2 ESD in Practice – Dublin City University Business School (DCUBS)

In this session, Dr Clíona McParland showcases how ESD can be authentically embedded into business education through the Ecotech Challenge, a final-year module in the BSc in Digital Business and Innovation. Developed under the DCU Futures initiative, the module uses a challenge-based learning approach, combining digital and transversal skill-building with meaningful industry collaboration.

Working in partnership with Uisce Éireann, Ireland’s national water utility, students were tasked with addressing a pressing social and environmental challenge: ensuring vulnerable customers have reliable access to clean water during supply interruptions. Over the course of the module, students investigated barriers to service uptake, explored strategies to improve awareness and inclusion, and proposed new solutions to strengthen support for at-risk groups.

What makes the initiative distinctive is the real-world impact of student contributions. Their evidence-based proposals not only informed Uisce Éireann’s internal strategy but were also presented to the national regulator, shaping policy discussions on the future of water services in Ireland. Some recommendations have already influenced public communications and service delivery, illustrating the tangible value of student-led sustainability projects.

Dr McParland emphasises how industry integration, collaborative feedback, and a strong ESD lens enabled students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and sustainability literacy. Beyond delivering a successful project, the Ecotech Challenge demonstrates how business schools can cultivate graduates who are both industry-ready and equipped to make a positive societal impact.