Research
Introduction
Conducting research is a major function of many colleges and universities. By researching sustainability issues and refining theories and concepts, higher education institutions can continue to help the world understand sustainability challenges and develop new technologies, strategies, and approaches to address those challenges.
Featured Resources
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New Resources
Deree Science Day 2025
- The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)
Deree Science Day 2025 brought together students, faculty, and science enthusiasts for a dynamic day of discovery, innovation, and hands-on learning. Featuring engaging workshops, interactive experiments, and expert-led discussions, the …
- Posted April 17, 2025
- Photographs
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Brackish Water Los Angeles: An Exhibition Field Report
- California State University, Dominguez Hills (CA)
Brackish Water Los Angeles is an art and research project housed at California State University Dominguez Hills' (CSUDH) University Art Gallery, co-directed by Aandrea Stang and Debra Scacco. Part of …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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New Research: Campus Trends With Indoor Waste Diversion Practices
- California State University, Sacramento (CA)
- Johns Hopkins University (MD)
- Busch Systems International Inc. (ON)
Over the last decade a growing number of colleges and universities have reorganized how they collect waste from academic and administrative areas of campus to improve their diversion rates. Anecdotal …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Institutes and Labs: From Research to Real-World Impact
- Harvard University (MA)
Campuses have been centers of producing ground-breaking research on critical topics for centuries. Some have succeeded in disseminating that information in a way that catalyzes action, while other research papers …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Education for Sustainability: Behavior Change Research
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Since the mid-1990s, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has insisted that achieving sustainability will depend on changes in behavior which need to be motivated by a …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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University Leadership that Enables Sustainability Education and Scholarship
- University of Calgary
This chapter is part of a new open access handbook from Taylor and Francis (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/reader/download/13f32394-c078-4201-8b83-0bce63352914/book/pdf?context=ubx). It explores and articulates different levers and areas of responsibility for sustainability in academic programs …
- Posted Feb. 20, 2025
- Publications
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Binghamton 2 Degrees: Building Community Resilience Through Collaborative Action
- Binghamton University (NY)
Binghamton 2 Degrees is a transformative initiative uniting Binghamton University and the greater Binghamton community to envision a resilient future under the looming threat of two degrees of warming. Through …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2025
- Case Studies
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TASTE Food: The Automated Scope 3 tool for Tracking Emissions from Food
- The Culinary Institute of America (NY)
- Stanford University (CA)
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- AASHE (MA)
- World Resources Institute (DC)
Currently, estimating purchased food emissions requires time intensive methods and cost prohibitive software which are often limited to estimating emissions based on spend. Previously, institutions that analyzed purchased food emissions …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2025
- Case Studies
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Holistic Inclusive Education On Climate Change
- The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)
The American College of Greece (ACG) is committed to advancing climate action and sustainability through an inclusive, multi-faceted approach to education. Under the umbrella of Holistic Inclusive Education on Climate …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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Resilient Climate Leaders: Redefining Sustainability Programming to Meet the Needs of Students Today
- Tufts University (MA)
In the early 2020’s with the onset of the pandemic and accelerating impacts of the climate emergency, students in Tufts University’s sustainability programs began asking for ways to more effectively …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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The Seafood Shift: Making Tufts Dining More Sustainable
- Tufts University (MA)
Saskia Zimmerman, a Sustainable Solutions Fellow at Tufts University helped Tufts Dining find new ways to quantify their sustainable impact and further integrate sustainable food sourcing into their work. This …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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Design for Vulnerables
- Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus Monterrey (Nuevo Leon)
- Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus Chihuahua (Chihuahua)
Design for “Vulnerables – Technology Challenge” is a project idealized and created in Tecnológico de Monterrey, Chihuahua Campus, it aims to understand how design processes can facilitate the introduction …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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CSUF’s Energy and Sustainability Summit Paves the Way for a Greener Future
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Cal State Fullerton is at the forefront of making sustainability efforts accessible and affordable for Orange County communities, preparing students to be pioneers in clean energy and partnering with local …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2024
- Photographs
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Green Lab Innovations to Advance Institutional Strategic Goals
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- AASHE (MA)
You have a Green Lab designation program, now what?
