Course modules and indicative content
Modules for the MSt Sustainability Leadership are delivered through a combination of online modules, sessions delivered at residential workshops and preparatory materials shared in advance of workshops.
Below is an outline of the current modules and indicative themes. In view of the rapidly evolving nature of the field, please note that the content is subject to change.
Foundation concepts
The programme begins with an exploration of critical global pressures and trends relating to climate, nature, and society - particularly the complex and 'systemic' nature of such challenges - and engages with conceptualisations of what a sustainable future looks like. We establish that such a transformation will necessitate a radical, structural shift from business-as-usual, and build the case for business/organisations having a key role to play in this system-level transformation. Indicative themes include:
Concepts for a sustainable future
- Global pressures and trends
- Sustainability models
- Systems thinking
Economic actors leading system change
- A new narrative for the economy
- Building the business case
- Business leading system change
Leadership capabilities for a sustainable future
The leadership and change curriculum includes a blend of scholarly research into theories of leadership and change, practical exercises and workshop sessions. Indicative themes include:
Foundations
- Leadership characteristics
- Leadership purpose and performance
- Leadership in place/context
Mindsets and practices
- Connected leadership
- Collective leadership
- Creative leadership
- Courageous leadership
- Acting and reflecting on leadership for a sustainable future
Specific leadership responses / levers for change
The programme covers a broad spectrum of leadership responses or 'levers for change' in more detail. We explore the way in which these responses or levers can be deployed to address the most urgent and critical social, environmental, ethical and economic challenges facing the world. Indicative themes include:
Levers within organisations: strategy, governance and culture
- Purpose
- Organisational strategy and business models
- Organisational culture
- Corporate Governance
Levers within organisations: operational practices
- Operational practices
- Human resource management and employee engagement practices
Levers within organisations: corporate philanthropy
- Reasons to engage in corporate philanthropy as part of a sustainable transition
- Modes of corporate philanthropy
- Strategic corporate philanthropy
Enabling levers: sustainable design and technology
- Sustainable design
- Sustainable technology
- Technological innovation
Levers beyond organisations: value chains and collaborations
- Value chains, especially engaging suppliers and consumers
- Collaborations and partnerships
- Communication and stakeholder engagement
Enabling levers: sustainable finance
- Sustainability and banking, including central banking
- Sustainability and investment
- Sustainability and insurance
Levers beyond organisations: policy and governance
- Government policy and regulation
- International governance
Academic skills
The academic skills curriculum includes a blend of taught material, practical exercises and troubleshooting clinics. Indicative themes include:
- Development of a research question
- Academic writing
- Academic literature reviews
- Research methodologies and skills
- Research ethics
Further information
Further details of the indicative delivery periods for both continuous and flexible route can be found in the Masters course modules document. More details of the streams available for the Diploma (stage 2) and how this impacts the module delivery schedule can be found in the Diploma course modules document.