WVPU hosts ClimateTeach2025 transnational project meeting

By Addi Limehouse

Last month WVPU welcomed 14 representatives from four countries to Palais Wenkheim for the transnational project meeting of the ClimateTeach2025 project.

The meeting was spearheaded by Didem Savoly, Ph.D., and WVPU alumna and staff member Addi Limehouse. Participants gathered to review project progress, share research findings and coordinate next steps for the international initiative.

ClimateTeach2025 was created to improve climate change awareness, sense of responsibility and psychological well-being in undergraduate students in the European Union (EU). To support these goals, project partners are developing assessment tools, digital learning materials, climate change-focused e-content and training programs.

The project also focuses on sharing results with universities and stakeholders across the EU to promote long-term sustainability and broader impact.

So far, among the project's key outcomes is the successful development of a Climate Change Awareness Assessment Tool that measures EU undergraduate students’ knowledge, emotions and behaviors related to climate change. Using this valid and reliable assessment tool, researchers conducted both quantitative and qualitative assessments to evaluate students' awareness and understanding of climate issues.

As the partners enter into the next phase of the project, they will develop, implement, evaluate and disseminate a four-module climate change training program designed to strengthen students' awareness, sense of responsibility and psychological well-being in relation to environmental challenges.

The initiative addresses climate change through a comprehensive approach that connects scientific understanding, personal responsibility and practical application. Undergraduate students will benefit from the project's outputs through expanded learning opportunities and increased engagement with climate-related issues, as well as gain support for the psychological effects that climate change has on this age group.

ClimateTeach2025 also supports priorities related to digital transformation by developing innovative digital learning materials and teaching practices. These efforts help strengthen digital readiness, resilience and capacity while encouraging new approaches to learning and instruction in higher education.

The recent summit at WVPU provided an opportunity for project partners to discuss current outcomes, exchange best practices and begin the project’s next work package. By bringing together educators, researchers and institutional representatives from across Europe, the event highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing climate change through higher education.

WVPU is a nationally certified research institution whose challenging yet collegial classroom environments provide students with research experience and academic skills necessary to succeed in their chosen career paths.

Learn more about this project at climateteach.org.

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