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Article
Publication date: 14 September 2012

Elah Feder, Jennifer Robinson and Sarah Wakefield

Sustainability initiatives typically operate for a limited time period, but it is often unclear whether they have lasting effects. The purpose of this paper is to examine a…

555

Abstract

Purpose

Sustainability initiatives typically operate for a limited time period, but it is often unclear whether they have lasting effects. The purpose of this paper is to examine a laboratory fume hood campaign, in order to identify factors that might contribute or detract from long‐term change persistence.

Design/methodology/approach

The University of Toronto Sustainability Office ran a fume hood sash‐closing campaign in one building for a four‐month period. The campaign had two components: awareness‐raising, where the safety and energy benefits of sash‐closing were explained through posters, presentations, and a website; and a competition where participants received raffle tickets when their sashes were in compliance during unannounced inspections. Sash heights were recorded six and a half months before the campaign, throughout the campaign itself, and eight months after the campaign. Surveys and focus groups were used to assess participant attitudes and experiences.

Findings

The campaign was effective in substantially reducing sash heights while it was in effect. Several months after the campaign, it appeared that sash‐closing behaviours had mostly – but not entirely – reverted to pre‐campaign levels.

Research limitations/implications

This research does not examine differences in responses across users, and it is possible that the campaign was very effective in persuading some individuals.

Practical implications

When running short‐term behaviour‐change campaigns, attention should be given to strategies that enhance or detract persistence of changes. Competitions and prizes could, perhaps counter‐intuitively, reduce long‐term effectiveness.

Originality/value

Persistence is often overlooked in the design of sustainability campaigns. This paper offers important insights into what does not create lasting change and what might.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

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Book part
Publication date: 14 April 2016

Valmaine Toki

Indigenous peoples are often alienated from their lands and culture. This has arguably resulted in Indigenous peoples figuring disproportionately in the social and economic…

Abstract

Indigenous peoples are often alienated from their lands and culture. This has arguably resulted in Indigenous peoples figuring disproportionately in the social and economic statistics. The right of self-determination is often touted as a panacea to these statistics. The focus of this paper is to rethink the notion of self-determination and examine whether the process afforded by the United Nations Decolonization Committee can assist or whether the sway of State politics and State power impedes this right for Indigenous peoples.

Details

Studies in Law, Politics, and Society
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-076-3

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 13 July 2010

192

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

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Book part
Publication date: 14 May 2018

Eva Schwab

This chapter presents the topic of the ‘new generation’ of upgrading initiatives in informal settlements in Latin America and the rationale for this book, its objectives and…

Abstract

This chapter presents the topic of the ‘new generation’ of upgrading initiatives in informal settlements in Latin America and the rationale for this book, its objectives and research questions, focusing on the issues of spatial justice and public open spaces in informal settlements. It also provides a short insight into the research setting, i.e. the social, economic and physical characteristics of the case study location, Comuna 13 in Medellín, including short descriptions about the three spaces that were investigated in detail. It also provides a brief overview of the research methodology applied.

Details

Spatial Justice and Informal Settlements
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-767-6

Keywords

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore barriers and pathways to a whole-institution governance of sustainability within the working structures of universities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on multi-year interviews and hierarchical structure analysis of ten universities in Canada, the USA, Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, Brazil, the UK and The Netherlands. The paper addresses existing literature that championed further integration between the two organizational sides of universities (academic and operations) and suggests approaches for better embedding sustainability into four primary domains of activity (education, research, campus operations and community engagement).

Findings

This research found that effective sustainability governance needs to recognise and reconcile distinct cultures, diverging accountability structures and contrasting manifestations of central-coordination and distributed-agency approaches characteristic of the university’s operational and academic activities. The positionality of actors appointed to lead institution-wide embedding influenced which domain received most attention. The paper concludes that a whole-institution approach would require significant tailoring and adjustments on both the operational and academic sides to be successful.

Originality/value

Based on a review of sustainability activities at ten universities around the world, this paper provides a detailed analysis of the governance implications of integrating sustainability into the four domains of university activity. It discusses how best to work across the operational/academic divide and suggests principles for adopting a whole institution approach to sustainability.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 24 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access

Abstract

Details

Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Gulf Perspectives, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2077-5504

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Article
Publication date: 23 November 2010

Victoria L. Rubin, Yimin Chen and Lynne Marie Thorimbert

Conversational agents are natural language interaction interfaces designed to simulate conversation with a real person. This paper seeks to investigate current development and…

3958

Abstract

Purpose

Conversational agents are natural language interaction interfaces designed to simulate conversation with a real person. This paper seeks to investigate current development and applications of these systems worldwide, while focusing on their availability in Canadian libraries. It aims to argue that it is both timely and conceivable for Canadian libraries to consider adopting conversational agents to enhance – not replace – face‐to‐face human interaction. Potential users include library web site tour guides, automated virtual reference and readers' advisory librarians, and virtual story‐tellers. To provide background and justification for this argument, the paper seeks to review agents from classic implementations to state‐of‐the‐art prototypes: how they interact with users, produce language, and control conversational behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The web sites of the 20 largest Canadian libraries were surveyed to assess the extent to which specific language‐related technologies are offered in Canada, including conversational agents. An exemplified taxonomy of four pragmatic purposes that conversational agents currently serve outside libraries – educational, informational, assistive, and socially interactive – is proposed and translated into library settings.

Findings

As of early 2010, artificially intelligent conversational systems have been found to be virtually non‐existent in Canadian libraries, while other innovative technologies proliferate (e.g. social media tools). These findings motivate the need for a broader awareness and discussion within the LIS community of these systems' applicability and potential for library purposes.

Originality/value

This paper is intended for reflective information professionals who seek a greater understanding of the issues related to adopting conversational agents in libraries, as this topic is scarcely covered in the LIS literature. The pros and cons are discussed, and insights offered into perceptions of intelligence (artificial or not) as well as the fundamentally social nature of human‐computer interaction.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 28 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 25 March 2024

Free Access. Free Access

Abstract

Details

Women’s Work in Public Relations
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-539-2

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Article
Publication date: 7 November 2016

Alison Munro, Jean Marcus, Katie Dolling, John Robinson and Jennifer Wahl

This paper describes the sustainability partnership between the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia (UBC) and, in particular, the co-curricular Greenest City…

789

Abstract

Purpose

This paper describes the sustainability partnership between the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia (UBC) and, in particular, the co-curricular Greenest City Scholars graduate student internship program, which has been developed by the two organizations. Through the program, UBC graduate students work on projects at the City that help to advance sustainability targets. The paper aims to explore the successes, challenges and lessons learned from the program.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study uses literature and document review, observations, program participant evaluation surveys and project impact survey feedback.

Findings

The Greenest City Scholars program model has contributed to the sustainability goals at UBC and the City of Vancouver and has supported the partnership between the two organizations. The program has grown over its five-year history and is considered to be a central part of the partnership. Breadth of student participants from across the university and high participation from City departments have been achieved. The model is now being adapted to be delivered within other partnerships.

Practical implications

The experiences presented in this case study can help other higher education institutions understand how a co-curricular graduate student work experience program could help to bolster their own sustainability partnerships.

Originality/value

This paper makes a contribution by providing insight into the use of a graduate student program to advance the goals of a university–community sustainability partnership.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 17 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 27 November 2018

Abstract

Details

Networks, Hacking, and Media – CITA MS@30: Now and Then and Tomorrow
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78769-666-2

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