Beyond sustainability: Envisioning regenerative futures at University of Limerick
Andrea Deverell, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Futures and Innovation at UL, writes about the future of sustainability
Beyond sustainability: Envisioning regenerative futures at University of Limerick
Andrea Deverell, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Futures and Innovation at UL, writes about the future of sustainability
In the midst of global ecological crises, the call for sustainability has echoed across nations, urging a re-examination of our relationship with the planet. Yet, at University of Limerick (UL), we recognise that sustainability is merely the first step on a longer, transformative journey. It is a prelude to the more profound narrative of regeneration—a concept that transcends traditional environmental discourse and reaches into the roots of cultural, economic, and ecological interconnectedness.
What is sustainability?
At UL, our approach to sustainability is strategic and mission-driven, anchored in the ambitious UL Sustainability Framework. Recognising the interconnected nature of our world, and with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals as our foundation, we have pioneered a portfolio of missions that align with four key pillars: society, economy, planet, and governance. These missions embody our commitment to sustainability as the groundwork for the future — a future that we envision will transition towards regeneration, with the university community at its helm, collaboratively imagining and conceptualising what this profound evolution will entail.
The next phase: embracing regeneration
While our sustainability framework lays the groundwork for responsible stewardship of resources and equitable societal development, UL aspires to journey beyond. Regeneration represents this next ambitious leap — it is about renewing, revitalising, and expanding our capacity to thrive. At UL, we are at the nascent stages of imagining what a regenerative university could look like. It is a collective journey of discovery, requiring us to rethink our roles not just as inhabitants of the Earth, but as active participants in its regeneration.
Futures thinking: envisioning regenerative possibilities
In our quest to become a regenerative university, UL recognises the crucial role of futures thinking. This forward-looking approach involves collaboratively exploring a range of futures (possible, preferable, probable and plausible) understanding potential challenges and opportunities, and actively and iteratively shaping the future we aspire to. By embracing futures thinking, UL is positioning itself at the forefront of educational and societal transformation and building its mental capacity to explore the long-term future.
At UL, our approach to sustainability is strategic and mission-driven
Defining a ‘Regenerative University’
At the heart of our regenerative vision is the ‘Envisioning UL at 2070’ project, a pivotal initiative inviting the UL community and beyond to co-create visions for the future. This forward-thinking project symbolises our commitment to a transformative journey, setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of what a regenerative university could embody. The culmination of this project in a comprehensive report and exhibition will provide platforms for national dialogue, collaboration, and innovation, serving not only as milestones in our journey but as open invitations to all stakeholders to actively participate in shaping regenerative futures. As we actively chart our path forward, a ‘Regenerative University’ as envisaged by UL is characterised by:
- Starts from Place: Recognising and nurturing the unique ecology and culture of our locale, integrating this awareness into our teaching, research, and operations
- Supports Distributed Learning: Facilitating learning environments across our bioregion, enabling education that extends beyond the traditional classroom setting into the community
- Translates Systems Patterns: Engaging in an ongoing process of learning from and contributing to the understanding of complex systems, fostering a deeper comprehension of the interconnectedness of all life
- Advocates a New Worldview: Promoting an understanding of interconnection and inter-being, where the university and its community are seen as part of a larger, dynamic living whole
- Challenges Dominant Economic Models: Encouraging alternative economic approaches that are more aligned with regenerative principles, supporting practices that contribute to sustainable and equitable growth
The human mindset shift: a future-oriented goal
A pivotal aspect of our journey towards becoming a regenerative university is a radical shift in the human mindset. This shift is about evolving beyond seeing ourselves as separate entities dominating nature, to understanding our roles as integral, interconnected parts of the natural world. It is a transformation that requires a re-evaluation of our values, beliefs, and interactions with the environment.
At UL, we are actively exploring how to cultivate this shift through our future initiatives and educational strategies. The goal is to move from a paradigm of exploitation to one of stewardship and coexistence. While still in the early stages of conceptualising and implementing these ideas, we aim to encourage students and faculty to view themselves as partners with nature, interconnected in the intricate web of life.
This mindset shift is not solely about intellectual understanding; it is a deeper, emotional, and perhaps spiritual realignment with the natural world, inspiring a sense of responsibility and awe that is fundamental to regenerative thinking and action.
Embracing regeneration at UL
As we chart this course, we openly invite our community to join us in creating a dynamic, flourishing future, redefining the role of the university in the 21st century and beyond.
