VetSustain Curriculum Working Group: Past, Present and Future

Background: VetSustain is a multidisciplinary group of veterinary professionals with a passion for sustainability and how the profession can influence changes. VetSustain has identified six main sustainability goals to highlight the ways that veterinary professionals can, and do, and play a key role in addressing the challenges facing society. In order to achieve these goals, four working groups were created: Food and Farming, Greener Veterinary Practice, Communications and Network Engagement and Vet Curriculum. Sustainability is an essential aspect of the veterinary curriculum, expected by vet students and society in response to the climate emergency. There are also the challenges for all involved including lack of time, management support and general uncertainty of what needs to be covered in an already intense curriculum. This group provides a space to share experiences and support actions. Summary of work: The group has representatives from the majority of UK veterinary schools and the RCVS, including a range of discipline experts from cardiology to veterinary public health. The group meets regularly to discuss sustainability in Schools, campuses and curricula. Topics discussed include the tools and approaches taken and actions include presentations and workshops. Staff and students have emailed for advice about setting up similar groups in their institution, guests have attended meetings and the group has presented remotely to non-UK institutions. Speakers have attended meetings to showcase their research on how to implement sustainability in the curriculum. Members share these ideas with their local groups and report back on what works well. Take home message: New members are welcome. The group is an excellent environment to share ideas; its purpose has been equally important as a community of practice and peer support to discuss shared challenges as we progress in a steady but determined way to embed sustainability pedagogies in our curricula