Communities of Practice

Description

The Sustainability Education Community of Practice will bring together higher education professionals committed to advancing sustainability in teaching and learning. This Community of Practice will explore innovative approaches to curriculum development that empower students to address global sustainability challenges. It will also examine how sustainability education can align with the evolving needs of the global workforce, emphasizing cross-disciplinary skills that enhance effective management, foster attentiveness to human values, and strengthen systems thinking.

Davis Bookhart

Davis Bookhart joined Northeastern University in 2024 as Senior Advisor to the Provost for Sustainability and Professor of Practice in the College of Professional Studies. Prior to this, he spent a decade at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) as the founding director of the Sustainability/Net-Zero Office. Before his time in Hong Kong, he served for eight years as the inaugural director of the Office of Sustainability at Johns Hopkins University. Drawing on a multidisciplinary background, Davis holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a Master’s degree in American Literature from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

We are excited to invite ISCN members to join the Sustainability Education Community of Practice.

Description

The Sustainability Governance & Leadership Community of Practice connects higher education institutions dedicated to advancing sustainability through effective governance and leadership practices. This Community of Practice focuses on embedding sustainability into institutional decision-making, policies, and leadership structures to drive long-term change. Members collaborate to share strategies for fostering leadership buy-in, engaging stakeholders, and creating governance models that support sustainability at all levels. Through knowledge exchange and peer learning, participants empower their institutions to lead the way in building a sustainable future.

John Robinson

John is the Co-Chair of the University of Toronto’s Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability (CECCS), where he collaborates with Ron Saporta, the university’s Chief Operating Officer and fellow Co-Chair, to drive sustainability initiatives across the institution. Together with CECCS staff, they focus on transforming the university’s approach to sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement, with a particular emphasis on governance and leadership.

We are excited to invite ISCN members to join the Sustainability Governance & Leadership Community of Practice.

Description

The Sustainability Communications Roundtable brings together higher education institutions committed to effectively communicating sustainability efforts to diverse audiences. This roundtable focuses on developing innovative strategies for sharing sustainability successes, challenges, and goals with internal and external stakeholders. Members collaborate to exchange best practices in storytelling, digital engagement, and brand alignment, ensuring that sustainability messages resonate and inspire action. Through peer learning and the sharing of tools and approaches, the roundtable empowers institutions to amplify their sustainability impact through clear and compelling communication.

Katrin Schweigel

Katrin manages the international sustainability networks for Freie Universität Berlin, where she plays a key role in advancing the university’s efforts toward environmental and social responsibility. With expertise in sustainability governance and institutional change, Katrin works on developing strategies that integrate sustainability into academic, operational, and community practices. Her work supports the university’s commitment to fostering a sustainable future through innovative policies and collaborative projects.

We are excited to invite ISCN members to join the Sustainability Communications Roundtable.

Description

The Sustainability Reporting Working Group convenes higher education faculty and staff interested in enhancing transparency and accountability in sustainability reporting. This group provides a platform for participants to collaborate on best practices for tracking, measuring, and reporting sustainability metrics, considering alignment with global standards and frameworks. By sharing methodologies, challenges, and innovations, participants aim to improve the quality and impact of sustainability reporting, helping institutions communicate their progress and drive continuous improvement in their sustainability efforts.

Jen Crothers

The Sustainability Reporting Working Group is open to both ISCN members and non-members.

Description

The Scope 3 Emissions Community of Practice brings together higher education institutions working to address the complex challenges of measuring, reporting, and reducing scope three emissions. This Community of Practice focuses on emissions from indirect sources such as supply chains, commuting, business air travel, and waste, which can constitute a significant proportion of an institution’s carbon footprint. Through collaboration and the exchange of best practices, members explore innovative strategies for tracking, managing, and mitigating these emissions, helping institutions achieve their climate and sustainability goals.

Manfred Braune

Manfred is the Director of Environmental Sustainability at the University of Cape Town, leading the university’s sustainability strategy across operations, teaching, research, governance, and engagement. With a background as an engineer and green building specialist, he has spent 12 years designing green buildings, followed by 10 years with the Green Building Council of South Africa. In 2019, he joined the University of Cape Town to advance sustainability efforts across the institution.

We are excited to invite ISCN members to join the Scope 3 Emissions Community of Practice.

Description

The Campus as a Living Lab Community of Practice fosters collaboration among higher education institutions to transform campuses into living laboratories for sustainability innovation and research. This Community of Practice promotes the integration of academic research with campus operations, using real-world challenges to test and implement sustainable solutions. By sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices, members aim to accelerate the transition to sustainable campus models, empowering students, faculty, and staff to contribute actively to sustainability goals while enhancing institutional impact.

Michael Bossert

Michael is the Manager of Research Innovation and Business Development at Concordia University’s Next-Generation Cities Institute in Montréal. He leads the development of strategy and research, while building an international network focused on Living Labs and Communities of Practice to tackle urban challenges. Michael drives inter- and transdisciplinary projects, connecting government, private sector, citizen groups, academia, and international networks to transform cities and communities in line with the SDGs, the New Urban Agenda, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Manfred Braune

Manfred is the Director of Environmental Sustainability at the University of Cape Town, leading the university’s sustainability strategy across operations, teaching, research, governance, and engagement. With a background as an engineer and green building specialist, he has spent 12 years designing green buildings, followed by 10 years with the Green Building Council of South Africa. In 2019, he joined the University of Cape Town to advance sustainability efforts across the institution.

We are excited to invite ISCN members to join the Campus as a Living Lab Community of Practice.

Description

The Biodiversity Community of Practice brings together higher education institutions committed to advancing biodiversity conservation and restoration through collaboration, research, and knowledge exchange. This Community of Practice focuses on integrating biodiversity considerations into campus operations, teaching and research, responsible purchasing, and community engagement. By sharing best practices and collaborating on biodiversity initiatives, members can lead impactful efforts within their institutions and the broader global community.

Katrin Schweigel

Katrin manages the international sustainability networks for Freie Universität Berlin, where she plays a key role in advancing the university’s efforts toward environmental and social responsibility. With expertise in sustainability governance and institutional change, Katrin works on developing strategies that integrate sustainability into academic, operational, and community practices. Her work supports the university’s commitment to fostering a sustainable future through innovative policies and collaborative projects.

Rebecca Rongstock

Rebecca is the Biodiversity Manager for Freie Universität Berlin, where she collaborates with stakeholders to develop a biodiversity strategy that enhances native urban flora and fauna on campus. Her work bridges biodiversity and conservation research with the planning and management of the university’s green spaces and buildings. As a doctoral student with a background in biodiversity, evolution and ecology, Rebecca’s research focuses on the effects of global change on plant and soil ecosystems.

We are excited to invite ISCN members to join the Biodiversity Community of Practice.