How to Use This Course
ModulesHow to Use This Course
This micromodule introduces the overall structure, components, and intended use of the course “Sustainability and Eco-Justice in Everyday Research”. By the end of this micromodule, participants should be able to:
- Understand the structure and logic of the course design
- Recognise the different parts and learning components
- Navigate between micromodules and learning activities
- Use the course materials effectively according to their learning goals
What is this about?
This micromodule explains how the course “Sustainability and Eco-Justice in Everyday Research” is organised and how learners can engage with it in a meaningful way.
It provides clarity on the architecture of the course, the sequence of learning elements, and expectations for participation.
The course is composed of several micromodules. These are short training resources designed for individual self-paced learning which can also be used in class to stimulate reflection on sustainability in research. They consist of highly interactive resources combining different types of material (including videos, recorded mini-lectures, podcasts etc.), which stimulate self-reflection and provide knowledge about fundamental issues, theories and practical approaches to sustainable research.
The micromodules frame research as not only a mechanism of knowledge production but also as a form of practice with material, social, environmental, and ethical consequences. They emphasize that research decisions (such as topic choice and methodology) have real-world impacts on individuals, communities, and ecosystems.
The course is modular, flexible, learner-driven and allows learners to assemble a profile-specific learning pathway that suits their goals. It includes conceptual grounding, system reflections and practical tools to design concrete actions leading to more sustainable research.
What will I accomplish by taking this course?
After taking the “Sustainability and Eco-Justice in Everyday Research” course learners will be able to:
- Explain key concepts and ethical frameworks linking research, sustainability, and environmental justice.
- Analyse how research and innovation contribute to environmental impacts, inequalities, and sustainability transitions.
- Apply systems thinking and intersectional perspectives to sustainability challenges in research contexts.
- Integrate justice-oriented and climate-conscious approaches into research design, methodology, and innovation.
- Implement practical strategies for sustainable research practices in laboratories, fieldwork, technology use, and research culture.
The micromodules presented in the course can be used individually or as part of a profile-specific learning path. By clicking on the filters at the top of the page learners can select their learning profile and be guided through the resources specifically designed for their target group. Specific profile-specific learning paths have been designed for 4 different stakeholders' group namely:
- Researchers
- Students
- Citizen scientists
- Ethics reviewers
The course is designed as a toolbox. This means that learners are not required to take the whole course top to bottom. Learners are welcome to follow the learning paths designed for their target groups but are also given the chance to deepen their knowledge by taking advantage of the other tools present in the toolbox. To find out which modules have been specifically designed for you, please select your target audience via the filtering menu above.
The course in short: What’s in here for me?
The course invites learners to step into the role of the Sustainable Researcher, i.e. a professional who not only understands sustainability as a concept but lives it as a practice. Throughout the programme, you will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to respond meaningfully to today’s intertwined social, environmental, and climate challenges.
The course is organized into four thematic sections that together guide participants from foundational understanding to practical application. Each section contains multiple micromodules that address specific aspects of sustainability and eco-justice in research.
These four domains reflect the professional competence profile of the Sustainable Researcher. This profile was shaped through 28 in-depth interviews and a Delphi survey involving 21 participants ensuring it is grounded in lived experience and collective expertise. The competence profile of the Sustainable Researcher forms the foundation of the course and mirrors the structure of the European sustainability competence framework, GreenComp (Bianchi et al., 2022).
At the heart of this course is the understanding that sustainability is not only about environmental protection. The Sustainable Researcher recognizes the interconnectedness of ecological integrity and social and climate justice. They cultivate reflexivity in their own practice, collaborate across disciplines, engage meaningfully with communities, and approach complex problems with systems thinking.
Learning Progression
The course follows a progressive logic. The mimics the one of the GreenComp (Bianchi et al., 2022) and is structure is organized as follows:
Section 1 – Embodying Sustainability Values
This section contains six micromodules and introduces the ethical and conceptual foundations of the course. It frames key ethical considerations such as environmental justice, planetary health, and care-based approaches that shape responsible research practices.
Section 2 – Embracing Complexity
With eight micromodules, this section explores systemic thinking and the interconnected nature of sustainability challenges. It includes practical exercises and applied reflection tools that support learners in examining research practices while accounting for the complexity at stake.
Section 3 – Envisioning Sustainable Futures
This section consists of six micromodules focused on transformative thinking, innovation critique, and future-oriented perspectives. Participants are encouraged to reflect on alternative research pathways and consider long-term impacts.
Section 4 – Acting for Sustainability
The final section includes five micromodules dedicated to practical implementation. It translates earlier conceptual insights into actionable changes in research culture, infrastructure, and daily practice.
Although the sections are designed in sequence to support conceptual development, each micromodule remains largely self-contained. Learners may engage with them in order to follow the trajectory set by the profile-specific learning paths or select modules according to their interests and needs.
Participation, Reflection, and Completion
Most micromodules include short reflection tasks or applied exercises that allow learners to check their understanding of the content and to connect it to their own context. The responses and results of these tests are not collected by The Embassy. The completion of the tests via The Embassy is meant for self-assessment and not for certification. Teachers who want to use these resources in their trainings for the purpose of certification can embed the modules in their preferred learning management system.
If you are interested in following a formal course and obtaining a certification, please register your interest via the link below.
