Abstract:

Sustainability in Research (Campus Bizia Lab) project, initiated as a pilot attempt within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), exemplifies a comprehensive approach to embedding sustainability principles within both research and educational frameworks. Building upon the successful initiation phase, the project aims to extend its reach to encompass additional research and teaching laboratories within the department.

Grounded in the imperative of sustainable practices, the project objectives incorporate the optimization of energy use, reduction of waste generation, and promoting a sustainability-oriented perspective among faculty, researchers, and students. The preliminary phase achieved significant milestones by implementing strategies to optimize lighting, water consumption, and plastic waste management within research laboratories. Furthermore, it facilitated knowledge dissemination and promoted a heightened awareness of sustainability issues among departmental stakeholders.

In its expanded phase, the project seeks to integrate sustainability principles directly into the educational curriculum, particularly within teaching laboratories. Through initiatives focused on plastic waste reduction, recycling programs, and the promotion of sustainable practices, the project aims to equip students with tangible skills and values essential for addressing contemporary sustainability challenges.

An observation of note concerns the response of the fourth-year students in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree program, who demonstrated recognition of the newly introduced sustainability curriculum, a facet not previously emphasized within their studies. Conversely, first-year students exhibited receptivity to the sustainability initiative, indicating early receptiveness to the integration of sustainability principles into their academic journey. These responses underscore the effectiveness of integrating sustainability education into teaching laboratories, thereby fostering enhanced learning outcomes and a heightened environmental consciousness among future scientists and professionals.

The incorporation of sustainability education within teaching laboratories signifies a significant pedagogical advancement, resulting in enhanced learning outcomes and heightened environmental consciousness among future scientists and professionals.

Through collaborative engagement involving faculty, researchers, and students, the project endeavors to quantitatively assess its impact, encompassing metrics such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and the proliferation of sustainability-oriented mindsets. By integrating research and educational initiatives under the rubric of sustainability, the continuation of the project not only addresses environmental challenges but also promotes a cohort of academicians and professionals prepared to initiate positive change within their respective fields.

Keywords:

Sustainability, Research and Teaching, Energy Optimization, Waste Mitigation, Curriculum Integration, Academic Initiatives.