About the Communities of Practice
Communities of Practice (CoPs) are technical working groups open to individuals from GCSE Members that support and amplify education, research, and analysis from higher education institutions to advance the use of science in environmental decision-making across all levels of government. In addition, these groups advance capacity building and increase deeper engagement between GCSE Members and improve the focus, scale, and impact of GCSE initiatives.
The CoPs serve as expert platforms to enable deeper collaboration, work, and research that will:
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Explore and investigate a given field, discipline/program, or sector-specific challenge more deeply based on criteria that might include impact, urgency, risk, opportunity or innovation;
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Engage leading science and policy experts to focus on the issue through collaboration;
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Advance the use of science in policy- and decision-making; and
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Identify opportunities where GCSE can fill a gap and have measurable impact.
Interested in joining or starting a Community of Practice? Please contact membership@gcseglobal.org.
Current Communities of Practice
Sustainability Education
Purpose: Identify the core sustainability competencies and student learning outcomes.
Structure and Participation
Each Community of Practice is led by a volunteer chair or co-chairs. Individuals from all current GCSE Members are invited to participate in a CoP. Involvement in a CoP is intentionally fluid to allow for numerous participants from across GCSE Members and to accelerate growth, maintain dynamic work and discourse, and meet objectives to ensure success.
The CoPs determine work plans and outcomes for a 12-month period. Based on research and group discussions, outcomes might include new findings based on research; position statements/editorials on trends (e.g., sustainability education trend); policy recommendations; and tools/strategies for stronger, productive engagement between the scientific and policy sectors.
Meetings
CoPs meet by conference call at least once every two months and in person at least once a year, when possible. For convenience, environmental impacts, and cost savings, face-to-face meetings are planned in conjunction with other in-person convenings, such as the GCSE Annual Conference and Member Meetings.