Building a Student Community for Social Change: How Institutional Collaboration and Peer Learning Supports a Strategy for Embedding Sustainability Within Fashion Business Education

This chapter presents the rationale and initial results from an ongoing collaborative research project undertaken by two Fashion Business academics working within UK Higher Education Institutions. Drawing from our expertise as academics specializing in responsible business and sustainable consumption, we have developed innovative pedagogical approaches that support the development of skills and knowledge that will enable our students to become agents for sustainable change. The first phase of our project recognized the value of peer led learning by engaging our students in active learning focused on sustainable business and consumption. The proposed next phase will create an opportunity for fashion business students to collaborate across institutions, sharing knowledge and expertise. Our approach proposes a community of students committed to achieving social change, realized through the development of an online platform as a space for sharing industry insights, career opportunities and the showcasing of student research projects. This is supported with an annual student conference, fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange through business practice and consumer focused research. The focus on student collaboration across Higher Education Institutions will be discussed as an innovative model that can positively embed sustainability within fashion business education. Drawing from diverse student perspectives, our proposed community unites responsible business practice with sustainable consumption, equipping students with the knowledge skills and aspirations to become agents for social change.