New and expanded social relationships
Free time is enriched with interaction with people from different age groups and social backgrounds, expanding and diversifying interpersonal relationships.
Student and staff economic benefits
Through learning how to save energy, grow and cook good food, repair items, take part in swaps and exchanges, etc., there are ample opportunities for saving money and energy.
In addition, engaging with a peer group which rejects materialistic values and excess consumption can help participants in Transition Universities resist the social pressures to adopt high-consumption lifestyles.
Scholars and change agents
The role of an academic is not only to produce papers for elite peers, but also as a change agent or a social commentator, facilitating critical reflection and change within local as well as wider societal contexts. Transition Universities help provide staff and students with a connection to
the ‘real world’ and the opportunity to debate and engage in topical issues, which is especially interesting for students (and academics too perhaps) who often don't see any relevance/purpose in their academic inquiries besides getting a grade.
Excess produce from the community garden is turned into a free lunch during busy exam times in St Andrews. Photo: Transition University of St Andrews
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