Exploring Students’ Awareness of Sustainability in Higher Education: Evidence from an Italian Case Study

This study examines the educational context, pedagogical approaches, and curricular content that influence how students in Higher Education Institutions acquire knowledge about sustainability - broadly defined to encompass environmental, social, and economic dimensions, as well as strategies for fostering a more sustainable society. To explore these dynamics, the research adopts a case study approach centred on the Department of Economics, Business, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (DEAMS) at the University of Trieste (Italy) - a highly multidisciplinary department offering a diverse educational portfolio that promotes an interdisciplinary perspective on contemporary challenges. The analysis relies on methodological triangulation, combining documentary evidence from the official DEAMS website with primary data collected through an online survey. The questionnaire - distributed via institutional email to students within the department - gathered empirical information regarding students’ knowledge, awareness, and understanding of sustainability-related issues. The study’s findings are organised along two main lines of inquiry. First, it investigates students’ awareness of sustainability challenges, with particular attention to whether and how the knowledge and skills acquired are applied in practice. Second, it examines the sources through which students access sustainability-related information, assessing the university’s role as a potential intermediary in the transmission of sustainability knowledge and practices.