From sustainability perception to action in higher education: a study of faculty and staff

In the face of global sustainability challenges, society expects higher education to produce talent of the future to solve current and future problems. Little research exists on sustainability perceptions of all personnel in higher education institutions and their capacity to promote sustainability transition. This study explores sustainability perceptions among the university’s entire personnel, including faculty and staff, and how they perceive their possibilities to integrate sustainability into their work. Survey data was gathered in one university located in Finland. Personnel most often identified ecological dimensions when describing their perceptions of sustainability and often also discussed social and economic dimensions. Securing wellbeing for future generations appears in many responses, while only a few referred to strong sustainability, systemic thinking or holistic and transformative visions of sustainability. Additionally, they perceive limited opportunities to integrate sustainability with their work beyond small-impact environmental behaviour. The study suggests that universities aiming to act as a force for the sustainability transformation should take concrete measures to foster comprehensive sustainability perceptions and actions among their personnel and leaders.