Innovative New "Beyond Sustainability Toolkit" Launched

In time for the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, a team of award winning academics have launched a new "Beyond Sustainability Toolkit". 

In 2023-2024, Dr Alessandro Merendino (Queen Mary University of London), Dr Paula Serafini (Queen Mary University of London), Dr Nick McGuigan (Monash University), and Professor Nadia Gulko (University of Lincoln), were awarded funding as part of the PRME Chapter UK & Ireland Innovative Pedagogy Competition. 

Their innovative, interdisciplinary project addresses the lack of engaging SDG-focused teaching materials in business education. Co-created by academics, students, and UK-based artists (Talking Birds), it brings together business management, accounting, and the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) to design a toolkit and playbook of creative, interactive learning resources. The project uses arts-based, constructivist pedagogy to explore the role of CCIs in sustainable development, offering hands-on, student-centred activities that build sustainability capabilities. Aligned with the PRME Impactful Five (i5), it fosters meaningful, joyful, and socially connected learning experiences. Ultimately, it equips students with the knowledge and creativity to drive sustainability in the CCIs and beyond.

Dr Merendino said of the resource, "Working with artists unlocks creativity and accountability in equal measure. The Beyond Sustainability Toolkit transforms the SDGs from checklists into creative challenges, enabling learners to prototype ideas and map regenerative pathways for every industry". 

Dr Laura Steele (Queen's University Belfast), who along with Dr Claire May (University of Lincoln) Co-Leads the Competition added, "The PRME Chapter UK & Ireland Innovative Pedagogy Competition plays a vital role in inspiring educators to rethink how responsible management education is taught. By showcasing creative approaches, it fosters a culture of innovation that equips students with the skills and values needed to address the complex challenges of sustainability and ethical leadership. We are delighted to share the resources developed by Alessandro, Paula, Nick, and Nadia with PRME Signatories in the UK, Ireland, and beyond". 

To download the Toolkit, please click here. For more information and resources from the PRME UK & Ireland Innovative Pedagogy Competition, please click here.