Student Sustainability Survey

Project name: Student Sustainability Survey
Project Lead: Dr. Anna Sabidussi
Researchers:

• Dr. Nikos Misirlis
• Dr. Nasir Syed

Start date: January 2025
Status: Ongoing
Project duration: Until December 2025
Funding: €10,000 (HAN SEE)

The Student Sustainability Survey investigates how students across HAN develop sustainability-related mindsets, behaviours and competencies during their studies. It focuses on students’ values, attitudes, personal agency and perceived capacity to contribute to sustainable change.

The project contributes directly to HAN’s sustainability strategy and supports CIBR’s mission to connect international business, education, and applied research with societal impact

HAN has introduced various initiatives to embed sustainability within its programmes, operations and strategic direction. However, the actual impact of education on students’ development as sustainability-driven professionals had not yet been measured.

This project addresses that gap through a student-centred approach that examines how education shapes students’ attitudes, motivations and perceived agency to act for a more sustainable future.

The project is part of a broader SEE initiative that also includes the Energy Transition Readiness (ETR) Tool, providing a holistic view of sustainability in education—from institutional readiness to individual student development.

This project aims to:

• Measure sustainability-related outcomes among students (environmental, social and economic).
• Understand how education influences students' sustainability mindset, behaviours and perceived agency.
• Provide data-driven insights to improve sustainability integration in curricula and programmes.
• Encourage students to reflect on their own role as responsible professionals and agents of change.
   

The research uses a quantitative survey designed to capture a multidimensional picture of sustainability learning, including:

• Sustainability-related values and attitudes
• Personal behaviours
• Motivations and personality factors
• Perceived agency to contribute to societal change

The survey is conducted across several HAN academies and uses validated instruments to ensure depth and reliability.
Data analysis will provide insights both at academy and programme level, supporting targeted improvements in sustainability education.

The project is coordinated by CIBR in cooperation with the SEE lectorate and HAN’s sustainability research teams.
External collaboration is not the primary focus, as the aim is to analyse internal educational impact across HAN.

Expected results include:

• A clearer understanding of how HAN’s education contributes to students’ sustainability development.
• Recommendations for strengthening sustainability integration across programmes.
• Evidence-based input for HAN’s sustainability strategy and policy decisions.
• A foundation for future comparative studies and longitudinal tracking.

Findings will support both educational innovation and institutional decision-making.

Relevant for:

• Students – to reflect on personal sustainability development.
• Educators & Programme Coordinators – to enhance sustainability in curricula.
• HAN management & policy teams – for strategy and planning.
• External education and research networks – as a model of applied sustainability education research.

Students are the main contributors to the survey.
By participating, they gain insight into their own sustainability mindset and how education prepares them to navigate complex societal challenges.

For more information:
researchcenter.isb@han.nl