IA20210 Innovation for Sustainability (OL)

Academic Year 2023/2024

"We can’t save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed. Everything needs to change – and it has to start today." Greta Thurnberg

As we face the historic challenge of climate change, the overall aim of this module is to develop your ability to innovate and test sustainable solutions, products, services and new ways of living to ensure a better future for us all.

The challenges of sustainability are increasingly urgent, inherently complex, and beyond the remit of any one discipline, sector or community. Over the course of this module you will work in multidisciplinary teams on a series of activities, projects and real-world challenges drawn from different key sectors (e.g. food, built environment, transport, energy, retail and finance). You will use creative, innovation and design thinking approaches to engage with complex challenges and work in teams to co-create innovative, sustainable solutions.

You will learn about the key challenges in sustainability and explore the potential of human centric design approaches and the circular economy, while developing your innovation and sustainability mindsets.

"I have learned you are never too small to make a difference." Greta Thurnberg



Mode of Delivery:: This module is delivered entirely online in a "Live Online" format.

"Live online" is a highly interactive and dynamic approach to online learning consisting of class discussions, breakout rooms, mini-breaks and team activities and projects throughout the week.

You must be available to attend and participate 9.30am-4.30pm every day of the module and complete any pre-module tasks and post-module deliverables.

Please visit module IA20100 Innovation for Sustainability for in-person options in September (Autumn Trimester) and March (Spring Trimester).


UCD INNOVATION ACADEMY

At the UCD Innovation Academy, we are Educator Practitioners with extensive real-world experience as academics, business and social entrepreneurs, tech thinkers, creative professionals and design thinking practitioners.

Our teaching is grounded in academic rigour. Our focus is on ‘learning by doing’ in a real-world context. Classes include a combination of individual and team tasks and activities, along with discussions, presentations and reflection.

Enrolment on an Innovation Academy module means a commitment to active participation and engagement, which necessitates attendance at all scheduled classes.

“The teaching team generated a spirit of camaraderie among students of diverse academic disciplines and backgrounds. The exercises and tasks have been brilliantly adapted to work in the virtual world, and I found them challenging and engaging.” 2020 Student


Note:
Class Size : We limit our class size to 36 students or less. We require a minimum of 16 participants to ensure enough people for teamwork and a dynamic classroom environment. On very rare occasions, if fewer than 16 registered students register, we will offer students the opportunity to join another class.


www.innovationacademy.ie