Developing Sustainability Competencies through Extra-Curricular Interdisciplinary Challenges

Hitt, Sarah Jayne; Seminara, Paola; Binding, Tabitha; Hairstans, Robert

Abstract

Educators are being challenged to develop transformational learning experiences that link student attainment of sustainability competencies to professional skills required in specific industries. However, these efforts can sometimes be hamstrung by traditional curricula and institutional structures. This study on an industry-led learning experience, the Timber Development UK University Design Challenge, evaluates how successful it has been in fostering student learning in net zero skills, renewables (materials and technologies) and engineering approaches critical for 21 st century construction professionals whilst also focusing on sustainability outcomes and operating outside an established curriculum or programme.

The results demonstrate a method for implementing interdisciplinary challenge-based learning in engineering for sustainable development within built environment fields, and for developing or enhancing links with industries and community organizations. More broadly, this work supports education around decarbonisation of the built environment, upskilling the 21 st century workforce, developing a more circular economy, and emphasising collaborative and regenerative design.

Citation

Hitt, S. J., Seminara, P., Binding, T., & Hairstans, R. (online). Developing Sustainability Competencies through Extra-Curricular Interdisciplinary Challenges. European Journal of Engineering Education, https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2025.2481965

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 14, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Mar 28, 2025
• Deposit Date: Mar 25, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 29, 2026
• Journal: European Journal of Engineering Education
• Print ISSN: 0304-3797
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-5898
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2025.2481965
• Keywords: Challenge-based learning; Interdisciplinarity; Sustainability competencies; Built environment; Timber; Net zero
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/4187524