Implementing interdisciplinary sustainability education with the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus

Chelsie Romulo; Bhawani Venkataraman; Susan Caplow; Shamili Ajgaonkar; Craig R. Allen; Aavudai Anandhi; Steven W. Anderson; Caterina Belle Azzarello; Katja Brundiers; Eunice Blavascunas; Jenny M. Dauer; Daniel L. Druckenbrod; Ennea Fairchild; Lydia R. Horne; Kyungsun Lee; Marizvkuru Mwale; John Mischler; Emily Pappo; Nirav S. Patel; Nicole D. Sintov; Carla S. Ramsdell; Shirley G. Vincent

doi:10.1057/s41599-024-03332-7

Humanities & Social Sciences Communications (Jul 2024)

Implementing interdisciplinary sustainability education with the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus

Chelsie Romulo,
Bhawani Venkataraman,
Susan Caplow,
Shamili Ajgaonkar,
Craig R. Allen,
Aavudai Anandhi,
Steven W. Anderson,
Caterina Belle Azzarello,
Katja Brundiers,
Eunice Blavascunas,
Jenny M. Dauer,
Daniel L. Druckenbrod,
Ennea Fairchild,
Lydia R. Horne,
Kyungsun Lee,
Marizvkuru Mwale,
John Mischler,
Emily Pappo,
Nirav S. Patel,
Nicole D. Sintov,
Carla S. Ramsdell,
Shirley G. Vincent

Affiliations

Chelsie Romulo: Associate Professor of Geography, GIS, and Sustainability at University of Northern Colorado
Bhawani Venkataraman: Associate Professor of Chemistry, The New School
Susan Caplow: Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Environment, and Society, University of St Thomas
Shamili Ajgaonkar: Professor of Biology and Faculty Chair of Global Education, College of DuPage
Craig R. Allen: Director of the Center for Resilience in Agricultural Working Landscapes, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Aavudai Anandhi: Associate Professor, Biological Systems Engineering Program, Florida A&M University
Steven W. Anderson: Professor, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Northern Colorado
Caterina Belle Azzarello: Doctoral Student of Educational Psychology at University of Northern Colorado
Katja Brundiers: Co-leader Research Group Transformational Sustainability Science, Collegiate Rectorate, University of Freiburg
Eunice Blavascunas: Associate Professor of Anthropology and Environmental Studies, Whitman College
Jenny M. Dauer: Associate Director of Undergraduate Education in the School of Natural Resources, Associate Professor in Science Literacy, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Daniel L. Druckenbrod: Department of Earth and Chemical Sciences at Rider University
Ennea Fairchild: Social Scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Lydia R. Horne: Associate Director of Sustainable Ecotourism and Recreation Programs. Unity Environmental University
Kyungsun Lee: Assistant Professor of Geography, Department of History, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Marizvkuru Mwale: Associate Professor, Institute for Rural Development, University of Venda
John Mischler: Associate Professor of Sustainability and Environmental Education, Goshen College
Emily Pappo: Postdoctoral Climate Fellow, Smithsonian Institution
Nirav S. Patel: Department of Environmental Studies, Binghamton University
Nicole D. Sintov: Associate Professor, The Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources
Carla S. Ramsdell: Practitioner in Residence, Appalachian State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Shirley G. Vincent: Principal and Owner, Vincent Evaluation Consulting LLC

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03332-7
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 17

Abstract

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Abstract Growth in the green jobs sector has increased demand for college graduates who are prepared to enter the workforce with interdisciplinary sustainability skills. Simultaneously, scholarly calls for interdisciplinary collaboration in the service of addressing the societal challenges of enhancing resilience and sustainability have also increased in recent years. However, developing, executing, and assessing interdisciplinary content and skills at the post-secondary level has been challenging. The objective of this paper is to offer the Food-Energy-Water (FEW) Nexus as a powerful way to achieve sustainability competencies and matriculate graduates who will be equipped to facilitate the transformation of the global society by meeting the targets set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The paper presents 10 curricular design examples that span multiple levels, including modules, courses, and programs. These modules enable clear evaluation and assessment of key sustainability competencies, helping to prepare graduates with well-defined skillsets who are equipped to address current and future workforce needs.

Published in Humanities & Social Sciences Communications

ISSN: 2662-9992 (Online)
Publisher: Springer Nature
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: General Works: History of scholarship and learning. The humanities; Social Sciences
Website: https://www.nature.com/palcomms/

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