"There is a very high potential for institutional synergy between ecovillage-based ‘living and learning centres’ and universities aiming to create up-to-date, participatory and engaging programmes in sustainable development." Dr. Daniel Wahl

The Findhorn Foundation ecovillage is a superb sustainability field study site for a number of reasons.

Amongst them are: its community owned wind park; community currency and community businesses, extensive eco-housing stock; community supported agriculture, sustainable transport scheme, diverse renewable energy use; ecological sewage treatment facility, experience in group dynamics and conflict facilitation; community lifestyles and proven reduced ecological footprint; and its long experience in providing transformative education

The ecovillage is an ideal partner in the creation of practical academic courses taking a truly holistic approach to sustainable development.

Current programmes

Undergraduate
University of Massachussets
Findhorn Community Semester

Postgraduate
Heriot-Watt University
MSc Sustainable Community Design

Field Study Visits
A number of universities and colleges visit Findhorn ecovillage for short field study visits. Their students gain a unique experiential perspective on the multi-faceted nature of sustainable development.  The resulting  insight into the interconnected nature of sustainability issues enables them to be more innovative and effective practitioners in their future work.

Lectures
Lecturers from other national and international institutions regularly visit Findhorn College. See Lecture Series for further details.

Programmes in development

MSc in Sustainability Studies (Moray College, UHI)
A programme in sustainability studies is being developed under the leadership of Moray College and in collaboration with all the partner institutions of the University of Highlands and Islands. Findhorn College will contribute at least one, possibly a whole series of optional modules to this course

Research

There are many opportunities for creative and innovative research at Findhorn, however, we do not currently have the resources to fund or supervise research students.  We are open to discussing collaboration with institutions or individuals which are able to self-fund.

A full ecological footprint study  of Findhorn Ecovillage was carried out in 2007 and revealed the lowest recorded footprint of any community in the industrialized world.

In the future we hope that documenting the outstanding and pioneering work that the Findhorn Foundation ecovillage has undertaken to reduce its ecological footprint and as a socio-ecological experiment in applied sustainability will be a possibility.  We believe that reporting and sharing the technical, quantitative, qualitative and social aspects of the ecovillage’s attempt to transition towards increased sustainability and resilience would be a useful contribution towards sustainability theory and practice.

Please contact us at college@findhorncollege.org if you would like more information about academic programmes or to arrange a student visit to Findhorn Ecovillage.