UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

Business and Social Justice: A Force for Social Change

Understand why social justice should be at the heart of business and societal progress, and elevate your organisation to become a force for positive social change

Duration

8 weeks,
excluding orientation

Effort

6–10 hours per week,
self-paced learning online

Learning Format

Weekly modules, flexible learning

This course is for you if:

  • You want to develop the skills and capabilities to address social injustice in your professional context
  • You self-identify as a member of a marginalised group, such as a woman or person of colour, and wish to be more impactful as a social justice champion
  • You’re a senior manager looking to enhance the way your organisation approaches issues around social justice
  • You’re a business owner looking to align your business goals with addressing key aspects of social justice
  • You’re a sustainability, diversity or culture leader pursuing initiatives and projects that go beyond the operational framework of DEI

Course curriculum

Over the duration of this online short course, you’ll work through the following modules:

Module 1 Why social justice is critical for business
Examine how the promotion of social justice is core to business purpose and success.

Module 2 Recognition and inclusive decision-making
Explore how diversity and inclusion can have a positive impact on work culture and contribute to business success.

Module 3 Just distribution of costs and benefits
Explore how the promotion of just distribution and equal capabilities can lead to long-term business success.

Module 4 Social justice across time and space
Explore business’ responsibility to promote justice over space and time.

Module 5 New business approach to social justice
Discover how innovative thinking can improve social justice initiatives and overall impact.

Module 6 Networking and leadership for positive social impact
Examine how leaders can leverage their networks and influence to promote inclusivity and social justice.

Module 7 A Personal Action Plan for transformational social change
Translate your learnings into a Personal Action Plan for championing social justice.

Module 8 Optimising your influence and impact
Review your peers’ Personal Action Plans and reflect on how you can strengthen your Personal Action Plan using their feedback.

Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.

On completion of this course, you’ll walk away with:

1

An informed understanding of the critical role business plays in addressing social justice challenges and how it can become a positive force for change.

2

A toolkit for positive business leadership that makes your organisation more sustainable in the long term, and a strategic transformational action plan to address social injustice and maximise your business’ social impact.

3

Relevant perspectives from a collaborative and self-reflective forum, equipping you to make a transformative and extraordinary impact.

4

A self-aware, reflexive, critical approach to understanding and addressing social justice challenges.

Course Convenors

Dr Priya Rajasekar

Course Co-Convenor, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Priya has had a career of 25 years, working in business, journalism and academia in Ireland, India and the United Kingdom. Priya’s interdisciplinary research expertise straddles cultural studies, politics, environmental and social justice – themes that she has also covered as a journalist and columnist. She is a programme manager at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Co-Convenor of the Business and Social Justice: A Force for Social Change online short course.

Elspeth Donovan

Course Co-Convenor, CISL Fellow, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Elspeth worked for CISL from 2008 to 2021, and was responsible for designing and delivering the institute’s education work in South Africa. In addition to customised work with various organisations, she directed the CISL Sustainability Practitioner Programme and the Business and Sustainability Programme in the country. She was a tutor on CISL’s Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business and is currently a tutor on the Anglo-American Game Changers Sustainability Leadership Programme, the BNP Paribas Positive Impact Programme and a head tutor on CISL’s online programme, Business and Sustainability Management. Elspeth was also a director of the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business Associate in Management and MBA programmes, and has 25 years’ experience in designing and delivering leadership development education. Elspeth’s passion is preparing current and future leaders for a very different future through curated learning experiences.

"Businesses have both the responsibility and the agency to address social justice challenges in highly impactful ways, and leaders working both in and outside of business as individuals catalyse this endeavour. We hope to energise, empower and inspire such leaders."

– Priya Rajasekar, Course Co-Convenor

An online education that sets you apart

This University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) online short course is delivered in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter. Join a growing community of global professionals, and benefit from the opportunity to:

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Gain verifiable and relevant competencies and earn invaluable recognition from an international selection of universities and institutions, entirely online and in your own time

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Enjoy a personalised, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step

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Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones

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