Dr. Ilias Kapsis is Associate Professor in Law and Director of Postgraduate Studies, School of Law, University of Bradford.
Mainstreaming Sustainability in Legal Education: An Interdisciplinary Approach at the University of Bradford School of Law
Abstract:
As sustainable development becomes more mainstream, the challenge for legal education is to think about this subject area beyond discreet modules but within a wider framework of interdisciplinarity that feeds into all areas in law. This interdisciplinary approach is key to achieving transformative outcomes envisaged by the UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development. This paper provides an overview of innovative approach adopted at the University of Bradford School of Law in embedding sustainable development education across various postgraduate programmes, through the lens of interdisciplinarity. It explores the rationale behind the module design, delivery and assessment, interrogating the extent to which each of these elements enhances transformative sustainable development education among the cohort. The issues are explored from the perspective of both tutors on the module and the students. Furthermore, the paper interrogates the idea of ‘interdisciplinarity’ within the context of forging a shared understanding of sustainability among the cohort. It also highlights the challenges of achieving a shared understanding of the meaning, value and best approaches for achieving sustainable development within legal education, as well as some practices that have been useful for addressing these challenges in the School. It concludes that mainstreaming sustainable development in the legal curriculum requires a critical analysis of the curriculum beyond individual modules and programme levels, and a shift towards integration of students from diverse programmes in the Law School to facilitate deep learning and quality legal and policy responses to the complexities of sustainable development in contemporary business and society.Dr. Ilias Kapsis is Associate Professor in Law and Director of Postgraduate Studies, School of Law, University of Bradford.