Learn how to develop complementary innovative green lab initiatives that foster sustainable research practices while fulfilling institutional sustainability objectives. Via examples …
- Posted Nov. 25, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Centre for Sustainability Transitions
- Stellenbosch University (Western Cape)
The Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST) is a research, training, and learning centre housed within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at Stellenbosch University. It brings together research on …
- Posted Nov. 14, 2024
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Colorado State University Sustainability Photographs
- Colorado State University (CO)
Colorado State University photographs submitted for SCI 2024
- Posted Sept. 2, 2024
- Photographs
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Sustainability Engagement Tracking for STARS 3.0
- Santa Clara University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
In anticipation of changes to Campus Engagement credits in STARS 3.0, Santa Clara University’s Center for Sustainability pivoted our methods of tracking participation in sustainability activities from “tallying attendance” to …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Air Travel Emissions Mitigation Initiative - The University of Toronto
- University of Toronto (ON)
- University of Toronto Mississauga (ON)
- University of Toronto Scarborough (ON)
Air travel emissions mitigation initiative - The University of Toronto mitigates emissions for business air travel by investing in university-based projects aimed at reducing the institution’s carbon footprint. Through the …
- Posted Aug. 21, 2024
- Photographs
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Restoring Oyster Reefs
- Georgia Southern University (GA)
Once each year since 2018, students from Georgia Southern University have traveled a couple hours north to assist the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources with restoration of oyster reefs …
- Posted Aug. 20, 2024
- Photographs
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ASU Global Futures Water 2
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Upmanu Lall, professor and director of the Water Institute at the ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, provides welcoming remarks to the 2024 World Water Day event audience. Photo …
- Posted Aug. 15, 2024
- Photographs
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ASU Global Futures Water 1
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Peter Schlosser, Vice President and Vice Provost of Global Futures at Arizona State University, outlines a framework of planetary systems and the vital role secure access to safe water plays …
- Posted Aug. 15, 2024
- Photographs
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Seneca Polytechnic - The Seneca Farm
- Seneca Polytechnic (ON)
Opening in September of 2023, Seneca Polytechnic has renovated the two-floor shipping container facility at Newnham Campus and turned it into a hub for urban agriculture commercial growing and research. …
- Posted Aug. 8, 2024
- Photographs
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mind.heart.mouth garden
- Concordia University
mind.heart.mouth. uses garden-based learning and sensory experience theories to create workshops and spaces that increase awareness and foster stronger connections with our natural environments and the food production process.
- Posted Aug. 7, 2024
- Photographs
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AI-based controller
- Cornell University (NY)
Part of Cornell’s Radical Collaboration on Solutions for Sustainability includes is Guided by faculty task forces, Cornell is investing in ten strategic discipline areas one of which is artificial intelligence. …
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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Steminist Movement
- Cornell University (NY)
The Steminist Movement, a Cornell student organization puts together STEM kits with Wendy Lin from the Community Partnership Funding Board. Fighting the Gender Gap in STEM through Education
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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People for the Planet Festival
- Bentley University (MA)
In spring 2024, Bentley's Office of Sustainability hosted a People for the Planet festival. This gathering provided a space for the Bentley Community to come together to enjoy art, music, …
- Posted July 29, 2024
- Photographs
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AASHE Sustainable Campus Index Photo Submission | Penn State
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
InventPennStateEdited-7 - Research Plugload 3 A and K - research DSCF6943 - Engagement White Out - Engagement
- Posted July 23, 2024
- Photographs
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Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) to be recognized as a Top Performer in 2024 SCI
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) (QC)
Our institution will be recognized as a Top Performer in the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI), in the research impact area.
- Posted July 18, 2024
- Photographs
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UNC Charlotte Volunteers Posing with Data from their Zero-Waste Stadium Sorting Event
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
Volunteers posing with the data generated at a waste sorting event the day after a football game at UNC Charlotte. As Volunteers sort the waste, it is weighed and totaled …
- Posted July 18, 2024
- Photographs
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Green Skills: Preparing Graduates for a More Sustainable Future
- AASHE (MA)
- The Conference Board of Canada
Drawing on our recent research, our session will provide evidence-based recommendations to post-secondary institution leaders and educators on how to meet the surging demand for green skills. Using cutting-edge data …
- Posted July 15, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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GW explores climate and sustainability in Fairbanks, Alaska
- George Washington University (DC)
Members of the GW research team celebrate with Asikłuk Topkok (left) and his family after an Indigenous dance performance near Denali National Park. Asikłuk, a professor at the University of …
- Posted July 15, 2024
- Photographs
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An ecosystem roadmap
- Florida State University (FL)
The collapse of the Apalachicola Bay oyster fishery changed a way of life in the Florida Panhandle. For decades, the bay was renowned for its oyster harvest, an industry that …
- Posted July 15, 2024
- Photographs
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Modern life relies on plastic.
- Florida State University (FL)
Modern life relies on plastic. This lightweight, adaptable product is a cornerstone of packaging, medical equipment, the aerospace and automotive industries and more. But plastic waste remains a problem as …
- Posted July 15, 2024
- Photographs
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Initiatives that deliver our #1 in Climate Action ranking
- University of Tasmania (TAS)
The University of Tasmania has embedded the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across everything that we do, including making them a focus on discussions at our Orientation and Open Day events. …
- Posted July 11, 2024
- Photographs
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San Jose State University
- San Jose State University (CA)
San Jose State University students, faculty, and staff are deeply committed to sustainability. SJSU offers a wide range of academic courses and programs on this critical issue as well as …
- Posted July 10, 2024
- Photographs
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NAU SCI 2024 Water Images
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
NAU is thrilled to honor our appearence in the High Performers: Water category in this years SCI!
