Transatlantic Symposium on Sustainable Development in Higher Education
TSSD General Information
Monday, October 2, 2023 - Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
Transatlantic Symposium on Sustainable Development: North American and European Perspectives on Sustainability in Higher Education
The scientific, cultural, and diplomatic relations between Europe and its partners in North America are very strong. From a scientific point of view, this long-lasting cooperation has been taking place across a wide range of areas. This also includes the field of sustainability, where North America and Europe are working hand in hand, seeking solutions to the many regional and global problems currently being faced.
Against this background and in order to cater to a wide discussion on the contribution of higher education institutions from both sides of the Atlantic towards a more sustainable future, the "Transatlantic Symposium on Sustainable Development: North American and European Perspectives on Sustainability in Higher Education" is being organized.
As the title suggests, the Symposium will provide an opportunity for North American and European sustainability experts to meet, present their work, interact, and network. As a long-lasting documentation of their works, the experiences of the presenters will be documented and promoted in the book "North American and European Perspectives on Sustainability in Higher Education", to be published by Springer Nature. This is part of the World Sustainability Series, the leading peer-reviewed book series on matters related to sustainable development. All submitted papers will be subject to the standard peer-review procedures.
The Symposium is an unprecedented event, mobilizing the scientific communities in North America and in Europe working on matters related to sustainable development in higher education, in a way never seen before.
Organizers
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Research and Transfer Centre "Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management"
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Office of Sustainability
Co-Chairs
Professor Walter Leal, Head of the Research and Transfer Centre "Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management", Hamburg, Germany
Dr. Julie Newman, Director of Sustainability, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cooperating Partners
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
European School of Sustainability Science and Research (ESSSR)
Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme (IUSDRP)
UK Consortium of Sustainability Research (UK-CSR)
German Consortium of Sustainability Research (DEKONA)
Symposium Goals
The meeting aims to bring together representatives from universities and research organizations, companies, and enterprises from Europe and North America, working on matters related to sustainable development in a higher education context. It also aims at providing a platform for the exchange of information, paving the way for technology transfer and networking.
Furthermore, the Symposium intends to provide a basis upon which European and North American organizations may cooperate more closely in this key area.
Target Groups
The event be will of special interest to researchers, students, project managers, representatives of NGOs, and enterprises working on sustainability in higher education, from Europe and North America. In particular, small and medium-sized colleges, which are not often present at international events, will have in the Symposium a good opportunity to present their work, and for deep interactions with like-minded experts from both regions.
Event Features and Theme Clusters
The Symposium will offer experts from Europe and North America an opportunity to meet and discuss the wide range of approaches and methods which are currently being used -or which will be deployed in the future- in order to further the cause of sustainability in higher education. The experiences of the presenters will be documented and promoted in the book "North American and European Perspectives on Sustainability in Higher Education", to be published by Springer Nature. This is part of the World Sustainability Series, the leading peer-reviewed book series on matters related to sustainable development. The peer-reviewed nature of the book means that contributions to them have been officially counted over the years for promotion and tenure purposes.
The event will be structured around four main theme clusters:
Theme Cluster 1: Sustainable campus operations
Theme Cluster 2: Sustainability and the Curriculum: teaching on, about, and for sustainable development
Theme Cluster 3: Sustainability research
Theme Cluster 4: Community engagement, cooperation
The organizers are happy to consider other topics. Please contact the organizing committee if you wish to discuss an additional theme.
How to attend: Submission of abstracts
Expressions of interest to attend the event, initially consisting of a 200 words abstract outlining the paper and with the full contact details of the author(s) should be sent to the organizing team at: FTZ-Events (at) hamburg (dot) de
The deadline for submission of abstracts is May 22, 2023. Full papers are due by October 30, 2023. The details will be discussed with the selected authors.
Registration and Fees
To offset some of the costs with the organization of the event, a registration fee of US $400/ Euro €395 (plus taxes) will be charged per delegate. The fee also includes the coffee breaks and lunches during the days of the Symposium. The details on how to register will be sent to those authors whose abstracts have been accepted.
