset. It provides participants with personalized reports that highlight their unique skills and opportunities to shape a better world. It includes questions for reflection to expand awareness and to leverage personal resources. (https://smindicator.com) 

There will be a blended approach to teaching and learning, whereby students will attend classroom-based learning (residential workshops) in monthly blocks throughout the semester and prepare for these sessions in the intervening period with designated on-line materials on the ATU Virtual Learning platform (Moodle).

Classes/workshops are provided at ATU Mayo, Castlebar (unless otherwise specified) and accommodation is provided locally for the four residential blocks. This programme structure and residential delivery model successfully runs in other postgraduate programmes. The residential element is not obligatory, but students find this an effective space for networking, peer learning and focus time.

The following is proposed delivery schedule for 2024:

Residential workshop 1: October 3rd and 4th

Residential workshop 2: October 31st and November 1st

Residential workshop 3: November 28th and 29th

Residential workshop 4: December 12th and 13th

Sustainability Leadership & Change (10 ECTS)

This module examines the role, importance and impact of effective leadership in the transformation required to integrate sustainability into organisations. Students will gain an insight into their own leadership style and will critically evaluate the potential of successful leadership to inspire, motivate and manage others, to address systems and norms in driving a sustainability vision and deliver on organisational goals. There will be a focus on the role of values at individual and organisation level, the complexity of the interconnected nature of social, environmental and economic challenges and sensitivity to context. This module will include Sustainability Mindset Indicator (SMI) profiling. 

Understanding the Sustainability Challenge (10 ECTS)

In the context of unfolding climate breakdown, with the socio-political implications of this becoming more apparent, this module sets out to examine the concept of ‘sustainability’.  The module addresses a number of questions. Is sustainability, as currently envisaged, compatible with economic growth and development? Is any growth justifiable given the contemporary climate and habitat crises, with their attendant human displacement issues? Is it possible to reconcile ecological concerns with social justice or principles of equality? How truly sustainable is ‘sustainable development’ if it is predicated on further extraction of resources and the expansion of a growth-led consumer economy, however modest this may purport to be? The ‘Green economy’ itself requires vast resources to be implemented. The module seeks to involve students in thinking their way through these and other critical questions.

Assessing the Impact (10 ECTS)

Within this module students will be introduced to the wide range of impacts that current economic and development strategies are having on the environment, society and the economy. The module initially focuses on understanding the impacts of existing business models in a holistic way - from the social, economic and environmental perspectives. Initially the module seeks to create a critical awareness of these impacts and of existing metrics and reporting in the business community and in wider society. There is a critique of the value, usefulness and role of the existing metrics. Students will be encouraged to explore emerging practices in addition to encouraging the creativity of students in addressing means of adapting and developing metrics that are a true measure of the triple bottom line.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a level 8 Bachelor (Hons) degree with a minimum grade classification of H2.2 or equivalent. Given the cross disciplinary nature of the programme, applicants may be from a range of disciplines. It is expected that applicants will have experience in an organisational environment and will be in a position to lead a sustainability related change.

Follow-on Studies / Post-Graduate Opportunities

Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability Leadership

MSc in Sustainability Leadership

Contact for more information 

Dr Deirdre Garvey

Deirdre.garvey@atu.ie

For Information on how to apply, email learn.galwaymayo@atu.ie