Higher Education

The Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), a Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) signer, will host its XII Annual Meeting of Postgraduate Students from November 6th to 7th in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

Beyond Benign Senior Program Manager Dr. Juliana Vidal will deliver the opening keynote, “Program in Green Chemistry: Catalyzing a Global Change for a Sustainable Future,” on November 6th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. 

As a member of the global GCC community, the Institute of Chemistry at UFF believes teaching students about green chemistry principles is a cornerstone of their formation as future chemists and citizens for a more sustainable world. The department is committed to advancing green chemistry through research, teaching, and promoting societal engagement.

We are living in a moment of extraordinary change. With sustainability under pressure across sectors – educators and practitioners face both crisis and opportunity. Building on the successes of the 2023 and 2024 Forums, the virtual 2025 Sustainability Education Forum (SEF) on June 5 & 6 invites you to come together not just to exchange ideas, but to step into a deeper role: as catalysts and bold leaders. Together, we’ll share strategies, strengthen our schools and institutions, and shape the future of sustainability education in practical ways.

Our community is grappling with rising anxiety, political backlash, and systemic barriers to sustainability, climate and justice work. Additionally, educators are seeing growing pressures—from budget concerns and political debates to generational shifts in student expectations. This forum is your space to tackle that reality head-on—with courage, creativity, and collective insight. The SEF 2025 is not just a conference—it’s a space for authentic conversations, creative problem-solving, and meaningful collaboration where you set the agenda. Using a dynamic, participant-led model, you’ll choose the conversations that matter most, connect with peers, co-create solutions in real time and walk away with new tools and ideas ready to implement.

What to Expect

• Two days of highly participatory, peer-driven dialogue shaped by the needs and questions of the moment.
• Pre-scheduled “Invitation” sessions with speakers addressing climate justice and cultural climate change—anchoring our time together with depth and perspective.
• “Open Space” engaging discussions where you choose the topics—centered on the urgent questions we’re all carrying
• Opportunities to share your insights, ask critical questions, and refine your sustainability education approach
• A global community of like-minded educators who share your sense of urgency and commitment to action
• No travel required—connect deeply, save resources, and engage fully in an immersive online experience!

Who Should Attend?

This space is open to anyone in the sustainability education community:

• Faculty in any discipline incorporating sustainability education
• Educators developing sustainability literacy, curricula or degree programs
• Sustainability staff supporting academic initiatives
• Instructional designers helping faculty integrate sustainability into courses
• Anyone passionate about advancing sustainability education in higher education

Throughout the SEF, you will have plenty of chances to exchange ideas and make new professional connections, while gaining inspiration and an opportunity to recharge your own efforts. In tough times, strong networks and focused conversations make all the difference. It is these types of connections that serve us throughout the years; they make the hard times manageable and the good times fun. Join us and let’s make some good times — together!

For more information, visit: https://www.aashe.org/calendar/sef-2025/ 

As the landscape of sustainability in higher education continues to evolve, we understand that the changing policies under the new federal administration are impacting campuses across the country. To help our members navigate these changes, and to offer support amidst so much change, AASHE will be hosting a discussion series every Tuesday throughout March. This series will be facilitated by AASHE staff and board leadership, and will offer a space for members to come together, discuss challenges, share insights, and explore how AASHE can best support campuses in these challenging times. While we may not have clear solutions, being in community with sustainability change agents will hopefully create an opportunity for collective processing and exploration of productive responses. 

• When: Tuesdays in March (March 4, 11, 18, 25)
• Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM (EST)
• Format: Informal, member-driven discussions facilitated by AASHE staff & board 
• Location: Virtual via Zoom (link provided upon registration)

This is an opportunity for all AASHE members to connect, share experiences, and gain valuable insights from your peers as we collectively work toward advancing sustainability and climate action in higher education.