20245: Drivers and Barriers to the Development Competencies for Sustainability in HE (session 26461)

Given the complex context, the development of competencies for sustainability (DCS) becomes increasingly relevant as it equips individuals to address sustainability challenges. In this scenario, Higher Education (HE) plays a pivotal role by preparing change agents for society. The body of existing literature on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has approached the DCS of students and professors. However, the studies focus on the academic staff as a vector to the DCS in students while discussion regarding non-academic staff is scarce. Considering the relevance of HEs' human resources (HR) as change agents toward sustainability, our study addresses this issue by inquiring about the drivers and barriers (D&B) to the DCS in HE's HR. A systematic literature review of 53 articles provided insights into the D&B of the DCS, framing the existing knowledge frontier. In addition, interviews with 40 experts on the topic (20 local specialists - academic staff and non-academic staff -, and more 20 specialists from the five continents gave us a world landscape) about the D&B of DCS. Our findings resulted in a framework that integrates the D&B for the DCS in HE's HR and contributes to the literature by consolidating the key elements that influence the DCS process, specifically within the HE's HR. Practically, the study provides insights for HE institutions to reassess their practices and policies related to the DCS besides shedding light to academic and non-academic staff as relevant change agents towards a sustainable society.

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