A United Nations academic impact global hub: Embedding sustainability throughout a forensic science degree programme

IF 1.8 4区医学 Q2 MEDICINE, LEGAL

Science & Justice Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-11 DOI:10.1016/j.scijus.2026.101404

Leisa Nichols-Drew, Emma Johnston

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established by the United Nations to improve lives around the world [1]. The SDGs have a focus on cultural, ethical, environmental and social issues, as well as lifelong learning, reduced inequalities, wellbeing, and health. De Montfort University (DMU) is the only higher education institution in the United Kingdom to be a designated global United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) hub for a Sustainable Development Goal. DMU is the hub for SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; with a commitment to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

In this case study of our professional practice, we showcase examples of how Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is embedded into the forensic science programme at DMU. This includes results from a small-scale pedagogic research study which explored the use of six sustainability themes to communicate ESD. Findings suggest that ESD needs to be related, and aligned, to specific subject areas e.g., forensic science, for it to translate to students and be transformative. In addition, we present a discussion of the successful DMUglobal initiative which provides international experiences for forensic science students. We situate this practice within the literature on the pedagogy of international field trips and consider the sustainability and inclusivity implications. Further synchronous and asynchronous SDG activities are outlined, alongside future plans. We hope that the examples presented here will be useful to colleagues delivering forensic science education in considering how they can make their practice more sustainable and inclusive.

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联合国学术影响全球中心：将可持续性贯穿于法医科学学位课程

17项可持续发展目标（sdg）是由联合国制定的，旨在改善世界各地的生活。可持续发展目标关注文化、道德、环境和社会问题，以及终身学习、减少不平等、福祉和健康。德蒙福特大学（DMU）是英国唯一一所被指定为联合国可持续发展目标全球学术影响（UNAI）中心的高等教育机构。DMU是可持续发展目标11：可持续城市和社区的中心；致力于使城市和人类住区具有包容性、安全性、抗灾能力和可持续性。在我们的专业实践案例研究中，我们展示了可持续发展教育（ESD）如何融入DMU的法医学课程。这包括一项小型教学研究的结果，该研究探索了使用六个可持续发展主题来传播可持续发展教育。研究结果表明，可持续发展教育需要与特定的学科领域（如法医科学）相关并保持一致，以便将其转化为学生并具有变革性。此外，我们还讨论了成功的DMUglobal倡议，该倡议为法医学学生提供了国际经验。我们将这种做法置于国际实地考察教学法的文献中，并考虑其可持续性和包容性含义。报告概述了进一步的同步和异步可持续发展目标活动，以及未来计划。我们希望在此提供的例子能对从事法医学教育的同事有所帮助，以考虑如何使他们的实践更具可持续性和包容性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Science & Justice 医学-病理学

CiteScore

4.20

自引率

15.80%

发文量

审稿时长

81 days

期刊介绍： Science & Justice provides a forum to promote communication and publication of original articles, reviews and correspondence on subjects that spark debates within the Forensic Science Community and the criminal justice sector. The journal provides a medium whereby all aspects of applying science to legal proceedings can be debated and progressed. Science & Justice is published six times a year, and will be of interest primarily to practising forensic scientists and their colleagues in related fields. It is chiefly concerned with the publication of formal scientific papers, in keeping with its international learned status, but will not accept any article describing experimentation on animals which does not meet strict ethical standards. Promote communication and informed debate within the Forensic Science Community and the criminal justice sector. To promote the publication of learned and original research findings from all areas of the forensic sciences and by so doing to advance the profession. To promote the publication of case based material by way of case reviews. To promote the publication of conference proceedings which are of interest to the forensic science community. To provide a medium whereby all aspects of applying science to legal proceedings can be debated and progressed. To appeal to all those with an interest in the forensic sciences.