Integrating Transformative Learning Outcomes: Professional Challenges of Sustainability Leadership Alumni
2024 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 20 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
The Master's in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) offers a transformative learning experience, yet its alumni encounter difficulties in the professional arena that have not been fully explored. This thesis illuminates the difficulties MSLS alumni face in integrating transformative learning outcomes of the program into their professional lives, their coping strategies, and what could support them. The research involved a mixed-methods approach with 34 survey responses and 13 follow-up interviews. The analysis, based on the typology of transformative learning outcomes, revealed that alumni particularly struggle integrating sustainability leadership practices, tools and concepts. Moreover, they have difficulty sustaining their new ways of being and attributes such as enthusiasm, trust and hopefulness. The main impediments to integration are the absence of a shared mental model or language with others and a working culture that inhibits the exploration of new approaches. MSLS alumni tend to address these challenges by surrounding themselves with like-minded people, developing communication strategies, and cultivating personal practices. The findings indicate a need for transition preparation as part of the MSLS program and self-organized support structures that assist alumni in transitioning into the professional world, integrating transformative learning outcomes, and assuming their role as agents for systemic change towards sustainability.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. , p. 52
Keywords [en]
alumni support, sustainability professionals, education for sustainable development, sustainability leadership, typology of transformative learning outcomes, transformative learning outcomes
National Category
Educational Sciences Educational Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:bth-26401OAI: oai:DiVA.org:bth-26401DiVA, id: diva2:1872933
Subject / course
SL2538 Master's Thesis in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability
Educational program
SLASH Master programme in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability 60,0 hp
Supervisors
Examiners
2024-06-242024-06-182025-09-30Bibliographically approved