MScSM Students at the STTPA Conference
The Sustainability: Transdisciplinary Theory, Practice, and Action (STTPA) Conference held October 11th-13th, 2023, engaged a diverse group of climate activists, financial analysts, social scientists and sustainability experts, all driven by a common purpose of advancing climate resilience, sustainability and net zero living. The STTPA gathered like-minded individuals from across the globe to address and confront the pressing socioeconomic and environmental issues we face today. Events like the STTPA conference are pivotal in enhancing student experiences as these conferences serve to provide holistic education that goes beyond the classroom, where students are exposed to diverse perspectives, and have the opportunity to meaningfully engage with sustainability professionals, pioneers and visionaries. Given the unprecedented speed at which our world is changing due to indisputable factors like climate crisis, global warming, unrelenting inflation, a widening income gap and human rights issues, the employment of a transdisciplinary approach offers valuable insight to solutions that foster a sustainable and equitable future. Opportunities such as attending the STTPA conference are what make pursuing a Master’s degree with the Institute of Management and Innovation at the University of Toronto, worthwhile.
Specifically, the STTPA Conference offered a refreshing perspective on how to understanding sustainability, educating others about it, and fostering agency, both at the corporate and individual level We had the privilege to listen to and interact with sustainability practitioners from PwC Canada, Siemens Canada, AECON, the World Bank, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Statistics Canada and many other amazing organizations in multiple sessions, on business sustainability topics like sustainability reporting, green innovation, and sustainability communication. Not only did their insights and experiences empower and inspire us, but also demonstrated how an increasing number of organizations, specifically in the private sector, are taking concrete action when addressing climate change and other sustainability concerns. Before joining the STTPA conference, students perceived sustainability as small talk, but as we attended thought-provoking sessions on sustainability reporting, green innovation, mindfulness, and other topics, the sessions underscored its evolution into a significant, disruptive movement to which many are deeply committed.
In addition to attending sessions presented by sustainability professionals, students were also given opportunities to actively participate in various aspects of the conference, including poster projects for undergraduate and graduate research, MScSM Class of 2024 internships, and concurrent sessions. Engaging in projects outside the classroom setting, we promoted the recognition of the practicality and significance of the work that we perform in the real world.
Being an MScSM student is a truly unique and enriching experience. What sets our journey apart is the incredible exposure we receive to the multifaceted realm of sustainability, presented to us through a diverse array of people, perspectives, and academic backgrounds. Within the vibrant community of the MScSM Class of 2025 there are students from health studies, humanities, business, finance and natural sciences who contribute to a multidisciplinary understanding of sustainability. The program offers extensive opportunities, including conferences (such as the STTPA), guest lectures, and networking sessions, which encourage students to step out of their comfort zones, fostering growth and a deeper engagement with sustainability beyond traditional classroom settings. As such, the STTPA plays a critical role in enriching student experiences, subsequently empowering young changemakers like ourselves, to confidently tackle the wicked problems we face today, through a multifaceted approach. Conclusively, MScSM students will emerge as catalysts for change, equipped with a holistic understanding of sustainability, ready to make a meaningful impact.
