Staff and student survey results

Education for sustainable development is the process of equipping students with the knowledge and understanding, skills and attributes needed to work and live in a way that safeguards environmental, social and economic wellbeing, both in the present and for future generations (QAA, 2014).

Sustainability Skills Survey

Each year SOS-UK (Students Organising for Sustainability) carry out a survey of student opinions and attitudes around their university experience and career aspirations. Universities that receive more than 100 responses from their student cohort are able to access the data from their respondents. This enables analysis of student feedback to inform our work in embedding sustainability into the curriculum and wider student experience.

Results from the 2022 survey:

74% strongly agree or agree that the university takes action to limit the negative impact it has on the environment and society.
57% would take a starting salary of £3000 lower than average (£20,000) in a company with a strong environmental and social record.
92% of participants agree that sustainable development is something which universities should actively incorporate and promote
80% agree that being a student at Keele University encourages them to think and act to help the environment and other people.​
77% agree that universities should be obliged to develop student's social and environmental skills as part of their courses.

 

Analysis of the 2020-21 responses has been compiled in to a report along with comparison to some 2018-19 and 2019-20 data to identify trends over recent years. The report was presented at ESSG in January 2021. Download the 2020-21 Sustainability Skills Survey Report.

Keele ESD Surveys

2015

The 2015 Green Week Survey aimed to gather baseline data from the student population at Keele about their perspectives on sustainability and sustainability education at Keele. It also explored students’ and staffs’ views on how they think sustainability relates to their specific subject area. Some of the initial findings from the student survey questions are presented in the Student Survey 2015 Interim Report. A full review of results including the results from the staff survey and questions about disciplinary perspectives on sustainability will be available in the near future. Please note the questions below are based on responses from an average of 268 students per question (undergraduate and postgraduate).

Headline figures
  • Over 90% of student respondents stated that they 'agree', or 'strongly agree' to the statement 'Sustainability is something which Universities should actively incorporate and promote'. Over 50% stated they 'strongly agree'.
  • Over 55% of student respondents stated that they either 'agree' or 'strongly agree' that 'Sustainability is something which all University degree courses should actively incorporate and promote'.
  • Over 55% of student respondants stated that they either 'agree' or 'strongly agree' to the statement 'Sustainability is something which I would like to learn more about'.

In late 2013, Keele University staff were asked to complete a survey focusing on their interest in 'sustainability' within teaching and research, and within University operations. A total of 582 staff members completed the survey, representing 28.1% of all Keele University staff.

2014

Headline figures
  • Over 60% of respondents stated an interest in sustainability
  • There is a slight difference in staff reporting sustainable behaviours at work compared to at home
  • Over 75% of academic staff respondents believed 'we should be developing the sustainability literacy of our graduates'
  • Over 66% of academic staff respondents believe their subject is 'relevant' or 'highly relevant' in moving society towards a more sustainable future

Please find more information in the Staff Survey 2014 Summary