Higher Education for Sustainable Development. Interlinking Sustainability Competences and Research Competences in an Organisational Change Context (2015-2016)
I have been granted a Special PhD Fellowship of the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) for my research on “Higher Education for Sustainable Development. Interlinking Sustainability Competences and Research Competences in an Organisational Change Context” (academic year 2015-2016). The PhD has been defended at the University of Antwerp, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, on June 1, 2016.

Echo for a sustainable future: transition towards sustainable higher education (2014-2016)
– funded by: National Lottery Belgium
– performed by: Leuven University College, Department of Business Studies
– goal: this project wants to foster the transition towards sustainable higher education, with the focus on two specific themes: (1) prepare the students for their future role in the sustainability transition, by integrating competences for sustainable development; (2) ‘walk our talk’ as a higher education institution, by testing and applying instruments for sustainable higher education (e.g. assessment instruments).

University Educators for Sustainable Development (UE4SD, 2013-2016)
– funded by: European Commission, Erasmus Academic Network
– goal: UE4SD is a partnership of higher education institutions (HEI), organisations, agencies and associations across Europe and beyond seeking pathways for progressing sustainability innovation in higher education. This is important as the higher education sector is well positioned to bring about change for sustainability as it prepares the future generation of leaders and professionals, challenges dominant paradigms, produces ground-breaking research and plays an important role in facilitating social change.
– website: http://www.ue4sd.eu/

Toolkit ESD-Competences for Marketing Teachers (Markedo, 2013-2014)
– funded by: Province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium
– performed by: Leuven University College, Department of Business Studies
– goal: this project aims to develop a toolkit for teachers in marketing programs in higher education, specifically focusing on acquiring competences essential in education for sustainable development (ESD-competences). The project starts with a practical definition of ESD competences within marketing study programs, and provides practical tools and instruments to integrate into the curriculum. The toolkit provides teachers with a variety of possibilities to work on competences for sustainable development within their course, module or study program.
– more information: Toolkit ESD-Competences for Marketing Teachers

Collaboration of Schools and Communities for Sustainable Development (CoDeS, 2011-2014)
– funded by: European Commission, Education and Culture DG, Comenius program
– goal: CoDeS is a Comenius multilateral Network funded by the Lifelong Learning Program from EU that focuses on school community collaboration addressing sustainability. The activities of the network aim at providing an European perspective on the processes of learning, models, values and tools for successful collaboration. Based on partners’ wide range of experience and background in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), the network will produce, publish and disseminate a range of products useful for school and community stakeholders to engage into successful practice such as case study reports, tool box, traveling guide, and different types of workshops.
– website: www.comenius-codes.eu
– final conference (Barcelona, May 2014): Designing a Sustainable Future through School Community Collaboration
– project results: tools and publications

Ecological Footprint in Higher Education: Calculation and Further Steps towards Organisational Development (2011-2012)
– funded by: Province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium
– performed by: Leuven University College, Department of Business Studies
– goal: this project aimed at using the concept of the Ecological Footprint in a higher education context. A thorough calculation of the ecological footprint of Leuven University College was made, serving as a basis to define actions and initiatives to reduce the ecological footprint of the university, and to inform and motivate staff and students to collaborate in this process. Ultimately, the results of the calculation were integrated into the universities’ monitoring system, providing opportunities for organisational change.
– press release: Ecological Footprint of Higher Education: the numbers tell the tale
– publication: Using ecological footprint analysis in higher education: Campus operations, policy development and educational purposes

Sustainable Development and Higher Education. Defining an implementation model with guiding principles (DOHO, 2005-2008)
– funded by: Flemish Government, practice-based research funding
– performed by: Leuven University College
– goal: this project focused on the integration of sustainable development from the perspective of single higher education institutions. The project aimed at defining a general sustainability implementation model with guiding principles for education, research, outreach and operations. Furthermore integration strategies applicable in higher education were defined, focusing on assessment instruments (e.g. AISHE), indicators and competences.
– results competences: Competences for sustainable development: why business-as-usual is not an option for higher education
– results implementation model: Why do universities fail to integrate sustainability, when general stepping stones are available?