Environmental sustainability and social justice in Higher Education: a critical (eco)feminist service-learning approach in sports sciences

• Published in: Teaching in higher education Vol. 28; no. 5; pp. 1057 - 1076
• Main Authors: Cuenca-Soto, Nuria, Martínez-Muñoz, Luis Fernando, Chiva-Bartoll, Oscar, Santos-Pastor, María Luisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 04.07.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Athletics; Conservation (Environment); ecofeminism; Ecology; Education; Environmental Education; Exercise; Feminism; Foreign Countries; Higher Education; initial education; Physical Activities; physical activity in the natural environment; Qualitative research; Service Learning; Social Justice; Social sustainability; Student Attitudes; Sustainability; Sustainable Development; Spain (Madrid)
• ISSN: 1356-2517; 1470-1294
• DOI: 10.1080/13562517.2023.2197110

Education for environmental and social sustainability in Higher Education requires a new approach that encompasses both care for nature and social inclusion. Ecopedagogy offers a critical framework within which to provide specific teaching and learning initiatives. In particular, this article aims to explore the effects of a critical (eco)feminist approach implemented through a critical feminist service-learning program. We use a qualitative study with an ethnographic-interpretative approach. The results show an increase in awareness and sensitivity towards environmental education and social justice in the students' understanding, attitude, and commitment to sustainability. Institutional limitations were also detected, leading to a reduction in the opportunities for achieving optimal results that would create a global meaning and a real application of the teachings for sustainability and social justice.