ARIES Projects
Current Research Projects
We are always interested to hear from practitioners as well as researchers who have information or experiences in any of the areas listed below. If you would like to contribute to these projects, become a key informant or simply want to be included on our project communication lists please contact us.
Mainstreaming Education for Sustainability into Pre-Service Teacher Education
ARIES has commenced a project to pilot mainstreaming sustainability into pre-service teacher education. The project will use a combined action-research and whole-of-system approach across the teacher education system, including federal and state government agencies, teacher accreditation bodies, curriculum bodies, teacher educators, schools and community-based organisations engaged in sustainability within formal education.
You can download a project description for 'Mainstreaming Education for Sustainability into Pre-Service Teacher Education' (PDF file).
Sustainability in Supply Chains
Businesses are facing increasing pressures to find strategic opportunities to deliver positive environmental and social outcomes. Supply chain operations are fundamental to the sustainability performance of core business operations. The Sustainability in supply chains program aims to achieve organisational change towards sustainability in corporations and their supply chain operations. This year-long program will engage several Australian corporations and their supply chain members from the food and construction sectors.
You can download a project description for 'Sustainability in Supply Chains' (PDF file).
Education about and for sustainability in Australian business schools
Stage 3
Partnering business schools with corporations
There is a growing need for managers and leaders who have the capacity to create and implement organisational change strategies for sustainability. In response, corporations and business schools are recognising the importance of their role to develop, foster and encourage these capacities.
For this reason, this program (Stage 3) aims to build partnerships between corporations and business schools to improve organisational capacity to address sustainability challenges, and accelerate change to achieve tangible sustainability outcomes. This year-long action-research program is bringing together sustainability champions from business schools and corporations across Australia in a collaborative process of learning-based change.
You can download a project description for 'Partnering corporations and business schools' (PDF file).
Recently Completed Projects
Assessing the effectiveness of coastal management education
Australia's coastal areas are a vital part of the nation's identity and an integral part of' the lives of its people. Yet our coast is facing many threats, and its management is challenged by a series of complex factors, including demographic and land-use changes, as well as international influences, such as the invasion of marine pests and climate change.
Supported by federal, state and territory policies and programs, a number of local government and non-government organisations across Australia have developed coastal management education programs targeting a range of stakeholders, from local citizens, students and tourists, to industry and management professionals. While effective education programs are critical to improving coastal management, the current programs have varying success.
This research study, funded by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, considered the current effectiveness of various coastal management education approaches through a review of case studies and experiences throughout Australia, as well as selected international locations. The reviews were combined with a synthesis of literature on how education programs can most effectively promote not only awareness, but also participation and action to improve stewardship and management of the coast.
You can download a copy of the full report here (PDF)
You can also download a summary brochure of the report here (PDF)
Online assessment tool
Underpinned by this research, ARIES has developed an interactive online tool. The tool identifies critical factors for the success of coastal management education programs and is intended to help coastal managers, planners and educators assess the effectiveness of their existing education programs and to design and develop future programs that can effectively contribute to changes in coastal management in Australia.
You can go to the online assessment tool here.
Wortman D, Cooke K, Hebert K and Tilbury D (2006) Assessing Provision and Effectiveness of Coastal Management Education. Canberra: The Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources and the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES). ISBN: 1 74318 171 1
Mentoring Local Government in Education for Sustainability
Mentoring is increasingly being recognised as a useful tool to support the shift towards learning for sustainability.
ARIES was funded by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to undertake a mentoring program with selected local governments across Australia to build their capacity to use education and learning-based strategies for change towards sustainability.
The project was designed to examine whether mentoring and facilitation is an effective method for local governments to:
- develop understanding and skills in Education for Sustainability
- develop their capacity to use these skills to improve the effectiveness of their own projects
- generate long-term organisational change for sustainability within their councils.
The following design features contributed to the success of the project:
- Local government staff were able to consider how education and learning can assist in the planning and implementation of sustainability policies and programs.
- The project used a mixture of group mentoring seminars and individual council workplace mentoring.
- Workplace action plans were developed.
- Prior support for the project was gained from council management.
- Journals were used as tools for critical reflection.
You can download a copy of the full report here (PDF).
Delgado L, Cerone F and Tilbury D (2007) Mentoring Local Government in Education for Sustainability. A report prepared by the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. ISBN: 978 1 74138 246 4
Online handbook
In addition to improving practice in Education for Sustainability in the participating local governments, the project also developed an online handbook comprising a set of resources for local governments encompassing learning-based strategies for change and community engagement processes.
You can access the online handbook here.
Promoting organisational change for sustainability within the public sector
With sustainability emerging as a management priority, the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources engaged ARIES and Urbis JHD to investigate how to promote organisational change, learning and transformation for sustainability within the public sector.
