Sustainable operations
Including waste management, energy management, and biodiversity restoration
All-Ireland conference
Be part of the first all-Ireland sustainability conference for post-16 education.
Join staff from further and higher education to share practical examples of sustainability and collaborate on solutions unique to education in Ireland.
The event is being hosted by Green Gown Award-winning university TU Dublin and sponsored by Re-turn.
Please note that as this is the first time we're running this conference, we have a limited number of 100 places. We therefore recommend booking as early as you can to secure your spot.
Date and location:
10am to 4pm, Thursday 21 January 2027, TU Dublin
Why attend?
Theme: Shared island, shared action: sustainability without borders
Our first all-Ireland conference will focus on the power of collaboration across Ireland's higher and further education sectors to lead innovative sustainability action.
The event will be useful for staff in post-16 education who are interested in, or already leading, projects to embed sustainability into areas such as operations, learning and teaching.
You'll leave with:
Good examples of sustainability practice in teaching, research, campus operations and student engagement. Plus, more knowledge of approaches such as Living Labs
Practical ways you can connect campus, curriculum, research and community impact
A peer network of people who share your interest in sustainability in education in Ireland
Insights, inspiration and reflections: the event is a chance to step back from your day job to think strategically, recharge and respond to sector developments
Speakers
Hear from sustainability experts from:
TU Dublin
Queen’s University Belfast
Belfast Metropolitan College
Atlantic Technological University
North West Regional College, Derry
Eastern Technological University
South East Technological University
More to be confirmed in due course
Delivered in partnership with Re-turn
Re-turn operates Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme. Since launching in 2024, the scheme has made it easier for people to recycle their containers, helping to increase recycling rates, reduce litter, and keep valuable materials clean, separate, and in the right condition to be recycled.
Through its Communities Programme, Re-turn empowers more than 6,000 charities, educational institutions, sports clubs and community groups to raise funds while contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable Ireland. Find out more at re-turn.ie.
Agenda
Please note all times and sessions are subject to change.
Morning
Charlotte Bonner, Chief Executive of EAUC
A panel discussion exploring the future of sustainability post-16 education
Meet other practitioners with a passion for sustainability over your morning coffee
Choose from themed conversations and peer exchange on shared challenges, practical examples, and what’s working across the key areas, helping to set up the afternoon living labs focus
Afternoon
Enjoy a buffet lunch and get to know other attendees
Details to be confirmed in due course
Workshop streams
Explore sustainability challenges and collaborate on solutions in relation to:
Education for sustainability
Including challenge-based learning and living labs
Senior leadership
Hear from a panel of experts exploring the future of sustainability across Ireland's education sector
Sustainability without borders
“Across Ireland, there is so much fantastic sustainability work taking place in colleges and universities, from pioneering Living Labs to innovative curriculum work. We also know that many settings share common challenges.
This event is built around the idea of sharing effective practice across borders. Our aim is for each delegate to leave feeling better supported, inspired and part of the wider sustainability community in Ireland."
Sara Lynch
Head of Sustainability at Queen’s University Belfast, EAUC board member, Ireland branch convenor and conference committee member
A warm welcome in Dublin awaits
"We're absolutely delighted to welcome colleagues from across Ireland to TU Dublin for this inaugural event. Wherever you are on your sustainability journey, we warmly invite you to join us for what is set to be an excellent day of practical learning, sharing and collaboration."
Brian Gormley
Head of Sustainability Education at TU Dublin and conference committee member
"At Re-turn, we're proud to support the very first all-Ireland sustainability conference for universities and colleges. The event will provide a valuable opportunity for university and college staff to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas that can drive progress in sustainability. We look forward to being part of these conversations, while sharing insights and examples of brilliant sustainability leadership from the Re-turn Awards."
Mary B. Dunphy
Brand, Events and Partnership Manager, Re-turn
Learn from the network
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