2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5995M Digital Technologies for a Sustainable Future

15 creditsClass Size: 250

Module manager: John Palfreyman
Email: J.Palfreyman@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Module replaces

LUBS5992M Digital Information and Organisations

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Digital technologies can play a central role in efforts to create a sustainable and resilient future for humanity, which is one of the biggest societal challenges of our times. Digital technologies contribute to sustainability by revolutionising the way we live, travel and consume (e.g. smart cities, sharing economy), fostering sustainable value propositions and circular business models, and facilitating the provision of social good to increase social wellbeing and community resilience. However, the impact of digitalisation on the environment and society is complex and there are many challenges to consider. This module presents theoretical perspectives and empirical insights on the environmental and social consequences of digital technologies. The module equips students with the knowledge and skills to critically assess and manage the development, adoption, and consequences of new technologies for environmental sustainability and social good.

Objectives

This module is designed to introduce the areas of implementing and managing digital innovation and associated technologies to facilitate environmental sustainability and a positive impact on communities/society 

Through this module students will develop a critical understanding of opportunities and challenges associated with implementing, using and evaluating new technologies in terms of their impact on the environment and society/communities.  

These themes develop students' ability to place new technologies, digital innovations and information systems within the wider societal and global contexts which address issues including sustainability, resilience, inequality, and ethical use. 

Students will develop their learning through lectures and seminars, group and individual work, and guest lectures. 

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the module the students will be able to: 

1. Appraise the importance of sustainability for businesses and society   

2. Critically assess current developments in digital innovations and their impact on social and environmental challenges, including benefits, disbenefits and risks. 

3. Investigate and evaluate how digital technologies can support transformations towards sustainable business models, sustainable ‘smart’ cities, provision of social good and resilient communities 

4. Evaluate reasoning and decision making to support the development of business strategy which brings together both the market requirements, operations, technology and sustainability or social value

Syllabus

The module will include topics such as sustainable value propositions/ business models, resilient smart cities, green IT, circular economy, sharing economy, cybersecurity, information governance, ethics of technology, and methods for evaluating new technologies. 

 

Students will spend several sessions on each of these Indicative topics: 

Importance of sustainability 

Technological innovations and their impact on environmental sustainability and social challenges  

How Technology could be an enabler for sustainability and social good 

Business models for sustainability and social value, including the Circular Economy business model for sustainability

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	5	2.00	10.00
Private study hours			130.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

A variety of activities such as additional reading, core text, case studies, news articles and podcasts will be shared with students to provide in-depth understanding and preparing for assessments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be provided with the opportunity to submit a draft plan for their report and will receive feedback from their peers (peer facilitated feedback).  

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	A 3000 word report	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resit for the module will be 100% by 3,000 word report.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 21/08/2024

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD