Parul Gupta’s Post

As a US citizen, these past two weeks have been especially difficult. But in the face of these challenges, I’ve found an even deeper resolve to fight for a better, more just world. With that in mind, I wanted to share an update on my current journey and some thoughts on the process: 🎓 I recently graduated cum laude from Utrecht University with a Master’s in Sustainable Development, specializing in Earth System Governance. Returning to academia in a new country after 8 years in the workforce was both the most challenging and the most rewarding decision I’ve ever made. I hope to encourage others considering a big life change to follow their passions, no matter where they are in life. 🌍 I’m grateful for my program’s multidisciplinary approach, which allowed me to explore everything from ocean acidification to renewable energy policy to imagining futures. Understanding the interconnectedness of these issues is essential for creating inclusive solutions to the climate crisis. 🧠 Sustainability isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a deeply philosophical one. Studying the systems that led to our current crises made me confront uncomfortable truths about the deep-rooted paradigms that shape our world. Sustainability work should center not only on 'how' we act but also on 'why' we act, and on reimagining our collective values and the narratives we tell about the world. 🌌 I’m very proud of my thesis on psychedelics as potential catalysts for sustainability transformation, and am deeply grateful for the guidance of my amazing supervisor, Joost Vervoort 🟥. ✊ Moving forward, my focus is on exploring tangible pathways for sustainable change—rethinking institutions and industries in ways that truly address the complexity of the challenges we face. Seeing positive, transformative efforts already in motion gives me hope, and I’m excited to contribute my skills and knowledge to this cause.

It's Early Years Matters Week! This week we'd love to explore why early years matters for sustainability! Embedding sustainability in early childhood is a necessary shift towards nurturing future generations who are informed, empowered, and equipped to care for our planet and each other. Check out my free guide - Why Sustainability Matters in Early Childhood, and explore the vital role that early education plays in creating a sustainable future. Download the Guide and find out more here https://lnkd.in/gJJzkkdv

It's #EarlyYearsMatters Week, check out this Guide and explore why Early Learning Matters for Sustainability. Some useful insights if embedding sustainability in your ECEC Setting is on your radar... #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Sustainability #FutureLeaders #EarlyChildhoodEfS #RealWorldLearning

It's #EarlyYearsMatters Week, check out this Guide and explore why Early Learning Matters for Sustainability. Some useful insights if embedding sustainability in your ECEC Setting is on your radar... #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Sustainability #FutureLeaders #EarlyChildhoodEfS #RealWorldLearning

Wrapping its second year, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability reports accomplishments, growth, and ambitions Dean Arun Majumdar describes the past year’s efforts as part of a “journey to help create a future where humans and nature can thrive in concert and in perpetuity.” The 2024 Progress Report features: · Updates from each of the school’s five strategic priorities: § Talent recruitment – 18 new faculty § Innovative education – New programs, new courses § Accelerated research – Millions of dollars in seed grants § Global engagement – New voices, new partners, new audiences § Core values – Guiding principles established · Stories of discovery and impact highlighting the school’s research, programs, and scholarship · Milestones achieved along the path to establishing the Sustainability Accelerator’s six Flagship Destinations and two cross-cutting platforms. The report is a glimpse of the efforts of all involved with the school – faculty, students, administration, staff, partners, volunteers, and alumni – at the conclusion of what is only its second year in existence. For a bit more information and link to report, visit: https://lnkd.in/gMrHYv8D

One of my core beliefs is that solving the world's most pressing environmental challenges requires a collective effort. That's why I'm passionate about investing time in academia, bringing together diverse minds across disciplines to drive progress in sustainability. In the class I co-teach at Stanford University with David Mount, “New Frontiers and Opportunities in Sustainability," we transcend traditional boundaries, showcasing how companies, governments, and non-profit organizations collaborate to address complex environmental issues. Through interdisciplinary exploration, students discover their unique role in advancing sustainability, regardless of their field of study. Each week, we invite different guest speakers to foster an environment where students learn from each other, recognizing the multiplying effect of diverse perspectives. Together, we're empowering the next generation to be catalysts for change, demonstrating that sustainability is everyone's responsibility. 

It's Early Years Matters Week! This week we'd love to explore why early years matters for sustainability! Embedding sustainability in early childhood is a necessary shift towards nurturing future generations who are informed, empowered, and equipped to care for our planet and each other. Check out my free guide - Why Sustainability Matters in Early Childhood, and explore the vital role that early education plays in creating a sustainable future. Download the Guide and find out more here https://lnkd.in/gi-u3Cg8

Transform your school with the #ZayedSustainabilityPrize. If you’re a high school with a sustainability project proposal that could change lives, learn today if your school meets our criteria of Impact, Innovation and Inspiration. Apply today to the Global High Schools category and get a chance to win US $150,000 to turn vision into reality. #ThePrizeIsForYou

The Pint of Science festival has begun. Tonight is your chance to hear from Jeroen Dobbelaere about his journey from science to #sustainability management. Dare I say that we need many more organizations - including and particularly corporates - to bring actual sustainability experts into #sustainabilitymanagement roles. At the moment too many businesses rely on juniors or industry experts who lack a bigger picture perspective or the requisite expertise and seniority to make an impact. 🧩🧩🧩 #sustainablebusiness

There’s an urgency to working in the field of conservation. People who are working to address the extinction crisis are facing an existential weight of our work, leading to exhaustion and burnout. For the fourteen thousand people heading to #COP16 next week, here is a gentle reminder to remember the awe and wonder that brought you to this field. I have found that the practice of mindfulness helps to process negative emotions associated with biodiversity loss. By acknowledging this grief, we can find solidarity, compassion and gratitude to make space for envisioning a better future. Neuroscience shows that practicing mindfulness improves resilience, creativity and reasoning, so we can engage in productive reasoning and problem solving. Biodiversity conservation is a marathon, not a sprint, so please stay hydrated! #COP16 #Biodiversity #Conservation #Sustainability #EcoAnxiety #mindfulness