Syllabus

• Week 1

  Sustainability and the circular economy

  • Course welcome

    Welcome to "Circular Economy: Introduction to a Circular Business Model".

  • Week 1 overview

    The course tutors give an overview of the content for Week 1.

  • Climate change: Understanding the imperative for sustainability

    We begin the course with a very brief introduction to climate change. This sets the scene for why sustainable approaches to economic activity are needed. We introduce the idea of systems thinking - a mindset for the course.

  • Sustainability and the circular economy: Realising the societal goal to reduce the human impact on the planet and its environment

    This activity explores what is meant by sustainability and the circular economy and why they matter.

  • Introducing Anne Veck, our case study for this programme

    Our case study is the Hair and Beauty industry with a focus on Anne Veck, the UK's most sustainable salon. We'll explore how they made the transition from a linear to an increasingly circular business model.

  • Week 1 final thoughts

    Elaine gives some final thoughts on this first week.

• Week 2

  How business models can create and contribute to a circular economy

  • Week 2 overview

    Tutor introduction to Week 2 of the course.

  • What do we mean by a business model?

    Using the framework of the "Business Model Canvas" we will explore the components of a business model before moving on to think about opportunities to adopt circular approaches.

  • Circular strategies for business models

    Building on our understanding of business models, we will identify the circular approaches that organisations can adopt as their core purpose or as part of their operations...

  • Identifying opportunities for more sustainable operations...

    Using the real life example of hairdressing business "Anne Veck" we meet with founders Anne and Keith to explore how they have made the transition from a linear business to a sustainable salon that enables a circular economy.

  • Deep dive: Carbon footprints

    Carbon footprints are used to baseline and quantify our impact and the contribution changes can make. Here we'll explain the concept and learn how to calculate them.

  • Circular solutions: Tackling salon waste

    In this deep dive, we'll explore some circular futures for salon waste.

  • Week 2 final thoughts

    We conclude the week with some final thoughts...

• Week 3

  Driving circularity and developing circular solutions

  • Week 3 overview

    An overview of Week 3 from the course tutors.

  • Product innovation to drive circularity

    In this activity we continue to explore our case study of the hair and beauty industry. We look at examples of circular activity in more detail and think about the role of product innovation.

  • Market innovation for circularity

    We take a look at show the sharing economy has exploiting idle capacity meet peoples needs through sharing assets and resources.

  • The role of consumers in driving circularity

    Consumers ultimately determine whether or not we will succeed in meeting our needs through a circular (or increasingly circular) economy.

  • Leading the circular transformation

    In this activity we'll hear from Anne and Keith how they brought the team with them as they transformed the Salon. We will also hear about their plans to transform the industry and look at the role of the Green Salon Collective.

  • Week 3 review

    In the final activity for this week you are invited to contribute to our case discussion.

• Week 4

  Going circular - enablers, barriers, tensions, and debates

  • Week 4 overview

    Tutor overview of the final week of the course.

  • Exploring the consumer shift

    We look at some of the things that hinder/block the adoption of pro environmental behaviours by consumers.

  • Barriers and enablers facing influencing organisations

    In this activity we take a broader view of some of the barriers and enablers that affect the ability of organisations to adopt circular principles and contribute to a circular economy.

  • Circular business models and the circular economy: A critical perspective

    In this activity we will explore some of the perceived criticisms and limitations of circular business models and the circular economy.

  • Engaging in the debate

    This discussion forum is the penultimate activity for this course. Contribute to the debate!

  • Week 4 final thoughts

    In this activity, we present some final thoughts and invite you to wrap up your learning by sharing how your thinking has shifted and evolved through the programme. Thank you for learning with us.

Who will you learn with?