Engaging Consumers with Sustainability

About

This module provides an in-depth understanding of how digital marketing strategies can be used to promote sustainable consumption and responsible business practices. It explores the intersection of sustainability, consumer engagement, and digital technology, making it ideal for those interested in how marketing can contribute to positive environmental and social change.

Throughout the course, you will examine key topics such as sustainable consumption, green and ethical marketing, circular economy models, corporate social responsibility, and the role of digital platforms in shaping consumer attitudes and behaviours. You will also explore how social media, content marketing, influencer strategies, and data-driven campaigns can be leveraged to communicate sustainability messages effectively and authentically.

Through collaborative workshops and real-world case studies, you will critically analyse how organizations integrate sustainability into their digital marketing initiatives and explore the challenges and opportunities in engaging consumers through online channels. The module emphasizes strategic thinking, creativity, and critical reflection on how digital marketing can both enable and constrain sustainable business practices.

The University of Sussex Business School has AACSB and EQUIS accreditation: the most comprehensive institutional accreditation system for business and management schools in terms of governance, programmes, students, faculty, research, internationalisation, ethics, responsibility, and sustainability, as well as engagement with the world of practice.

Target group

This module is ideal for students with an interest in how global business marketing and sustainability can contribute to positive environmental and social change.

Course aim

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of key theories and concepts underpinning sustainability and its integration into contemporary digital marketing and consumer engagement strategies

2. Engage in informed and critical discussions about sustainability-related challenges and opportunities in digital business environments, considering their impact on consumer behaviour and brand communication

3. Analyse and interpret an organization’s digital marketing strategy for promoting sustainability, with attention to communication techniques, platform use, and stakeholder engagement

4. Evaluate the effectiveness of a chosen organization's approach to integrating sustainability into their consumer engagement strategies and assess the resultant impacts on both organizational performance and consumer perception

5. Develop innovative proposals to enhance consumer engagement in sustainability initiatives, considering current trends and the potential effects on consumer behavior and corporate reputation.

Fee info

The full cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session will be £2985. Early applications will receive a 20% reduction on tuition fees, making the overall cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session £2640. If you wish to study for both sessions, we welcome you to do so. Fees are made up of Tuition fees of £1725 per session including all teaching and assessment for one module of study. A minimum of 40 class/teaching contact hours and 150 study hours. Modules formally approved for 15 Sussex credits, equivalent to 7.5 ECTS or 3 – 4 US credits. You will receive a transcript of studies upon successful completion of the module (including meeting all attendance and assessment requirements). The accommodation and social programme fee of £1260 per session includes your own bedroom in on-campus student village. These are a mixture of en-suite flats and standard flats with shared facilities. You will receive a bedding pack of duvet and duvet cover, sheet, towel, pillow, and pillowcase, as well as a kitchen pack containing everything you need for self-catering. The fee includes a programme of campus social events and activities throughout each session. Excursions and social programme trips will also be provided on Fridays.