CPD in Sustainability

CPD | Executive Learning in Sustainable Development

Overview

The programme equips researchers, policy-makers and practitioners alike with an interdisciplinary repertoire of research thinking, methodologies and practical ways of dealing with complex sustainability challenges to help develop place- and evidence-based responses within their own professional contexts.

It is designed to be relevant across multiple professional settings, including policy, expert analysis and public administration. Participants will address real life challenges drawn from their place-based contexts, to be informed by local, national and international knowledge and best-practice approaches.

Programme's Aims

The programme aims to:

Develop participants鈥� understanding of complex sustainable development challenges and their implications for public policy and public services, drawing on both global evidence and local contexts.
Strengthen participants鈥� ability to analyse complex issues using interdisciplinary, systems-based and creative approaches, and to develop innovative, evidence-informed solutions.
Build participants鈥� capacity to work collaboratively across professional, organisational and disciplinary boundaries to address shared challenges.
Support participants in translating learning into practical improvements in policy, programmes and public services.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the programme, participants will be able to:

Critically evaluate sustainable development challenges and identify interdisciplinary solutions to address local, regional and global priorities.
Apply creative, reflective and design-led approaches to analyse and respond to real-world sustainability challenges.
Develop and assess policy and programme options, taking into account impact, equity, cost, feasibility, ethics, risk and implementation constraints.
Use research and evidence to inform decision-making and adapt practice in response to changing social, technological, environmental and policy contexts.
Design practical implementation plans with clear responsibilities, resources, milestones and measures of success.
Communicate effectively and engage with stakeholders, including communities, decision-makers and cross-sector partners.
Work collaboratively with diverse groups to develop and deliver sustainable and inclusive solutions.

Learning Methods & Organisation

The programme adopts the following teaching and learning methods:

Dialogic seminars with invited experts, centred on facilitated discussion and exchange
Creative, practice-based workshops
Collaborative design thinking activities
Applied projects linked to participants鈥� own Individual Challenge Projects (IPCs)
Structured critical reflection and reflexive writing, including in the form of policy briefs

Key Information

Format: 3 online modules and one 5-day residential module.

Customised Learning: Content and case studies are tailored to each cohort and aligned with the priorities and challenges of the participants' own context

Programme Leads:

Prof Elena Korosteleva (elena.korosteleva@warwick.ac.uk)

Dr Harriet Richmond (harriet.richmond@warwick.ac.uk)

Administrator:

Cher Zou (cher-xueer.zou@warwick.ac.uk)

Modules

Module 1: Behavioural change for circular economy and innovation commons

Module lead: Dr Lory Barile

This module introduces participants to key challenges in sustainable economic development, with a particular focus on circular economy, innovation, supply chains and behavioural change. It uses 果冻传媒's Circular Economy toolkit and real-world examples to explore how participation, co-production, and stakeholder engagement can support sustainable change.

Learning hours:

2 hours online learning
6 hours independent study and application

Module 2: Water security, green transitions and access to the commons

Module leads: Dr Feng Mao and Dr Hita Unnikrishnan

This module explores water resources, energy, green transitions and access to shared resources as interconnected sustainability challenges. Using international examples, it introduces participants to questions of equity, resource planning, innovation and emerging technologies, including AI and big data.

Learning hours:

2 hours online learning
6 hours independent study and application

Module 3: Regenerative Policy Design Toolkit for more sustainable futures

Module lead: Dr Adela Glyn-Davies

This module introduces participants to regenerative and design-led approaches to policy development, research application and implementation. It is designed for both researchers and policy professionals who are interested in how knowledge, evidence and stakeholder perspectives can be brought together to address complex sustainability challenges.

Participants will explore how policy and practice can move beyond responding to immediate problems towards creating the conditions for more sustainable, resilient and regenerative futures. The module will consider how researchers, policymakers, practitioners and communities can work together to frame problems, generate insight and design responses.

Learning hours:

2 hours online learning
6 hours independent study and application

Residential Module: Applied Sustainability Practice Lab

Module leads: Prof Elena Korosteleva Dr Harriet Richmond

The Applied Sustainability Practice Lab provides an in-person space for participants to integrate, apply and extend learning from across the programme. Working with the practice dilemma they have developed through the three modules, participants will test ideas, explore different perspectives and develop an evidence-informed response through collaborative and interdisciplinary inquiry.

The Create-Lab is designed to bring together researchers and policy professionals, creating space for mutual learning across disciplinary, institutional and professional boundaries.

Learning hours:

33 hours facilitated/direct contact learning
7 hours independent/project learning

Building on Proven Approaches

This CPD builds on successful training programmes previously delivered by 果冻传媒. While these programmes were designed primarily for early-career researchers, they used many of the same teaching approaches and learning modules that inform this CPD. The examples below illustrate how these methods have been applied in different contexts and adapted for professional audiences.

ECR Sustainability Training Academy

The Sustainability Training Academy (STA) is an early career researcher (ECR) development programme designed to equip researchers with the knowledge, skills and networks needed to address complex sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Since its launch in 2023, STA has supported early career researchers from a wide range of disciplines to explore innovative approaches to sustainability, build valuable connections, and develop their research and leadership potential. Building on the success of previous cohorts, the 2026 programme focuses on interdisciplinary working, real-world sustainability challenges, and developing the skills needed to generate meaningful impact beyond academia.

STA 2026 | Radical Futures & Interdisciplinary ImaginariesLink opens in a new window

STA 2025 | Enabling Green and Just TransitionsLink opens in a new window

STA 2024 | Water Security and ResilienceLink opens in a new window

STS 2023 | Resilience and Sustainable DevelopmentLink opens in a new window

CENSE Summer School

Delivered in partnership with the CENSE Research Centre at NOVA University of Lisbon, the CENSE Advanced Training Summer School brings together early-career researchers to explore pressing sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary and creative learning. Combining expert lectures, workshops, field-based learning, policy dialogue and collaborative projects, the programme equips participants to address complex sustainability issues and develop impactful research and practice

CENSE - 果冻传媒 Training School (26-31 July 2026)Link opens in a new window