Autoethnography of An Environmentally Impactful Marine Biology Course in Support of Maritime-Related SDGs
Bony Irawan1,2*, Alan Reid1, and Gillian Kidman1

1Faculty of Education, Monash University, Australia
2Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, Universitas Maritim Raja Ali Haji, Indonesia

Abstract

As the 2030 Agenda timeline draws closer, pressure and expectations increase on Higher Education Institutions (HEI) to better contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While HEI are generally tied to the SDG 4 (quality education), specifically themed HEI have a strategic role in their related sector. In Indonesia, HEI with maritime-specific purposes serves a vital role to support the achievements of maritime-related SDGs. This paper takes an autoethnographic approach to provide a descriptive snapshot of efforts to develop an environmentally impactful marine biology course designed as a strategic effort to achieve the SDGs at the only maritime themed university in Indonesia. Experience and reflexivity from 7 years of teaching practice resulted in planting 15.000 mangrove seedlings are reflected upon to highlight initial challenges, pedagogy deliberation, network building, and maturation of the environmentally impactful course design.

Keywords: SDG, Marine Biology, Mangrove Planting, Environmental Impact, Maritime Development

Topic: Biology Education