Environmental and mental sustainability in academia

Abstract

The theme of sustainability, evinced in various forms, has become a crucial argument of discussion in many different contexts, leading for example to the creation of the United Nations’ 2023 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In particular, academics are involved in creating a more sustainable environment under many different points of view, including the impact of their activities on climate change and on the possible arising of mental health issues.
For this reason, at the European Congress of Mathematics (ECM) 2024, held in Sevilla from 13 to 19 July 2024, the European Mathematical Society Young Academy (EMYA) facilitated a panel discussion focusing on these two relevant topics: environmental and mental sustainability in academia. The panel brought together a diverse group of participants – ranging from undergraduates to professors and including people from various European countries – who shared their insights on these pressing challenges in discussion groups. A summary of the key points raised during our dynamic conversations is presented below.