Improving Interpretation and Communication of LCAs

Delivering the right context to your audience

This lecture section is designed to help students enhance their explanations and design communication to activate the stakeholders of their LCA. Students learn to identifying what context and information is essential across their target audiences. This lecture series incorporates the key competencies of sustainability into the core theories of Interpretation and Communication in LCA (Laurent et al., 2020; Hauschild et al., 2018). Utilizing the "The Knowledge Gap" approach as designed by Lee Lefever, student practice targeting their interpretations to engage and target different audiences in their research.

Learning Objectives

Interpersonal Communication

Students are able to explain their recommendations and findings to a variety of stakeholders. Students can identify knowledge gaps between groups and provide essential context to facilitate understanding and engagement between groups.

Files

Available for Download

Syllabus

Sample Knowledge Gap Lecture

Required Readings:

1. Gibson, R.B. 2006. Sustainability assessment: basic components of a practical approach. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 24(3): 170–182.

2. Hauschild, M.Z., Bonou, A., Olsen, SI. 2018. Life Cycle Interpretation. in Life Cycle Assessment: Theory and practice. Springer, pp. 323-334.

3. Laurent, A., B.P. Weidema, J. Bare, X. Liao, D. Maia de Souza, M. Pizzol, S. Sala, H. Schreiber, N. Thonemann, and F. Verones. 2020. Methodological review and detailed guidance for the life cycle interpretation phase. Journal of Industrial Ecology: jiec.13012.

4. Wiek, A., L. Withycombe, and C.L. Redman. 2011. Key competencies in sustainability: a reference framework for academic program development. Sustainability Science 6(2): 203–218.