12 Creating an Undergraduate Transdisciplinary Sustainability Course at the University of Galway

Dr Gesche Kindermann describes the development of a university-wide transdisciplinary sustainability module at the University of Galway, designed to ensure all students have an opportunity to engage with sustainability during their studies. The initiative stems from the university’s strategic commitment to sustainability, embedded in its “Learn, Live, Lead” model. Within this, the “Learn” pillar focuses on providing students with knowledge and skills for sustainable development both within and beyond the classroom.

Dr Kindermann and colleagues created a 12-week, credit-bearing module addressing key sustainability topics: environmental and social systems, health and wellbeing, resilience, the built environment, sustainable consumption, the circular economy, innovation, and cultural perspectives. The module is delivered collaboratively by staff from diverse disciplines—including natural sciences, archaeology, political science, business, engineering, geography, German, and Irish studies—alongside contributions from the Sustainability Office and the Students’ Union.

Central to the course is its transdisciplinary approach, bringing students from different programmes together to explore sustainability challenges and co-develop solutions. Assessments include group projects tackling real-world problems and opportunities for cross-disciplinary discussion.

Since its pilot with a single student cohort in 2019, the module has expanded rapidly. It is now embedded in over 100 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across three of the university’s four colleges, delivered both in-person and online to accommodate diverse learners.

Dr Kindermann concludes that while challenges such as workload allocation and timetabling remain, the module has fostered collaboration, innovation, and resilience among both students and staff, and has become a flagship example of ESD integration at Galway.

About the author

name: Dr Gesche Kindermann

institution: University of Galway

Dr Gesche Kindermann is a member of the College of Science and Engineering in the School of Natural Sciences, Earth and Life Sciences at the University of Galway.