The Pieces We have (Commentary‪)‬

I once worked with a man who had worked for Lego. He designed themed construction kits, like the Moon series I had played with as a child. When faced with a problem that no existing unit could fulfill, my colleague had the power to commission the design and manufacture of a new fit-for-purpose piece. We mere consumers had to make do with the standard Lego pieces, finding ways to turn them to our purposes or adapting our designs accordingly. This challenge of the medium, and the creative problem-solving it inspires, is one of the reasons that Lego is an enduring toy. I tell you this not only to confess my envy, but to draw a comparison. The challenge of sustainability research and education in universities invites plenty of discussion about the limitations of the institutional context and intellectual materials for the purpose. It is tempting to try to create something bespoke - a custom piece that enables the ideal. But the costs of such a move may outweigh the benefits. In this essay, I argue that: (1) the complexity of universities means there are risks in tinkering with individual pieces in isolation; and, (2) our existing library of academic 'parts' (i.e. disciplines, departments, courses, even universities) serve many purposes well and can be made serviceable for sustainability too.