For those who submitted abstracts, please register by 15 June 2023 on the Hamburg website
Contact and Further Information
Professor Walter Leal
HAW Hamburg & Manchester Metropolitan University
Germany & United Kingdom
FTZ-Events (at) hamburg (dot) de
Dr. Julie Newman
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Office of Sustainability
Cambridge, Massachusetts
United States
j_newman (at) mit (dot) edu
TSSD - Program
Download the app for Transatlantic Symposium on Sustainable Development at MIT
We are excited to announce the app for Transatlantic Symposium on Sustainable Development at MIT, powered by Guidebook, is now available. With this resource, you have access to the most up-to-date information as well as networking tools.
Get started here: https://guidebook.com/g/tssd2023/
Tap “Download the app” to access the guide on your iOS and Android device.
MONDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2023
Wong Auditorium, Tang Center – 2 Amherst Street, Cambridge
|
2:30-3:30 |
Arrival and Registration |
|
3:30-4:00 |
Welcome notes Walter Leal, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany) and Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) Julie Newman, Director of Sustainability & Lecturer Department of Urban Studies and Planning, MIT |
|
4:00-5:00 |
Joe Higgins, VP Campus Services and Stewardship – MIT’s Commitment to Decarbonizing the Campus Brent Ryan, Associate Provost Faculty of Urban Studies and Planning, MIT |
|
5:00-6:00 |
The Transformative Power of Networking for Sustainable Development: North American and European Perspectives Debra Rowe, President, U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development |
|
6:00-7:30 |
Welcome Reception and light refreshments |
TUESDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2023
MIT Stratton Student Center – 84 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge
|
8:30-9:00 |
Coffee and light refreshments |
|
9:00-11:00 |
Plenary Presentation: Meghan Chapple - Georgetown University, Camille Washington-Ottombre - Smith College, Guillermo Palau Salvador - Universitat Politècnica de València, Jennie C. Stephens - Northeastern University |
|
11:00-11:30 |
BREAK |
|
11:30-1:00 |
Parallel Sessions |
|
1:00-2:00 |
LUNCH |
|
2:00-3:30 |
Parallel Sessions |
|
3:30-4:00 |
BREAK |
|
4:00-5:30 |
Parallel Sessions |
WEDNESDAY 4RD OCTOBER 2023
MIT Stratton Student Center – 84 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge
|
8:30-9:00 |
Coffee and light refreshments |
|
9:00-10:30 |
Plenary Presentation: Julie Newman - MIT, Michael Bossert - Concordia University, Klaus Helling - Trier University of Applied Sciences, Wendy M. Purcell - Rutgers University |
|
10:30-11:00 |
BREAK |
|
11:00-1:00 |
Parallel Sessions |
|
1:00-2:00 |
LUNCH |
|
2:00-3:30 |
Parallel Sessions |
|
3:30-3:45 |
BREAK |
|
3:45-4:30 |
Hand over of best paper awards and closing remarks - Julie Newman and Walter Leal |
TSSD - Local Attractions
Welcome to Cambridge!
Below you will find recommendations for local restaurants and attractions.
Eat and Drink
Area Four is a wood-fired restaurant (featuring delicious pizza and more) attached to a cafe offering gourmet pastries and local roasted coffee. Located at 500 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139. https://www.areafour.com/
Pagu is a James Beard Foundation nominated Spanish Japanese tapas restaurant nearby MIT in Cambridge, MA. Located at 310 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139. http://www.gopagu.com.
Get a vegetarian bite at Clover Food Lab, started by Ayr Muir, an M.I.T. material scientist and Harvard M.B.A. grad. Try their chickpea fritter, french fries with rosemary, or iced coffee. Their Kendall Square location is at 5 Cambridge Center Cambridge, MA 02139.