- Posted July 10, 2024
- Photographs
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ASU Student Biodesign Institute
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Ntombizodwa Makuyana, a Barrett Honors College student, working at the ASU Biodesign Institute
- Posted July 1, 2024
- Photographs
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Cli Fi, Sci Fi, and the Culture of Sustainability
- University of Hawaii Kapiolani Community College (HI)
- AASHE (MA)
Climate fiction, or cli-fi, is a form of literature that features a changed/changing climate or global warming as part of the character, setting, or plot of a novel or short …
- Posted June 26, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Building the Next Generation of Climate Leaders
- Santa Clara University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
In the summer of 2022, Santa Clara University and Silicon Valley Power, the City of Santa Clara’s municipal electric utility, announced a five-year Silicon Valley Power (SVP) Sustainable Futures Program …
- Posted May 30, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Green Practices and Learning Focus of Statewide Higher Education Sustainability Conference
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
More than 170 presenters will discuss best practices in a wide range of sustainable and green projects ranging from construction, lighting and energy during the 15th annual California Higher Education …
- Posted May 29, 2024
- Photographs
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Engineering, Computer Science Students Pitch Solutions to Address Social Justice Issues
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
At Cal State Fullerton’s second annual Engineering Social Justice: A Design Challenge, three student teams took top honors for their projects that addressed such important topics as access to mental …
- Posted May 28, 2024
- Photographs
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E3 Internship Program Sows Seeds for Tomorrow’s Environmental Leaders
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
The Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton is one of just three arboreta in the state of California and one of 28 arboreta in the world to achieve …
- Posted May 28, 2024
- Photographs
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Sustainability at Community Colleges: It’s More Than Recycling
- McHenry County College (IL)
- AASHE (MA)
I conducted and analyzed interviews with sustainability professionals at community colleges, specifically those with enrollment under 10,000 students in the Midwest. Targeting this enrollment ceiling specifically because I want to …
- Posted May 2, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Concordia University's Earth Week BioBlitz
- Concordia University
Concordia community members gathered on Loyola campus to participate in the 2024 City Nature Challenge (BioBlitz). This is an international competition encouraging citizen scientist to help out the scientific community …
- Posted April 30, 2024
- Photographs
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Sustainability: Learning and Teaching in the Business Education Context
- Mahidol University (Bangkok)
Business schools worldwide are integrating sustainability into their curricula, yet a gap persists in understanding students' perspectives on these courses' effectiveness in preparing for sustainability challenges. This study investigates undergraduate …
- Posted April 10, 2024
- Publications
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TASK™ by Sulitest – Measuring and Reporting Sustainability Literacy
- AASHE (MA)
- HEC Montréal (QC)
- KEDGE Business School (Bordeaux)
Assessing the sustainability literacy of students helps institutions evaluate the success of their sustainability education initiatives. It can also earn points in the Sustainability Literacy Assessment credit of STARS, the …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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When Things Feel Out of Control: Engaging Undergraduates in Climate Emotions Research
- Wells College (NY)
Engaging undergraduate students in place-based ethnographic research helps develop their efficacy and confidence as sustainability change makers. Faculty at Wells College are mentoring teams of undergraduate researchers conducting a multi-year, …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Navigating Successful Co-Production of Campus-as-Lab Initiatives
- Princeton University (NJ)
- University of Calgary (AB)
Universities and colleges are critical sources of knowledge and learning, but have often been siloed from and inaccessible to other communities and industries (and other forms of knowledge). Academic work …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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The UTRGV Graduate Sustainability Research Fellowship
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX)
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Graduate Sustainability Research Fellowship (GSRF) was designed to support student scholarship, present intentionally visible contributions to sustainability in research, and exemplify UTRGV’s …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Mitigating Air Travel Emissions
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- University of Toronto (ON)
Air travel is inextricably linked with the research and outreach mission of universities and as a result is a significant contributor to GHG emissions when Scope 3 is accounted for. …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
AC 9: Research & Scholarship
- Percent of research employees that conduct sustainability research
- Percent of research departments that conduct sustainability research
- Sustainability research inventory (upload)
- Sustainability research inventory (description)
- Website URL - Sustainability research
AC 9: Support for Sustainability Research
- Description of the student sustainability research program
- Description of the academic staff sustainability research program
- Website URL - Support for sustainability research
AC 10: Open Access to Research
- Website URL - Open access repository
- Open access policy (upload)
- Open access policy (description)
- Description of the open access article processing charge (APC) fund
- Description of the open access journal hosting services
- Website URL - Support for open access
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.