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Partnership for Academic Leadership in Sustainability (PALS)

 

About PALS

PALS, which stands for the Partnership for Academic Leadership in Sustainability, promotes academic sustainability in art and design higher education institutions. We believe it’s vital that creative education places sustainability at its core, preparing artists and designers to lead in shaping a more sustainable future.

 

WHO ARE WE?

PALS is composed of faculty and staff in art and design higher education who are committed to advancing sustainability across partner institutions. Many PALS schools are AICAD member institutions, but PALS is open to all art and design schools. Together, we participate in the Annual Summit and ongoing working group meetings, while contributing to shared resources and collaborative projects. We gain professional connections and relevant development opportunities, and we bring what we’ve learned back to our institutions to advance sustainability within our schools’ curriculum, programming, and materials, contributing to industry-wide impact.

 

VALUES

  • Collective action and community – We harness shared resources and partnerships to embed sustainability at the heart of art and design education.
  • Impact & innovation – We provide an opportunity for member schools to collaborate to address the challenges of global climate change and other key sustainability issues through the power of creativity and an art and design education.
  • Ecocentric over egocentric – The diversity of strengths within our collaborative network cannot be replicated by any individual school.
  • Strength in collective commitment – We uphold the importance of convening as a network to celebrate progress, renew dedication, and build the collective knowledge needed for lasting impact.
  • Active Participation – PALS participants are active collaborators who engage fully—sharing ideas, offering feedback, and helping shape the collective work of the network.
  • Equity, access, and meaningful engagement – We believe in decolonizing approaches that create space for equitable and meaningful participation across our community.

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    HISTORY

    Founded at Pratt Institute in 2010, PALS has brought together a wide network of participants from across the Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD). Since its inception, more than 45 colleges and universities—and over 100 faculty, staff, and administrators—have taken part in the initiative. AICAD continues to sponsor and support this longstanding partnership.

     

    ANNUAL SUMMIT

    The PALS Summit is a 3-day in-person and virtual gathering for faculty and academic staff to connect with the broader PALS network. Participants leave the Summit with ideas, tools, and connections they can bring back to their home institutions to strengthen sustainability in art and design education.

    What Participants Gain from the PALS Annual Summit:
    1. Personal and professional development opportunities – learning, skill-building, and networking experiences
    2. Exposure to PALS activities and initiatives – such as the ongoing working groups, PALS Presents events, and potential funding opportunities- allowing participants to get involved in the broader PALS partnership beyond just attending the summit.
    3. Connection to the PALS community – PALS is the people that show up. The summit allows participants to engage with and become part of the PALS partner community. This community aspect and sense of collaboration is a key benefit of the summit.

     

    WORKING GROUPS

    Working groups meet roughly monthly throughout the year to complete projects of interest and impact. Our current working groups and the topics they focus on include:

  • Pedagogy Advancement – Define shared learning outcomes and values, collaborate across institutions and classes, and implement transformational teaching approaches.
  • Future of Materials – Explore material libraries, biolabs, and curricular innovations in sustainable materials.
  • Intersectional Environmental Humanities & Sciences– Align environmental humanities and sciences with art and design through civic learning, climate justice initiatives, and intersectional pedagogies.

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    PALS PRESENTS

    These semi-annual virtual events showcase the work of our PALS partners throughout the year. We record the showcases so that content and lessons learned are easily shared and accessible for those interested in implementing similar projects in their institutions.

     

    JOIN US

    To join our contact list, a working group, and/or a PALS event, email Carolyn Shafer <cschaebe@pratt.edu>, Natalie Salvador <nsalvador@otis.edu>, and Lauren Goldberg <lauren@aicad.org> and let us know you’re interested.