Special Topics Class - Practicum on Comm

Communication is the bridge between sustainability knowledge and real-world action. The Practicum on Communications for Sustainability Management is a broad survey of how organizations across the private, public, and non-profit sectors design and execute communications strategies and campaigns to advance sustainability goals. We’ll explore how communications professionals build brand narratives, engage stakeholders, and measure the impact of sustainability messaging, and how different practitioners translate complex environmental and social issues into compelling public communications. The course will feature guest speakers each week discussing their own campaigns, creative process, and the application of these strategies in real-world settings.

The Practicum on Communications for Sustainability Management is a dynamic forum featuring a series of lectures and discussions by communications leaders, marketing executives, and other sustainability practitioners both within Columbia University and from other institutions. These lectures emphasize key concepts in strategic communications, branding, and public engagement relevant to sustainability practice. Students will learn how to develop communications campaigns to address issues within myriad organizations, explore storytelling techniques, media strategy, and audience engagement tools.