Birkbeck University Of London Experts Awarded For Innovative Teaching Approach

Dr Pamela Yeow and Dr Neil Pyper along with academics from Birmingham City University have been announced as winners in the Seed Funding Competition for Developing Innovative Pedagogic Approaches and Teaching Practices in Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). The Innovative Pedagogy Competition was developed to encourage innovation, experimentation, and impact in PRME-related teaching.

The project, entitled ‘Marine Dumping on UK Coastlines: Raising Sustainability Awareness through a Stakeholder-Oriented Experiential Learning Approach,’ aims to address the recent increase in marine dumping across the south-east of England. Defined as the disposal of garbage, sewage, and other waste and debris into our oceans, marine dumping is an increasing concern in the UK, from both environmental and tourism perspectives.

Working in partnership one local council and their stakeholders, Dr Yeow and Dr Pyper, together with postgraduate students from Birkbeck’s Department of Management, will analyse the complex relationships between the various user groups and authorities involved in the process of waste and infrastructure management and marine dumping. Their project will use the innovative scenario analysis approach, allowing proposed strategies to be stress tested, and provide early warnings if things are not going according to plan.

Dr Pamela Yeow commented, “Marine dumping risks health ecosystems. Through a one-day scenario risk analysis workshop, our project hopes to work with postgraduate students and multiple stakeholders to identify strategies to protect UK coastlines from such risks. The funding will allow for the stakeholders to come together to work toward a sustainable solution. Students will learn a strategic tool that will develop their understanding towards complex problem-solving challenges.”