Flour Bakery and Cafe has yummy sandwiches, salads, coffee, sweet treats and more. A short walk from MIT. Located at 190 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139. https://www.flourbakery.com/
If you’re looking for a fancy cocktail in a hidden upstairs bar, try Brick and Mortar in Central Square - a quick walk from MIT. Located at 567 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139. https://www.brickmortarltd.com/
Yvonne’s restaurant is the former site of Lock-Ober, the fourth oldest restaurant in Boston, before it closed in 2012. Outfitted with jacquard wallpaper, antique couches, and chandeliers, this small-plate speakeasy features eclectic drinks and expansive seating. 2 Winter Pl., Boston
https://www.yvonnesboston.com/about-us/
Events
Cambridge Science Festival - Carnival on Sunday, October 1, 12-4pm at the Kendall/MIT Open Space, 292 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge MA. A full-on family-friendly celebration of curiosity, Carnival is a fabulous adventure playground for inquisitive visitors of all ages. Free and open to all. https://cambridgesciencefestival.org/carnival
Music
A quick bus or shared-ride away in Boston is Wally’s Cafe Jazz Club - a cozy jazz and blues club with nightly performances by students and locals. Located at 427 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118. https://wallyscafe.com/music-schedule/
Museums
Check out the MIT Museum, which hosts collections of technology-related artworks, artificial intelligence, architecture, robotics, maritime history, and the history of MIT. Located at 314 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02142. https://mitmuseum.mit.edu/
Harvard University has a number of great museums to visit, including the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Harvard Art Museums. Located a quick subway ride away in Harvard Square, Cambridge.
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is dedicated to the memory of our nation's thirty-fifth president and to all who seek a new and better world through the art of politics. Open daily, 10-5 https://www.jfklibrary.org/
Located close to MIT, the Museum of Science has interactive exhibits, a dome-shaped IMAX/3-D film theater & a planetarium https://www.mos.org/explore/exhibits
Outdoors
While visiting MIT, a walk, run, or roll along the Charles River is a must - with great views of the Boston skyline, fresh air, and more. https://www.mass.gov/locations/charles-river-reservation
Rent a kayak in Kendall Square and take in great views of the Boston skyline and the Esplanade, as well as other nearby landmarks. This nine-mile stretch of river has no current, allowing for easy round trips. Information at Paddle Boston.
Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park is an urban oasis just minutes from Boston’s city center. Hop aboard a park ferry and discover islands rich with outdoor recreation and sightseeing opportunities. https://www.bostonharborislands.org/ferryschedule2023/
Harvard University’s 281-acre arboretum featuring over 15,000 accessioned plants is open daily and free for all to explore via public transportation at 125 Arborway, Boston https://arboretum.harvard.edu/
With its brick, ivy, cobblestones, and historic style, Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods https://maps.app.goo.gl/CeujLVShAjePUyoj9
Shopping
Medicines, snacks, and personal supplies can be found nearby at CVS drug store, 238 Main Street, between the hours of 7am-10pm.
For visitors seeking a Sunday activity, The SoWa Open Market is one of Boston's largest open-air farmer and artist markets. Visit between 11-4 pm on 10/1. https://www.sowaboston.com/sowa-open-market/
Located 1.6 kilometers from MIT, CambridgeSide Galleria is accessible by a free shuttle service from Kendall Square T Stop on the Red Line. Shuttle service operates: Mon-Fri 6am-9pm and Sat + Sun 9am-9pm https://www.cambridgeside.com/
Assembly Row, a local mixed-use development, boasts over 40 national brands, outlets, and unique shops https://maps.app.goo.gl/L5k5xPb1ZF6Mv8NK8
TSSD- Hotel
Cambridge Hotel Accomodations
October in the Boston area is a beautiful time of year, yet it is also a very busy time of year. Book your hotel early for the best price and to guarantee a room. MIT has secured a limited number of rooms at the Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge, right on the Charles River.
HOTEL INFORMATION
A limited number of rooms, at a discounted conference rate, have been arranged at the Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge. These rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may sell out before the deadline. Early reservations are strongly encouraged. Changes and/or cancellations to hotel reservations should be made directly with the hotel.
Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge (575 Memorial Dr., Cambridge, 02139)
Nightly rates, plus applicable taxes (currently 15.95%): - Single/Double Occupancy: $309 - Triple Occupancy: $329 - Quadruple Occupancy: $349
Deadline: September 10, 2023
Book Online: Click here
Phone: 617-492-1234 (MIT - Transatlantic Symposium on Sustainable Development in Higher Education)