The stories we tell ourselves and others have never been more vital to delivering our sustainability goals.  

The Scottish post-16 education sector faces a time of major new sustainability drivers - from updates to the statutory guidance to an increased focus on sustainability from auditors and funders. 

Meeting the moment will require significant commitments at all levels and across all areas of campus life. Communicating where we are now and where we need to be through quality storytelling will be essential to building relationships, gaining buy-in and, ultimately, delivering our sustainability objectives. 

That is why we have made storytelling the key focus of our upcoming EAUC Scotland conference.

What is your institution’s sustainability story?  

It is a deceptively simple question. But distilling where we have been and where we are going, what we value and who we are into concise, digestible messages is not as easy as it sounds. If we miss the mark, there are pitfalls – while the right story can inspire action, the wrong one can stunt ambition.  

Across two plenary workshops, award-winning speaker and storytelling specialist Karis Gill (pictured above) will help you develop the tools to answer this question. 

Here is what Karis has to say about the importance of storytelling: 

“Storytelling activates the parts of the brain that facts alone never reach. When we hear a story, our brains release oxytocin, the chemical linked to trust and connection, making us more open, engaged, and likely to remember what we hear. That is why people forget statistics but remember a single human moment years later. Stories turn information into experience, and experience is what changes behaviour. 

In business, stories are up to 22 times more memorable than facts alone and can increase persuasion, trust, and decision-making speed. They help funders see impact, customers feel meaning, and teams understand purpose. When used well, storytelling does not decorate your message, it becomes the message, shaping how people think, feel, and choose to act.” 

The conference 

Most professional roles include communicating with others. But with limited time and budgets for CPD in the sector, technical training often takes priority over development of soft skills. In discussions with our members, we have seen increasing recognition that communication, influencing and change leadership are not “nice-to-have” skills, but fundamental competencies that are central to achieving our sector’s sustainability goals.

Outside of the conference plenaries, you will have the opportunity to explore and develop your institution's sustainability story further in breakout sessions tackling sustainable research operations, financial planning and the statutory guidance update, linking wellbeing and sustainability in teaching, and much more.  

This conference is a unique and cost-effective opportunity to hone your communication skills to improve the impact of what you do day-in and day-out. We look forward to seeing you there.  

The EAUC Scotland conference will take place on 31 March 2026 at Perth Concert Hall. Book now to secure your early bird discount.