Are you interested in integrating sustainability into one of your courses, or developing a new sustainability course? Have you wanted to learn more about how to bring sustainability into your field of expertise and your classroom?Ìý
The Sustainability Education Fellows Program is a cross-campus initiativeÌýthat brings together faculty and students to advance sustainability in the curriculum and pedagogy at McGill as part of a year-long cohort.
Explore what sustainability education entails and review syllabi from previous cohorts through theÌý. You can also gain insights into previous Fellows’ experiences in the program by reading their reflections on theÌý.
Faculty Fellows
Faculty Fellows are McGill instructors from across disciplines who commit to (re)designing a course to infuse sustainability principles into the curriculum, pedagogical practices, and assessment approaches. Throughout the year, Fellows learn how to connect sustainability principles to their own disciplines and courses.
A stipend is available to each Fellow to assist in the revision process, which can be applied towards hiring a graduate assistant to assist in the (re)design.
Student Fellows
Student Fellows are graduate students from across disciplines who will be trained on sustainability pedagogies and how to rethink a course using a sustainability lens.
Student Fellows may be paired with a Faculty Fellow and would be paid to assist in the (re)design of their course.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to participate in the Sustainability Education Fellows?
Applications for the Sustainability Education Fellows program typically open each fall. We encourage you to watch for the call each autumn to apply! However, in 2025, we are excited to announce an exception: the program will follow a calendar-year cohort. When applications are not open, you can join our waitlist by clicking the button below to be notified as soon as registration begins.
What are the program expectations for Fellows?
- Explain how sustainability shapes a course.
- Deepen your worldview of sustainability and how it shapes your professional practice.
- Identify leverage points for changing a course.
- Generate sustainability learning outcomes for a course.
- Select pedagogical practices that build bridges between a discipline and sustainability.
- Integrate holistic and enriching forms of assessment.
- Apply the above learning in designing a sustainability-inclusive or sustainability-focused course.
- Contribute to and learn with a community of peers at McGill working to advance sustainability in their pedagogical practices.
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What are the the Fellow Responsibilities?
Applications for the Sustainability Education Fellows program typically open each fall. We encourage you to watch for the call each autumn to apply! However, in 2025, we are excited to announce an exception: the program will follow a calendar-year cohort. When applications are not open, you can join our waitlist by clicking the button below to be notified as soon as registration begins.
Program Expectations Overview
Participation in the Sustainability Education Fellows program comes with distinct responsibilities for Faculty Fellows and Student Fellows, as well as shared responsibilities for Fellow pairs. Below, you'll find an outline of the key expectations for each role and the collaborative work required to successfully complete the program. Be sure to review the "Important Program Dates" tab for specific meeting times and attendance requirements.
Faculty Fellow Responsibilities
Faculty Fellows are responsible for:
Modifying at least one syllabus to integrate sustainability content or developing a new sustainability-focused course by the end of the program.
Submitting updated course and/or program information to the Coordinating Committee by the program's conclusion.
Sharing any new teaching materials, such as lab manuals or other student-facing resources, under an open license via the McGill .
Presenting their course innovations to their cohort at the conclusion of the program.
Creating a reflective piece, written or otherwise, about the experience, to be shared via the blog.
Student Fellow Responsibilities
Student Fellows working alongside Faculty Fellows are responsible for:
Committing approximately 8 hours per week (paid) to assist with course redesign or development throughout the program.
Supporting the Faculty Fellow in integrating sustainability principles into the course or program material.
Joint Fellow Responsibilities
Faculty and Student Fellow pairs are jointly responsible for:
Collaborating on the integration of sustainability principles into course or program materials.
Attending all mandatory program meetings, including the immersive two-day retreat and other scheduled sessions. Refer to the "Important Program Dates" tab for details on attendance requirements.
Demonstrating progress and sharing outcomes during program presentations and discussions.
What are the Sustainability Education Fellow learning outcomes?
- Explain how sustainability shapes a course.
- Deepen your worldview of sustainability and how it shapes your professional practice.
- Identify leverage points for changing a course.
- Generate sustainability learning outcomes for a course.
- Select pedagogical practices that build bridges between a discipline and sustainability.
- Integrate holistic and enriching forms of assessment.
- Apply the above learning in designing a sustainability-inclusive or sustainability-focused course.
- Contribute to and learn with a community of peers at McGill working to advance sustainability in their pedagogical practices.
What are important program dates?
The cornerstone of the Sustainability Education Fellows (SEF) program is a two-day retreat, offering immersive training led by colleagues from diverse disciplines. During the retreat, Fellows explore sustainability principles, discover practical ways to integrate them into their teaching, and foster a supportive community of peers. Throughout the year, Fellows reconvene periodically for additional training sessions and to share progress updates. Participation in all SEF gatherings is required. Program dates for 2025 are listed below:
|
Event |
Date |
Time |
Location |
|
SEF KickoffÌý(All Fellows) |
April 23, 2025 |
9am – 12pm |
Engine Centre |
|
Student Retreat (Student Fellows only) |
April 30, 2025 |
9am – 3:30pm |
Engine Centre |
|
Spring RetreatÌý(All Fellows) |
May 12 & 14, 2025 |
9:30am – 3:30pm |
Engine Centre |
|
Fall check-inÌý(All Fellows) |
September 10, 2025 |
9am – 11am |
Online |
|
Student work sessionÌý(Student Fellows only) |
September 19, 2025 |
9:30am – 12:30pm |
Engine Centre |
|
Fall check-inÌý(All Fellows) |
October 8, 2025 |
9am – 11am |
Online |
|
Autumn work sessionÌý(All Fellows) |
November 14, 2025 |
10am – 3pm |
Engine Centre |
|
SEF Wrap-Up |
December 9, 2025 |
9:30am – 12pm |
In-person (Location TBD) |
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Who manages the Sustainability Education Fellows Program?
The Sustainability Education Fellows Program Coordinating Committee is:
- Laura Winer, Director, Teaching and Learning ServicesÌý
- Blane Harvey, AssociateÌýProfessor, Department of Integrated Studies in EducationÌý
- Stephanie Leite, PhD Candidate, Department of Integrated Studies in EducationÌý
- Allison Gonsalves, Associate Professor, Department of Integrated Studies in EducationÌý
- Marcy Slapcoff, Director, Office of Science EducationÌý
- Charlene Lewis-Sutherland, Senior Advisor, Faculty Development and Inclusive Pedagogies, Office of the Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic)Ìý
- Jessica Latus, Sustainability Officer, Office of SustainabilityÌýÌý
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For any questions about the Sustainability Education Fellows, please contact Jessica Latus (jessica.latus [at] mcgill.ca).
This program is supported by the .Ìý
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