How can Higher Education 'build forward better'?
The Earth Institute collaborated with Future Earth Ireland (FEI) on a webinar series addressing the question, ‘How can higher education “build forward better”?’ post Covid-19. The pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges across our societies and economies, upending conventional wisdom in so many ways. But the challenge of transitioning to a sustainable future remains an urgent priority at national, European and global level. The need to “build back better” or, more appropriately, “build forward better”, has become a slogan of those seeking to integrate sustainability priorities into Covid-19 recovery plans. Higher education has a crucial role to play in the transition to a sustainable future. Higher education institutions can lead by example, pilot and showcase best practice in sustainability initiatives, support policymaking and industry with evidence-based solutions and engage generations of learners towards more sustainable ways of living.
The Institute co-hosted the first webinar in the series with FEI and the Royal Irish Academy on Tuesday 23 February at 3pm with a focus on research and innovation. Prof. Tasman Crowe chaired the session with a panel of extensive and varied expertise including Prof. Linda Doyle, Trinity College Dublin and until recently TCD Vice President for Research; Dr. Olga Grant, Office of Government Procurement; Prof. Ana Viseu, University of Lisbon; and Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir, Director of MaREI, University College Cork.
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