Traditional disciplinary barriers are being broken down as part of a new initiative that encourages students to learn outside the lecture theatre.
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Clemency Oliphant, Deb Cleland and Millie Roonie take part in the launch of the Sustainability Learning Community.
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The Learning Communities scheme invites students to form action and discussion groups around a subject of interest, which need not be related to their formal area of study.
Two pilot groups – one focusing on sustainability, the other on politics, ethics, and philosophy – have been set up as part of the initiative from the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (University Community) Professor Penny Oakes.
More than 50 people attended the launch for the Sustainability Learning Community at Bruce Hall last month, which was run by the University’s environmental office ANUgreen.
Organisers said that although the members came from different parts of the University, they were united in a common interest around environmental sustainability.
Hedda Ransan-Elliot from ANUgreen said ideas for the group’s activities will be generated by members, who were asked to make suggestions at the launch.
“It was really positive, especially the last session where people were suggesting where they’d like the learning community to go,” she said.
“Quite a few visionary ideas were suggested, ranging from long term projects involving the establishment of gardens on campus to smaller projects that could take place this semester, such as touring local examples of green buildings."
Some projects will produce work that students can submit as assessable coursework.
Ms Ransan-Elliot said the Sustainability Learning Community plans to organise regular social get-togethers and retreats where experts on different aspects of sustainability will be invited to speak.
The PEP Talks Learning Community was also launched last month, with members sharing an interest in politics, ethics, and philosophy.
Start-up organisers Dr Ben Wellings from the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences and Miriam Gani from the ANU College of Law said the initial participants were drawn from law, science, arts and medicine.
“We want to break down the idea that learning takes place only in formal settings like lectures and tutorials. We also want to encourage students to look at the big picture, and not just to think within the narrow confines of their own discipline,” Ms Gani said.
The PEP Talks group met for the first time at Manning Clark House, where Dr Tom Faunce from the ANU College of Law and the Medical School discussed the importance of interdisciplinarity. Other speakers included the Chancellor, Dr Allan Hawke, and National Europe Centre Director Professor Simon Bronitt.
Ms Gani said group members attended a recent talk by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Sydney. She said members are now planning future activities, including arranging expert speakers on globalisation and health issues, and attending film discussion nights.
“The group is interested in pursuing projects with both an international focus, like the implications of globalization, and a local focus, including issues like youth suicide. These and other interests will direct activities from now on.”
For more information on the Sustainability Learning Community, contact Jennifer McMillin, E: jennifermcmillin@gmail.com
For more information on PEP Learning Community contact Miriam Gani, E: miriam.gani@anu.edu.au
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