If you have a course that would benefit from a sustainability makeover, we’d like to help.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2013-2014 academic year.  Deadline for submissions is May 31, 2013.

The UBC Sustainability Initiative (USI) Teaching & Learning Spotlight Program provides funding to course instructors who wish to further develop or refine existing UBC curriculum focused on, or related to, sustainability issues.  An award of $5000 is available, with up to four spotlight awards funded annually. The Spotlight Program is open to all UBC course instructors who have a demonstrated interest in sustainability education and who are teaching a course. 

Background

The USI coordinates and integrates UBC’s numerous sustainability initiatives across all branches of the university. The mandate of the USI Teaching & Learning Office (TLO) is to educate the next generation of sustainability leaders by transforming and coordinating undergraduate and graduate sustainability education across UBC’s Vancouver campus.

The TLO advances sustainability curriculum via its Fellowship and Spotlight programs and works with various units and groups across campus to leverage and build capacity to enhance sustainability learning opportunities for all UBC students.

Sustainability Teaching & Learning Spotlight Program

The objective of the Spotlight Program is to provide resources ($5000) to expand, revise and/or retool existing courses at UBC to increase their relevance to sustainability issues and to increase their accessibility to UBC students. Preference will be given to undergraduate courses which are open to all, or many, disciplines and which have an interdisciplinary lens. To be eligible the award must be used for existing courses offered during the 2013/2014 academic year.

Potential uses of the available funds could include employing a summer student to help develop new course materials, labs, tutorials, purchase of new class materials, production of course notes and handouts, development of a course web site and so on.

Eligibility

All faculty at UBC Vancouver who anticipate teaching courses in the 2013/2014 academic year are eligible to apply for this program.

Funding & Budget

Each participant will receive a $5,000 honorarium that can be used for a wide range of program-related expenses (curriculum development, books, teaching assistance, etc.). The honorarium may not be used for course buy-outs, and funds are non-recurring and non-renewable. The intention is to provide seed funds to develop increased capacity for sustainability courses, with the courses becoming self-sustaining in subsequent years.

Application Procedure

Applicants must provide the following:

1. Statement of Interest outlining the proposal (maximum 800 words) including how the funds will be used to improve the quality or relevance of sustainability education within the course.  In addition please address how the course will increase access to sustainability education across the University.
2. A budget breakdown of planned expenses
3. Curriculum Vitae

Applications are due to the USI by May 31 2013 with successful courses announced in June. 

Please submit your application and any questions to Alison Munro, the Associate Director of the Sustainability Teaching & Learning Office (e-mail: alison.munro@ubc.ca).  Applications should be submitted electronically in either an MS Word or pdf file format.

Selection Criteria

The criteria for selection include:

1. Demonstrated interest in and commitment to sustainability education
2. Planned use of innovative curriculum and improved access for students above what is currently anticipated in the course
3. Perceived ability to contribute to, and benefit from, the opportunities provided by the program

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If you have questions or comments, please contact the USI Teaching & Learning Office.