Eleven Australian Government departments and agencies took part in the project which used a participatory inquiry approach, through facilitated focus groups, allowing the issues to be identified by those who know, work with, and engage with them every day.
The summary report Sustainability in Government: Making Change for Sustainability – Perspectives from the Australian Public Service presents some of the insights and recommendations from the project.
You can download a copy of the summary report here (PDF).
Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (2007) Sustainability in Government: Making Change for Sustainability Perspectives from the Australian Public Service, for the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Sydney: ARIES ISBN 978-1-74138-236-5
Summary report of evaluation by Molino Stewart of the ARIES project Education about and for sustainability in Australian business schools: Stage 2
At the request of the Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Molino Stewart Pty Ltd was engaged by ARIES to undertake an independent evaluation of Stage 2 to verify the project outcomes and learnings that were reported by ARIES, and to identify any additional outcomes and learnings since the project was completed. The objectives of the evaluation were to assess:
- the extent to which the eight key needs identified in Stage 1 had been met and the expected outcomes achieved
- the immediate impacts and outcomes of the project
- the learnings achieved by the participants, ARIES and DEWHA
You can download a copy of the summary report here (PDF).
Guidelines for developing national ESD indicators for the Asia-Pacific region
The decade 2005–2014 is the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) and this project set out to discover processes to help UNESCO Member States in the Asia-Pacific region develop their own systems for monitoring their progress throughout the Decade.
The project was funded by the Japanese Funds-in-Trust and led by UNESCO Bangkok and Macquarie University, with assistance from the Commission on Education and Communication of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
The resulting publication, Asia-Pacific Guidelines for the Development of National ESD Indicators, covers data collection, reporting mechanisms and examples of ESD indicators. ARIES team members, Daniella Tilbury, Leanne Denby and Jessica North, were involved in the writing and editing of the final document.
The contents include:
- Introduction
- What is Education for Sustainable Development?
- United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)
- Asia-Pacific Goals and Priorities for the DESD
- UNESCO National Commissions and UNESCO Offices: Role in Monitoring and Assessment during the DESD
- What is an Indicator?
- Using National ESD Indicators to Assess Progress During the DESD
- The ESD Indicator Development Process
- Collecting New and Existing Data for ESD Indicators
- National and Regional Reporting of ESD
You can download a PDF of the publication here.
You can order a hard copy of the booklet from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au.
Tilbury D, Janousek S, Elias D and Bacha J, Asia-Pacific Guidelines for the Development of National ESD Indicators published by UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, Bangkok, 2007.
Monitoring and Assessing Progress during the UNDESD in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Quick Guide to Developing National ESD Indicators
A quick guide, which gives an overview of the eight key messages presented in the Guidelines, has also been published. It is designed to be used in conjunction with the larger volume so that relevant information can be located quickly.
You can download a PDF of the Quick Guide here.
You can order a hard copy of the booklet from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au.
Tilbury D, Janousek S, Denby L, Bacha J and Elias D, Monitoring and Assessing Progress during the UNDESD in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Quick Guide to Developing National ESD Indicators published by UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, Bangkok, 2007.
For more information about the Asia-Pacific ESD monitoring project go to: www.unescobkk.org/index.php?id=monitoring.
Lowering environmental stress on the Great Barrier Reef
Reef Water Quality Protection Plan: Scoping of issues associated with industry practices
Recognising the significant body of scientific research that indicates the Great Barrier Reef is being harmed by changes in its catchment, this report investigates ways in which changes to land use and land management practices could make an important contribution to lowering the environmental stress on the reef system. The goal of the research was to identify the realities and complexities of farmers' situations and understand the barriers, triggers and support required for change. The study also provides an insight into which approaches to education and learning are likely to be most effective in supporting change.
By engaging farmers in inquiry-based learning, ARIES has identified a number of key issues that may block future progress. The research involved the collection of information but also provided an opportunity for capacity building. Farmers had a key opportunity to reflect on sustainable practices related to water-quality impacts on the reef.
This project was headed by key leaders in this field – Professor Alistair Gilmour at the Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University and Greg Walkerden, Director of Batkin Walkerden Associates.
You can download the PDF report.
You can download a PDF of just the Executive Summary.
Walkerden, G., Gilmour, A. and Taplin, R. (2007) 'Reef Water Quality Protection Plan: Scoping of issues associated with industry practices', Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. ISBN 978 1 74138 245 7
Education for Climate Change Adaptation in the Built Environment Sector
ARIES was funded by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) to engage with professional accrediting institutions in the fields of engineering, planning, landscape architecture and architecture to investigate opportunities to strengthen effective professional education in climate change adaptation. The project is now complete and a public document, which reports on the significant findings, outcomes and recommendations of the project, is now available.
