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SUST20010

Academic Year 2026/2027

Sustainability: Research Tools (SUST20010)

Subject:
Sustainability
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Geography
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Shane Mc Guinness
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module builds on the foundational knowledge built through Introductions to Sustainability (SUST10010) and introduces the pragmatic research theory and practice required to effectively study global sustainability challenges. This includes natural- and social-science techniques across quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodologies. This will be supplemented by a common strand of innovation and creative problem solving throughout.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
• Apply the theory of sustainability to identify and analyse real-world sustainability challenges
• Adopt appropriate quantitative or qualitative data collection and analysis tools, or a mix thereof, to find a solution to these challenges
• Collaborate in a team setting to address a real-world sustainability challenge, synthesise findings and communicate these effectively.
• Think creatively about sustainability challenges and approach solution-building with empathy.

Indicative Module Content:

• Mixed methods research
• Creativity and innovation
• Systems and Design thinking
• Biotic data collection and interpretation
• Socio-economic quantification: data sourcing, reliability, interpretation
• Qualitative methods: interviews, questionnaire, focus groups, etc.
• Analysing and interpreting qualitative data
• Problem-based learning

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

End poverty in all its forms everywhere 4

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture 3

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 4

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 4

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 4

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 4

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 4

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 4

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 3

Reduce inequality within and among countries 5

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 5

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 5

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 5

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 5

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 5

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 3

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development 5
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Lectures

30
Small Group

10
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module consists of lectures, small group work, and self-directed tasks. Lectures will demonstrate actionable methods for use, but also contextualise these in contemporary research applications through a select number of case studies by guest lectures. This is designed to introduce key research tools for sustainability, demonstrate pragmatic cases in applying these, and encourage innovative thought in generating mixed methods research applications where appropriate.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Sustainability: Research Tools (GEOG20240)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Designing a Research Project Week 8 Graded No
30
 No
Exam (Online): Online timed MCQ Week 14 Graded No
30
 No
Group Work Assignment: Small group communication tool Week 10 Graded No
40
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

General group feedback will be provided post-assessment of stakeholder mapping exercise. Small group feedback will be given on group presentations along with peer-review. Individual feedback will be provided on final PBL report, along with anonymous peer performance review. Finally, online automated feedback will be given on the final MCQ.

Name Role
Professor Tasman Crowe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Ainhoa Gonzalez Del Campo Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Adam Kane Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Orla Kelly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
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