Wildflowers in a field with a monarch butterfly.
Oct 16

Values Thinking Workshop

Values influence how people define problems, make decisions, set priorities and imagine what a sustainable future should look like.

In this interactive workshop, participants will reflect on how ethical frameworks and personal, cultural and organizational values shape sustainability work.

UMN Only
In-Person
Date October 16, 2026
Time 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
location 1954 Buford Ave, Suite 325 St. Paul, MN 55108

Registration

Register for the Values Thinking Workshop

Registration is free. University of Minnesota Graduate students from any degree or campus may register for one, several or all four workshops in the series.

What You Will Learn

By participating in this workshop, you will:

  • Identify ways values, ethics and assumptions influence sustainability decisions.
  • Connect values thinking to a research project, professional goal, community initiative or other area of interest.

Workshop Details

Location: LES 350, St. Paul campus

Lunch: Free lunch is provided from noon–1 p.m.

Format: In-person, interactive workshop

Cost: Free for University of Minnesota graduate students

Digital badge: Participants may choose to complete requirements for a UMN digital badge related to Values Thinking. Details will be shared during the workshop.

Who Should Participate?

This workshop may be especially useful for graduate students who want to:

  • Bring a sustainability perspective into their academic discipline or future career.
  • Better understand how ethical and cultural perspectives influence sustainability decisions.
  • Strengthen their ability to work across disciplines, communities and sectors.
  • Apply sustainability leadership tools to a current or future research, professional or community-based project.

No prior sustainability coursework or experience is required.

About the Series

The Sustainability Leadership Workshop Series is a free, interdisciplinary professional development opportunity for University of Minnesota graduate students from all degree programs and campuses. Through interactive, in-person workshops on the St. Paul campus, participants build practical skills for leading sustainability impact across disciplines, sectors and careers.

Students may register for one or more workshops and may choose to earn a UMN digital badge for each workshop.

Learn More About the 2026–27 Series

  • October 16, 2026 – Values Thinking: Consider how ethics and values influence sustainability decisions
  • November 13, 2026 – Systems Thinking: Examine connections across ecological, social and economic systems
  • January 29, 2027 – Futures Thinking: Imagine and prepare for multiple possible futures
  • February 26, 2027 – Strategic Thinking: Develop pathways from ideas to short and long term action

 

Learn about the full Sustainability Leadership Workshop Series

Questions and Accommodations

Questions or accommodation requests? Email [email protected].

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