A direct outcome of the project has been the recent announcement by the Federal Minister for the Environment, Malcolm Turnbull, of a $2 million grants program to facilitate the integration of climate change adaptation into education and training for professionals. The grants program will be administered by the Australian Greenhouse Office within the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Applications for grants close on 3 December 2007. Click here to find out more: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/impacts/about.html#professionals
For further information on the project, please contact the Project Leader, Dr Anna Lyth at alyth@gse.mq.edu.au or on (02) 9850 6975.
You can download the pdf report.
You can order a hard copy of the report from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au, or on (02) 9850 8597.
Lyth A, Nichols, S and Tilbury D Shifting Towards Sustainability: Education for Climate Change Adaptation in the Built Environment Report prepared by the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Sustainability in Noosa: A Living Change Case Study
The sustainability agenda is gaining significant ground amongst communities and governments at all levels. However, it is within the realms of local government that most of the progress towards sustainability has occurred. In order to showcase the achievements of one particular local government, a case study was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts on the successes of the Noosa community.
Undertaken by the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES), the case study set out to identify current practice in sustainability in Noosa Shire by interviewing several Noosa Council staff members, the Noosa Shire Mayor, and other community members who have played a significant part in Noosa's sustainability journey. The study revealed a community, led by a strong local council, willing to take the steps necessary to achieve a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable way of life. In particular, the study highlighted a necessity to:
- Plan for sustainability – through plans that synthesise the goals of sustainability and the values of the community
- Engage the community in sustainability – to increase learning and capacity building
- Have good leadership for sustainability – to maintain the course
- Build partnerships for sustainability – to maintain commitment from the community and Council
- Practice sustainability – implement the plans and learn from your experiences. Strive to continuously improve.
You can download the PDF booklet.
Denby, L., Tilbury, D and Cerone, F. (2007) Sustainability in Noosa: A case study, Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage, Sydney: ARIES.
New report available on improving the effectiveness of existing and future air quality community education initiatives.
There
is a wide range of community environmental education approaches used
in Australia but a lack of common education policies guiding the selection
of these approaches. This report provides a review of
current and recent major air quality community education programs
both nationally and internationally to identify those factors
which will improve the effectiveness of existing and future initiatives.
This research was undertaken by ARIES and funded by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) through the Natural Heritage Trust. The report identifies a set of criteria to be met if progress towards more effective air quality community education programs is to be made. The identification of the criteria was based on existing evaluation studies and other literature which underpins current thinking about learning for a sustainable future.
You can download the PDF booklet.
You can also download a PDF brochure of key findings.
You can order a hard copy of the booklet or brochure from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au.
Skamp, K., Bergmann, I., Taplin, R. and Cooke, K. (2006) A
Review of Air Quality Education. Sydney: Australian Research Institute
in Education for Sustainability.
ISBN – 1 74138 178 9
Developing ESD indicators to assess progress during the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
Indicators are becoming one of the most commonly applied monitoring and assessment strategies among Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) practitioners. Indicators give stakeholders an adaptive framework within which to assess and learn about the impacts of ESD efforts avoiding the rigidity of evaluation for accountability or performance purposes.
You can download the PDF booklet.
Whole-school approaches to sustainability: A review of models for professional development in pre-service teacher education
Recognising the vital role that teacher education plays in achieving changes in Australian schools, this report investigates ways in which Learning for Sustainability can be mainstreamed into teacher education. The goal of the research was to identify strategies that could lead to changes within pre-service teacher education. Programs for various parts of the world were reviewed. The report recommends a combination approach as a powerful means of advancing the sustainability agenda within teacher education.
You can download the PDF booklet.
You can order a hard copy of the booklet from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au.
Ferreira, J., Ryan, L. and Tilbury, D. (2006) ‘Whole-school approaches to sustainability: A review of models for professional development in pre-service teacher education’, Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Sydney: ARIES. ISBN 1 74138 179 7
Education about and for Sustainability in Australian Business Schools:
Stage 2
This project completed in September 2006 and involved seven leading Australian Business Schools making change for sustainability. The project used a learning based approach to change management, guided by an action research process to engage and empower senior academics at each business school to achieve curricula and organisational change for sustainability.
The summary document documents the outcomes achieved and the learnings gained by the business schools and is aimed at readers working to improve the interest and/or the capacity of business executives to implement sustainability.
You can download the PDF booklet.
You can order a hard copy of the booklet from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au.
Hunting, SA., Mah, J. and Tilbury D. (2006) 'Education About and For Sustainability in Australian Business Schools: Embedding Sustainability in MBA Programs', Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Sydney: ARIES.
Industry Sustainability Project
This project completed in September 2006 and involved ten major corporate and government organisations making change for sustainability. The project used a learning based approach to change management, guided by an action research process to engage and empower people to implement systemic organisational change. The booklet shares 'Six Insights' into successful organisational change for sustainability gained by the organisations as a result of this project and aims to inspire readers to take action for themselves.
