SETU’s Department of Humanities and the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) funding welcomed Professor Jennie C. Stephens to SETU in Carlow.
Prof. Stephens came to the Kilkenny Road Campus for the launch of her latest book, 'Climate Justice and the University: Shaping a Hopeful Future for All'. The event, held on 12 February, explored how higher education can drive climate justice, foster local empowerment, and shape a more sustainable future.
Addressing climate injustice
The event was co-organised by Dr Niamh McCrea, Senior Lecturer at SETU, and Dr Nataliya Romanyatova, Postdoctoral Researcher in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Digital Transformation and Academic Integrity with SATLE. It featured a discussion on the role of universities in addressing climate injustice and shifting towards post growth models. Prof. Stephens, a leading climate justice expert and professor at Maynooth University, shared insights from her research, advocating for a more action driven and justice focused approach to climate education.
“My book re-imagines how higher education institutions can be more transformative and contribute to communities becoming better prepared for the disruptive times ahead. The goal is to catalyse new and different conversations about how to leverage the power of universities for more healthy, just and stable futures.”
Jennie C. Stephens, Professor of Climate Justice at the National University of Ireland Maynooth.
Challenging convention
Professor Stephens, formerly a Radcliffe-Salata Climate Justice Fellow at Harvard University, has long focused on sustainability, social equity and leadership in climate action. Her previous book, Diversifying Power: Why We Need Anti-racist, Feminist Leadership on Climate and Energy, challenges conventional climate strategies by calling for more inclusive leadership.
Dr Nataliya Romanyatova, praised the book’s storytelling approach, noting that it encourages a fresh perspective on the role of universities in social justice. She said,
“The storytelling approach that Jennie uses in her book opens the reader’s eyes to what climate justice is. It inspires re-imagining our future and a different way of thinking about the role of the university with a social justice mission.”
The launch highlighted SETU’s commitment to fostering meaningful discussions on climate justice, reinforcing the importance of higher education institutions as drivers of positive change.