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Collaborative Leadership for Climate Action

No one group or perspective has the solutions to our climate predicament. Networks of relationships are key to understanding and engaging with complex dynamics. Effective action will require compassion and collaboration, along with healing and dialogue across sectors, disciplines, cultures and systems to steer a more just and equitable transition. This four-week online course explores collective leadership models by challenging individualist leadership paradigms and experimenting with more inclusive approaches.
For more information about this course please contact Professional and Continuing Studies

In this course, we’ll think critically about what collaboration means in the context of complex sustainability challenges like climate destablization and steering transition to a positive climate future. Transition for who? By whom? Who’s included? Who’s excluded? Often centred around the perspectives and voices of a privileged few, how have conventional climate leadership approaches held us back? Collaborative leadership for transition, rather prioritises engagement with those who are most affected.

Drawing from a series of conversations with guest contributors, a range of case studies, readings and other resources, participants will explore models and frameworks for collective leadership while reflecting on and reframing their role in leading collaborative efforts. This four-week intensive course will include a blend of asynchronous exercises, interactive synchronous sessions, and peer to peer learning opportunities. Students’ time commitment in the course includes assignments, readings, videos and participation in online discussion forums.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this course, participants will have:

  • Critically explored the implications for a just transition to positive climate futures
  • Engaged with powerful frameworks and approaches for collaborating with
    stakeholders and engaging communities to achieve meaningful impact
  • Identified collective leadership capabilities needed for transitioning toward positive
    climate futures
  • Questioned the roles of power, diversity and inclusion in leading collaborative climate
    action
  • Applied the concept of biomimicry to fostering and evaluating cooperative relationships

Learner Effort

  • This four-week course will include individual and group exercises, readings, videos, and
    participation in online discussion forums.
  • Each week, participants will convene for a one hour synchronous session online focused on applying the concepts and methodologies explored in each module.
  • The total time commitment will be approximately 25 hours or about 4-6 hours per week.

Live (Synchronous) Sessions:

  • Live (synchronous) sessions will be scheduled by the instructor.
  • Learners will be notified of the time of these sessions in the course.
  • Live (synchronous) sessions will be recorded for learners unable to attend.
  • Thursday, March 30 - 9:00-10:30 am PT (12:00-1:30 pm ET)
  • Thursday, April 6 - 9:00-10:30 am PT (12:00-1:30 pm ET)
  • Thursday, April 13 - 9:00-10:30 am PT (12:00-1:30 pm ET)
  • Thursday, April 20 - 9:00-10:30 am PT (12:00-1:30 pm ET)

Computer Requirements
A week prior to the course start date learners will receive an email from Royal Roads University Professional and Continuing Studies with information on how to access the online course. At that time learners will be encouraged to visit a short orientation website to familiarize themselves with the online learning platform. Learners will find the computer requirements for this course through this link: computerservices.royalroads.ca/computer_equip_requirements.