Ecological Footprinting as a tool for engaging sustainability in the workplace: transforming adult resource-use perspectives in a neoliberal university

Humanity's use of global ecological resources is fast exceeding the earth's ability to replenish them. This thesis targeted organisations, as key consumers and waste producers, to examine adult neoliberal workplace resource-use perspectives. The thesis explores the potential for Ecological Footprinting (EF), as a measurement tool for organisational resource-use, to facilitate transformative learning. Utilising a feminist methodology - interviews with key practitioners and thinkers, and an applied EF workshop with Macquarie University staff, Sydney, Australia - the thesis examines the lived experiences of research participants. Findings are presented at three interrelated scales: individual, organisational and societal. Individually, the thesis found that participants' connections within ecological systems were significantly influenced by their experiences, cultural connections and place(s). Participants were frustrated that organisational power dynamics limited the opportunities and support necessary to make and implement sustainable workplace resource decisions. At the societal scale, transformation of pedagogies and cultural values were considered by participants to be paramount for transforming resource-use perspectives leading to sustainability. The thesis highlights the benefits and challenges of EF as a component of dynamic transformations towards more ecological world views. In addition, finding that cultural shifts and workplace design play contributing roles towards longitudinal change in adult workplace resource-use perspectives.