Pathways to transformation
Ngā Ara Whetū studies the social, political, and educational pathways to a thriving people and planet. We research teaching, learning, communicating, and governing for a sustainable world.
Broad understandings about complex global environmental issues are critical to transforming our collective responses to the major sustainability challenges. High-quality teaching about sustainability will develop new leadership and pave the way to better outcomes for our society, the environment, and the economy.
Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable World
At the nexus of teaching and learning, research, and external engagement, our transdisciplinary approach develops innovative pedagogical strategies that focus on effective teaching methods of teaching about sustainability. Promising new approaches integrate multidisciplinary content, diverse and critical perspectives, experiential learning, critical systems, values thinking/reflection, and a place-based context. Together, they help develop multiple competencies among learners.
Team
Sally Birdsall, Niki Harré, Alys Longley
+ 20 UoA academics
+ network of external educators in sustainability that includes iwi, schools, and community groups who run environmentally-themed programmes
Current projects / activities
Teaching and learning for a sustainable world: Developing a transdisciplinary network of research and practice
Blythe, C; Harre, N (2024). Trends in interdisciplinary sustainability teaching and learning in higher education: A focus on learner competencies. Ngā Ara Whetū Report 1. The University of Auckland.
Sustainable Development Goals
Teaching and learning for sustainability contributes to: SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 Climate Action, and SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals.
Communication, arts, policy and governance
Politics, policy, and communication are at the heart of advancing sustainability and environmental justice. Well-informed leaders and publics help advance policy decisions that are both sustainable and just. Our researchers study the sociological, historical, and political contexts of sustainability to understand the barriers and possibilities for advancing holistic solutions for people and the environment. Factors include political systems, structures, trust, communication, and inoculation from the infodemic of mis- and disinformation.
Our Role
Our teams of natural and social scientists collaborate to understand the barriers to sustainability and to translate environmental science into sustainable policy and action.
Team
Maria Armoudian, Neal Curtis, Simon Thrush, Manuel Vallee, Quentin Atkinson, Danny Osborne, Gabi Nuri, Tatjana Buklijas.
Current projects / activities
- Communicating complex science, the politics of climate, conservation and extinction, attitudes and opinions, political economy, sustainable business.
- Deliberative democracy & good governance.
- Policy submissions to government agencies.
- Creating and testing media productions: publishing essays, podcasts, thought contests, events, cartoons.
- Planet+People v. Plastics: Exploring solutions to the plastics crisis.
- Energising Aotearoa: What are the barriers to sustainable energy?
- Eco-film festival: Screening works related to the environment, including short films by University of Auckland students and staff.
Sustainable Development Goals
Communication, arts, policy and governance research contributes to: SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 15 Life on Land, SDG 16 Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals.
Indigenous approaches and values
Indigenous knowledge systems, such as Mātauranga Māori, pursue holistic approaches to help solve the intricate societal and environmental challenges we face, both in the New Zealand and broader global contexts.
Indigenous thought brings together ecological, cultural, and social dimensions, laying foundations for comprehensive, culturally resonant, and equitable solutions. Emphasising the interconnectedness of all living things, and prioritising long-term, place-based stewardship of the environment will help address the complex intergenerational impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Our Role
Ngā Ara Whetū supports kaupapa Māori research – led and undertaken by Māori, for Māori, and with Māori. We integrate Māori tikanga (custom) and processes, including engaging with our Māori communities.
Our approach emphasises the need to transcend conventional disciplinary and institutional boundaries, employing innovative knowledge production methods. Central to our methodology is the active integration of diverse knowledge through co-production, triangulation, evidence-based approaches, and scenario building. We integrate Mātauranga Māori, science, policy, and practice.
Team
Māori researchers affiliated with Ngā Ara Whetū include:
Mark Harvey, Meg Parsons, Dan Hikuroa, Nicole Edwards, Jacqueline Beggs
Current projects / activities
Māori mahi and climate change
Sustainable Development Goals
Research based on indigenous approaches and values aligns with: SDG 2 Zero Hunger, SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 15 Life on Land, and SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals.
Contact us
Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland
Auckland 1010, Aotearoa New Zealand
