Ara | Te Pūkenga Master of Sustainable Practice has relevance and reach

_{(Left to right) Beatrice Cheer, Melissa Haynes and Kirsten Taylor were among the Masters graduates in 2023}

Ara | Te Pūkenga Master of Sustainability Practice ākonga (students) can be found all over the country and in all manner of fields.

The programme is designed for individuals who seek to lead innovative problem solving in sustainable practice. It can be studied entirely online, can be full-time or completed part time over four years. It’s a programme on the up and up and ready to attract new recruits for 2024.

Programme Manager Dr David Irwin describes the qualification as the “master’s for all people because sustainability is everyone’s business”. He notes the teaching is truly multidisciplinary and said the fact that students hail from a wide range of cultural and career backgrounds is a key strength of the programme.

“It continues to attract ākonga from diverse backgrounds and disciplines,” Irwin said. “From civil, mechanical and petrochemical engineers to architects, planners, educators, chief executives, conservation and communications professionals – it really is a qualification for all-comers.”

“As such it draws on the research and supervisory expertise of academic staff from half a dozen departments here at Ara, from midwifery to engineering and architecture.”

Irwin said the degree provided a key way for people from all sectors and all walks of professional life to complete professional development. “We find our graduates take their research findings into their workplaces, infusing new sustainable systems, ideas and practice into their organisations or industry.”

Recent graduate Melissa Haynes, whose dissertation focussed on assessing sustainability in the tightly resourced not-for-profit sector, said it was great there was “a qualification that examines sustainability from a broad perspective.”

“I had just completed a communications degree and had become interested in sustainability during that time and once I discovered the master’s qualification, I was drawn to it,” she said.

Another graduate, former brewer Kirsten Taylor, examined the values and drivers influencing sustainable practices in business. She focussed on small and medium enterprises working with plant-based protein.

While the study was challenging - as she expected being at master’s level - she said she’d recommend it to others. “I was keen to broaden my perspective around sustainability beyond just environmental sustainability. I was also interested to see whether the gap between corporate greenwashing and true sustainability could be closed,” she said.

Taylor is implementing her study skills and knowledge in technical sustainability work, impact report writing and further sustainability research for Comms Co-op Aotearoa clients. “After writing my dissertation I’m also interested in mobilising community action to make change, as well as sustainable policy advisory work, particularly related to food,” she said.

Fellow masters graduate Beatrice Cheer’s study explored the desires and expectations of the seaside community of Sumner regarding communication around sea level change.

Cheer started studying part-time while working and eventually dedicated herself full-time. She said while studying online came with challenges, it made the experience more achievable for those who live at a distance or juggle family life, employment and outside interests.

“This postgraduate degree was an opportunity to stretch my academic muscles, gain knowledge and try research techniques that were new to me. Ultimately, I found I could utilise my professional skills and contribute to the growing field of climate change communication,” she said.

She added that she was motivated to become better informed about sustainability and climate change issues because she believed the area of study to be “enormously important to everyone in all areas of life and work”.

“Workplaces, homes and industry are all impacted by climate change as it continues to affect our environment, economy, social structure and cultural identity,” Cheer said.

Ara Executive Director of Academic, Innovation and Research Dr Glynnis Brook said it was exciting to witness the wealth of talent and the range of fields of postgraduate study undertaken at Ara as ākonga seek to advance knowledge in meaningful ways.

“Sustainability is a growing concern for our communities across the globe. Our graduates and colleagues are at the forefront of the demands we face for our future and the future of our children and grandchildren,” she said of the Masters in Sustainable Practice graduates.

“The knowledge, skills and practices explored is invaluable. Their contributions to research that supports and grows sustainable practices is critical to our world.”

Find out more about the programme here: Master of Sustainable Practice - Ara