Title: Sustainability and Innovation: Technologies and Business Models that Address the Sustainability Crisis
Instructor: Dr. Justin Bull, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will review the trends, tools, and business models at the intersection of sustainability and technology. Our focus will be on sustainability not as a source of cost, but as an opportunity to innovate. We will look at emerging technologies – such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, the Internet-of-Things (IOT), and additive manufacturing – that will be major drivers of economic growth that can improve environmental and social performance. We will also consider business models that leverage asset sharing, usage-based pricing, agile manufacturing, and circular production to help shrink environmental footprints. Course content will be delivered by faculty, industry experts, and technology entrepreneurs. In addition to lectures and talks, students will visit companies/sites, participate in networking events and will receive a guided city tour and an optional cultural tour.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify new and disruptive business models that are poised to drive economic growth will driving more sustainable outcomes.
• Understand how new technologies offer opportunities to drive growth while improving environmental and social performance.
• Describe how technology and disruptive business models will work in conjunction to address sustainability challenges.

 

EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to attend and participate in all classes and scheduled activities. Students will work in teams on a final team project.

Please note that Monday, October 14^th, 2019 is a national holiday in Canada (Thanksgiving Day). The course will start on Tuesday, October 15^th and end on Friday, October 18^th.