Circular Role of Higher Education

This edited volume presents a series of case studies and research evidence on how global students contribute to widening the debate on sustainability within Higher Education institutions: by offering their own stories, along with academics and external stakeholders they create a unique context where their diverse backgrounds are combined into a wider learning experience. This environment enables them to return to their communities and provide leadership and support in tackling real life sustainability related issues they may face.This book describes this circular and virtuous process, which we refer to as Circular Education. Through this process, Higher Education institutions are enriching environments and supporting communities and their cultural hubs. Readers will discover how students can add to and learn from this critical dialogue with peers, academics, and external stakeholders.It is of interest for students, policymakers, academics and any other institution and organization interested in promoting sustainability in Higher Education. 

Dr. Lorenzo Lotti is an economist at the University College of London, England, within the Institute for Sustainable Resources. He is currently working as Associate Professor, Director of Education and Course Director. Highly involved in teaching and learning activities, he is the founder of the UCL Sustainability Higher Education Initiative. Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Dr Lotti won several awards related to both teaching and sustainability.Dr Lory Barile is Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Warwick, UK. Lory is an applied behavioural and experimental economist, currently working on bottom-up approaches to inform public policy and promote the formation of pro-environmental habits. Lory maintains also research interests in the field of applied economics education, with special focus on understanding the drivers of students’ awarding gaps and engagement. At Warwick, Lory is Director of a new Interdisciplinary MSc on Sustainability and Climate Change and Director of Widening Participation (Politics Philosophy Economics).