Conference paper
Exploring opportunities for reducing education related aviation emissions: An Australian case study
Proceedings of AAEE 2023 Conference, pp.1-9
Australasian Association for Engineering Education Annual Conference, 34th (Gold Coast, Australia, 03-Dec-2023–06-Dec-2023)
Australasian Association for Engineering Education
2023
Abstract
CONTEXT:
With increasing climate change concerns, there are calls for action to urgently peak and tail greenhouse gas emissions globally. The higher education sector is responsible for significant aviation emissions, including academic staff and students who undertake air-travel for teaching and learning. COVID-19 enabled a step-change increase in use of technological solutions due to the challenge of restricted movements, enabling rapid prototyping and widespread experiences of online interactions in-lieu of air-travel. With Griffith University's commitment to net zero emissions by 2029, academic staff have explored ways to reduce aviation emissions in the workplace.
PURPOSE OR GOAL:
This paper presents the evaluation of the range of technological solutions within the university's policy context of reducing corporate aviation emissions, considering implications for engineering education. The authors aim to share the evidence-based enquiry into opportunities for aviation emissions reduction, to support accelerated progress in greenhouse gas emissions reduction programs within the Academic sector overseas and remote immersive collaboration for industry.
APPROACH OR METHODOLOGY/METHODS:
The research involved extensive consultation with the Griffith University community concerning policy initiatives to reduce aviation emissions. A series of semi-structured interviews with ten key stakeholders and a week-long immersive digital discussion with 52 staff using the digital platform Recollective, were conducted. Thematic analysis (NVivo software) was undertaken on the data.
ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES:
The aggregated results of the study were presented to the university, to inform policy development regarding aviation emissions for research, teaching and service activities. There are anticipated teaching and research practice developments at Griffith University that will encourage new teaching technologies, improved online delivery, virtual internship experiences and virtual global mobility.
CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS/SUMMARY:
Given the complexity of the situation, there does not exist an off-the-shelf handbook of technical solutions. While Griffith University is looking to implement climate change policies and there are some initial university appraisals, there is a need for further investigation into existing and emergent teaching and learning solutions to ensure widespread adoption of effective tools. Emissions tracking tools for course work delivery should also be engaged with, to provide an evidence base for evaluating progress on commitments to greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
Details
- Title
- Exploring opportunities for reducing education related aviation emissions: An Australian case study
- Authors
- Savindi Caldera (Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastTim Ryley (Author) - Griffith UniversityCheryl Desha (Author) - Griffith UniversityEmma Whittlesea (Author) - Griffith UniversityBojana Spasojevic Sijacki (Author) - Griffith University
- Publication details
- Proceedings of AAEE 2023 Conference, pp.1-9
- Conference details
- Australasian Association for Engineering Education Annual Conference, 34th (Gold Coast, Australia, 03-Dec-2023–06-Dec-2023)
- Publisher
- Australasian Association for Engineering Education
- Date published
- 2023
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99981898902621
- Output Type
- Conference paper
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