The Future Leader Lab is preparing students like Anika Townley and Jack Adams for leading with sustainability in mind. It’s an immersive learning approach equipping students with the skills to address real-world problems after they graduate.
UNSW Student Anika Townley wants to lead the charge towards a better future. And the UNSW Employability’s Future Leader Lab program curricula course has equipped her with the critical thinking skills to do just that.
Previously offered locally, the Future Leader Lab is now also co-delivered with the Møller Institute, an international pioneer in leadership and professional development at Churchill College, University of Cambridge. It’s an immersive learning experience in sustainable leadership.
The future-focused program enables students to collaborate with professional leaders from various sectors as well as undertake leadership projects addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students get a taste of solving real-world problems while learning the leadership skills that will allow them to carry out those ideas – all before they graduate.
That’s exactly what UNSW student Anika Townley was looking for when she applied to participate in the program – an international perspective on pressing sustainability issues. The experience she gained through the program allowed her to build on the foundation of knowledge formed by her Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE)/Law degree.
“The interactive learning environment and presentations by professionals in diverse fields exposed me to unique perspectives on SDG 11. They allowed me to put into practice some of the critical thinking skills needed to work towards making cities and communities sustainable,” Anika reflects.
“The interactive learning environment and presentations allowed me to put into practice some of the critical thinking skills needed to work towards making cities and communities sustainable.”
Anika Townley,
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics / Law
After launching with a pilot cohort in January 2023, the Future Leader Lab went global in the Summer Term of 2024, offering the immersive program on an international scale, in partnership with the University of Cambridge’s Møller Institute.
“Expanding our horizons internationally, we sought a partner renowned for its contemporary leadership development,” shares Head of Employability at UNSW, Dr Nigel Smith. “The Møller Institute's programs are known to seamlessly integrate theory with real-life case studies, preparing our students for the dynamic demands of the current and future workforce.”
As experts in leadership development, collaborating with the Møller Institute was an obvious choice for UNSW Employability.
“Developing future leaders is at the heart of what we do,” says Møller Institute’s Director and CEO, Richard Leather.
“We work with partners from around the world to design and deliver leadership development programs which equip young leaders with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to thrive in an ever-changing and increasingly complex world.”
Jack Adams was one of 43 other high-performing students excited about studying and staying at the University of Cambridge for 12 days of immersive learning.
“I wanted to develop my ability to analyse complex global issues and propose realistic, impactful solutions,” says Jack. “These large-scale problems require diverse perspectives to effectively understand and solve them. That’s what this program offers.”
The Future Leader Lab took Jack and other students beyond theory and concepts, emphasising experiential learning. Through problem-based study, they learned how to implement sustainable practices in the world of work and the project leadership skills to take a sustainable idea through to implementation.
The program intentionally involved an interdisciplinary cohort of students who collaborated in exercises, learning how to build teams and engage diverse participants. Students also worked on projects and case studies centred on SDG 11 inspired domains: accessible transport, affordable housing, arts and culture, public and green space, renewable energy, and waste management and recycling.
Working with leading experts in the fields of engineering and sustainable business practices, students received invaluable feedback and learned how to effectively implement sustainable future projects. “The exposure and learning that our students undertake throughout the course gives them the skills and awareness to contribute valuable ideas once they leave university,” says UNSW Course Expert Pearl Rozenberg.
“I wanted to develop my ability to analyse complex global issues and propose realistic, impactful solutions. These large-scale problems require diverse perspectives to effectively understand and solve them. That’s what this program offers.”
Jack Adams,
Bachelor of Engineering Honours / Bachelor of Commerce
Alongside learning the latest thinking in leadership theory and application, students put these learnings to immediate action – researching complex problems to develop solutions. Students not only got to collaborate with community, government and industry leaders, but ultimately pitch their solutions to a judging panel made up of these leaders. Projects ranged from sustainable refugee housing using modular design and recyclable materials to managing electronic waste through a reverse logistics system.
Through the Future Leader Lab, students like Anika and Jack are equipped with the ability to analyse complex sustainability challenges and create innovative solutions. It’s a skill that enables them to make meaningful impact in their future professional careers.
By moving the location overseas, the program also takes students out of their normal environment, opening their minds to challenge old assumptions and accept new ideas.
“The course was such a valuable experience because it debunked many of the myths surrounding leadership. I learnt that leaders and followers are just as important as one another in creating change,” Anika states.
Students engage in a transformative experience, considering their perspective and relationship with leadership. Empowered to lead from the moment they step out of university, the program motivates students to apply what they learn to create greater impact in their organisations and communities. They walk away with the revelation that leadership isn’t about a title, it’s about mindset and action.
“You can be in charge but not lead,” Jack reflects. “And equally, you can lead but not be in charge. You don’t have to be in charge to demonstrate and apply the qualities of effective leadership, high performing teams are teams of leaders.”
This article was brought to you by UNSW Employability.