Who Are We?
We are Scotland’s Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development – acknowledged by the United Nations University.
As Scotland’s United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise, we are part of a global network of RCEs throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. This international network allows regions and countries to share and learn from each other, and to establish or strengthen international partnerships.
Our office is hosted by the University of Edinburgh and we are part of the Moray House School of Education campus. Our members are based all over Scotland. We officially launched in November 2013 and you can read more about our background here.
We do this through task groups, local and national events, creating opportunities for members to get together and by sharing best practice via social media, our website and monthly bulletin.
We are a growing network of educators, practitioners and key partners, all working together to embed learning for sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals into all that we do. We work across sectors, across all types of education, across the length and breadth of Scotland.
Our vision…
…is for Learning for Sustainability to infuse the whole of Scottish society, building our capacity to contribute to sustainability – locally, nationally and globally.
Our mission…
…is to work co-operatively with our members and partners to harness the transformative potential of Learning for Sustainability to support a sustainable world where:
- People and communities value and are engaged with the natural environment;
- Societies are inclusive and equitable;
- A vibrant economy contributes to flourishing ecosystems and social justice
What is Learning for Sustainability?
Learning for Sustainability is the umbrella term for sustainable development education, outdoor learning, global citizenship and social welfare. As you can see from the word cloud this encompasses a wide range of themes and approaches across all forms of education – formal and non formal.
We think the question should be – what isn’t Learning for Sustainability?
What do we do?
We empower our members to work together to deliver Learning for Sustainability (LfS) across all aspects of learning, to strengthen the understanding of LfS and to advance the practice of LfS so that it reaches its full potential across Scotland.
Work Plans & Reports
- Read our Strategic Work Plan
- Annual Reports ranging from 2013 – 2018
Members
Our members can:
- Take part in, or develop, a task group to enhance a specific area of work on Learning for Sustainability
- Have a say in the future work and direction of Learning for Sustainability Scotland by attending our Annual General Meetings and voting on specific topics or ideas.
- Network with like minded individuals across sectors and local authority areas at our tailored networking events
- Attend workshops and seminars (often free to members) relevant to their sector
- Access the vast range of resources, advice, consultations and policy documents available in the learning for sustainability community quickly and easily.
Steering Group
The work of LfS Scotland is guided by our Steering Group, highly committed individuals who are voted democratically by our members every two years. Steering Group meetings take place four times a year and are also attended by convenors of task groups. View our Steering Group roles and responsibilities here.
The current Steering Group members are:
Kate Campbell
Independent Consultant & Co-Vice Chair
Kate has worked in Scotland in the SDE/environmental sector since 1990 and been part of the SDE ‘movement’ during that time. She was instrumental in developing the very successful Scottish Eco-Schools programme (2002 to 2012). In 2013, Kate was awarded an OBE for services to environmental education and sustainable development.
Andy Samuel
Lecturer at Abertay University
Sarah Ford-Hutchinson
Communication Manager
Sarah is a Communication Manager for the University’s of Edinburgh’s Department for Social Responsibility & Sustainability, a freelance film maker and a graphic designer. She advises LfS Scotland on their communications.
Ron McKay
Lecturer at Edinburgh College
Ron was an FE lecturer for near 25 years, previously in Television, Radio and Commercial Sound Production. His formal education was in Zoology with further work in Microbiology and Genetics, but sustainability goes all the way back to his mini hydro schemes in Primary School and wind power in Secondary. He’s still learning and loves doing things!
Ullrich Kochel
Professor at Heriot-Watt University
Ullrich is Professor of Cultural Ecology and Sustainability at Heriot-Watt University, a Member of the Royal Irish Academy and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. He has worked on endogenous development issues for more than 30 years, with particular focus on sustainable communities and from a critical heritage perspective.
Rehema White
Academic and Chair of LfS Scotland
Laura Curtis-Moss
Worldwide Programme Manager for Edinburgh Science Festival
Laura is Worldwide Programme Manager for Edinburgh Science Festival where she is particularly interesting in communicating the science of Climate Change. Her background is in environmental and outdoor education – focusing on formal education in schools and continuing education for teachers.
Rebecca Petford
Programme Manager at EAUC Scotland
Rebecca is Scotland Programme Manager for the EAUC – the Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Universities and Colleges, and also Co-Coordinator for the LfSS Youth Network. Rebecca has an academic background in sustainable development and experience working at the local level on both environmental and social sustainability projects.
Staff
Learning for Sustainability Scotland is run by a very small team who believe whole-heartedly in the potential of Learning for Sustainability as a vehicle for a more sustainable world. View our Staff roles and responsibilities here.
Pete Higgins
Director of RCE Scotland
Peter Higgins is Professor of Outdoor, Environmental and Sustainability Education at the University of Edinburgh, teaching academic, practical and on-line courses. He Chaired the Learning for Sustainability Advisory and Implementation Groups (2012-2016). He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Trustee of the Field Studies Council.
Betsy King
Development Manager
Betsy joined LfS Scotland as Development Manager in 2013. She has a long-standing commitment to LfS, contributing to policy development and practice in Scotland, UK and internationally. Originally a Geography teacher, she has worked for the Peak National Park, the University of Papua New Guinea and environmental sustainability NGOs in the UK, most recently for WWF Scotland.