You can download the PDF booklet.
You can order a hard copy of the booklet from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au.
Hunting, SA. and Tilbury D. (2006) 'Shifting towards sustainability: Six insights into successful
organisational change for sustainability', Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Sydney: ARIES.
Education About and For Sustainability in Australian Business Schools
In this study, Business Schools were examined to identify education about and for sustainability in MBA curriculum and short courses. The study identified current best practice from overseas through a benchmarking process which was then applied to thirty-three Australian MBA programs in order to understand how they address sustainability content and teaching of skills for sustainability.
You can download the summary of findings PDF file or the entire PDF report.
You can order a hardcopy of the report from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au.
Tilbury, D, Crawley, C and Berry, F (2005) 'Education About and For Sustainability in Australian Business Schools' Report prepared by the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) and Arup Sustainability for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Industry Sustainability Toolkit Project - A review of sustainability resources for industry
A review of sustainability resources for the business and industry sector was completed in April 2004. International and Australian products designed to engage industry on various aspects of sustainability were examined. The study reviewed products under four key categories: audience, content, format and delivery which translates as the who, why, what and how of existing resources. Key corporate sustainability literature was also studied to expose further considerations in these areas.
You can download the summary of findings PDF file or the entire PDF report.
You can order a hardcopy of the report from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au.
Tilbury, D and Adams, K (2005) 'Industry Sustainability Toolkit Project - A review of sustainability resources for industry', Report prepared by the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) and Arup Sustainability for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Whole-School Approaches to Sustainability: An international review of whole-school sustainability programs
There are a number of nationwide, whole-school initiatives developing around the world that reflect a range of innovative approaches to sustainability. Whole-school programs such as 'Enviro Schools', 'EcoSchools' and 'Green Schools' were reviewed by this study which aimed to examine and document experiences, achievements and lessons learnt.
You can download a pdf version here or order a hardcopy from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au.
Henderson, K and Tilbury, D. (2004) 'Whole-School Approaches to Sustainability: An international review of whole-school sustainability programs'. Report Prepared by the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to Sustainability in Australia
The intention of this study is to provide a snapshot of Environmental Education and its contribution to sustainability across a number of sectors within Australia. The study has resulted in a series of documents prepared by the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
The first volume reviews trends in Environmental Education towards sustainability. As well as defining key components of this area of learning, it examines national strategies from around the world and the frameworks they offer. The other reports in the series consolidate previous studies as well as review programs and emerging trends. They provide a snapshot of the current context and experiences within the formal school education sector, community education sector, business and industry education sector and the further and higher education sector.
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Volume 1: Frameworks for Sustainability
You can order a hardcopy of the report from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au. Tilbury, D and Cooke, K (2005) ' A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to Sustainability in Australia: Frameworks for Sustainability' Canberra: Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) . |
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Volume 2: School Education You can order a hardcopy of the report from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au. Tilbury, D., Coleman, V. and Garlick, D. (2005) 'A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to Sustainability in Australia: School Education'. Canberra: Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES). |
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Volume 3: Community Education
You can order a hardcopy of the report from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au. Tilbury, D., Coleman, V., Jones, A. and MacMaster, K. (2005) 'A National |
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Volume 4: Business & Industry Education You can order a hardcopy of the report from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au. Tilbury, D., Adams, K. and Keogh, A. (2005) 'A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to Sustainability in Australia: Business & Industry Education'. Canberra: Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES). |
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Volume 5: Further & Higher Education You can order a hardcopy of the report from the ARIES Coordinator at ariescoordinator@gse.mq.edu.au. Tilbury, D., Keogh, A., Leighton, A. and Kent, J. (2005) 'A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to Sustainability in Australia: Further & Higher Education'. Canberra: Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES). |
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RESEARCH DIALOGUES: 'Industry and VET Research Forums on Education for Sustainability'
Key stakeholders from the industry and VET sectors were invited to attend a Research Forum on Education for Sustainability held on the 20 th and 21 st of September 2004, respectively. Hosted by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and Macquarie University these events were an initiative of the National Environmental Education Council and the ARIES. Participants were asked to address and discuss critical questions relating to Education for Sustainability, these reports are a synopsis of the findings from this dialogue.
The valuable information shared at these forums assists with the definition of critical research priorities in these sectors. It allows for a broad understanding of the dynamics of the industry and VET sectors, as well as the specific challenges and opportunities for the industry and VET in engaging Education for Sustainability.
Download 'Industry Research Forum on Education for Sustainability' (PDF)
Tilbury, D. and Keogh, A. (2004) 'Research Forum on Education for Sustainability: VET' Report prepared by the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Government.
Download 'VET Research Forum on Education for Sustainability' (PDF)
Tilbury, D. and Keogh, A. (2004) 'Research Forum on Education for Sustainability: Industry' Report prepared by the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Government.
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