Learning design for impact: a transformative education model for sustainability

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for teaching the principles of sustainability to undergraduate students that focuses on learner engagement and deep learning to significantly enhance sustainability literacy. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws upon a case study of the second-year course “Principles of Sustainability” using the UN PRME Impactful Five pedagogical framework. The study uses document analysis, content analysis, classroom observation and artefact analysis surveys to evaluate student perceptions and student-generated content for engagement, relevance and application of sustainability principles. Findings This paper finds that the UN PRME Impactful Five (i5) pedagogical framework can be leveraged to have a good effect, particularly within the assessment regime of the course. Preliminary feedback indicates significant student engagement, deep comprehension of sustainability issues and high student confidence in their ability to contribute to sustainable development. Research limitations/implications The study is based on data from a course taught for only two semesters, which may not fully capture the long-term effects on student success and employability. Future research should extend the study’s duration to assess long-term effects in sustainability-related fields better. Practical implications The study presents practical methods for educators to implement the Impactful Five Framework in education, aiming to enhance sustainability thinking and practices among students. Social implications The paper effectively highlights essential strategies for integrating sustainability principles into the classroom, ensuring their relevance for students across all areas of life. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the broad applicability of the i5 Framework in diverse educational and social contexts. Originality/value The i5 Five pedagogical framework is a new and innovative approach to undergraduate business and management education. Combined with an interdisciplinary curriculum, the model proposed in this paper represents a novel approach to expanding sustainability literacy across all degree programs.