Sixteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

This project had two goals; 1. To develop a project methodology that would lead to statistically significant primary research results for student lead experiments, and 2. Develop projects that if implemented would have substantive sustainable value to the Institute. Project teams of business students immersed themselves in a primary (quantitative) research-learning module focused on sustainability for a single term. The module utilized Nudge Theory to identify methods to make the institute and its surroundings a more sustainable place to live, work and study. Student teams selected issues on (and in some cases off) campus that they perceived to be unsustainable and problematic - and would like to see eliminated; and then were required to develop a Nudge intervention to realize these aspirations. Projects included Nudges designed to reduce pedestrian traffic on campus; reducing the time for students to enter in and out of lecture halls; increasing students hand-washing behaviour after using campus washrooms, increasing the use of stairs over elevators on campus; reducing the idle time of buses servicing the campus by increasing the speed by which students get on the buses; increasing the efficiency of student parking etc. Of the thirty teams who took part in this pilot study nineteen reported statistically significant results, seven of which were deemed substantive and could enhance the quality and environmentally sustainable life of the campus and the surrounding community if implemented.