About this Research Topic

Background

Human progress over the last century has been astonishing, and many countries have significantly improved their well-being levels. However, a deep economic and social gap persists, affecting the most vulnerable groups worldwide (Rosling, 2023). This fact reminds us that we are still far from achieving sustainable development.

In this context, Universities play a crucial role in moving towards a more sustainable future for several reasons: it is a center of knowledge generation and innovation where scientific and technological solutions are developed to address sustainability issues. It trains responsible leaders in various fields, such as politics, economics, science, and technology, and educates professionals and citizens committed to global well-being. In addition to its educational work, it plays an important social role by disseminating knowledge and raising awareness of sustainability issues. It contributes to the development of local communities through sustainable initiatives and fosters international collaborative networks. Moreover, universities create sustainable campus models, drive public policies related to sustainable development through rigorous research, and promote equity and inclusion. For these reasons, it is essential that Universities, together with governmental and scientific institutions, take a leading role in individual and collective transformation towards sustainability (Kopnina, 2020).

Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), Quality Education, is crucial for progress towards the goals of the 2030 Agenda. This SDG aims to increase the number of youth and adults with the technical and vocational skills needed for decent jobs and entrepreneurship. It also aims to eliminate gender disparities in education and training for vulnerable people, ensuring that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development. These include education for sustainable development, responsible lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promoting peace and non-violence, global citizenship, valuing cultural diversity, and building a culture of sustainability. These are some of the critical challenges posed by SDG 4.

Against this background, this Research Topic invites the scientific community to share their theoretical knowledge and best practices in teaching and research related to sustainability.

Original research articles, reviews, and theoretical studies are welcome. Topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

• Teaching innovation and sustainability;
• General and specific didactics linked to sustainability;
• Curriculum and sustainability;
• Sustainable Universities;
• Environmental Education;
• Circular economy in University education;
• Teacher training for sustainable development;
• Artificial Intelligence to implement the SDGs in Higher Education;
• Partnerships to achieve the SDGs;
• Ethical dimension and education for sustainable development;

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Higher Education, Sustainable Development, Quality Education, Teaching Innovation, Sustainable Universities

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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