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
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
Energy and development: the role of academia in education, research, and technological cooperation for sustainability
Over the last decades, the interest of the international community for the multiple interconnections among energy, environment, and society has widely increased. Today, the close link between energy and development …
- Posted Feb. 17, 2017
- Publications
- View more
AASHE Award Winner Webinar - Developing Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Strategies Through Student Research
- University of Houston (TX)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- AASHE (MA)
Student groups at the University of Houston and University of Michigan have developed strategies for energy efficiency and water conservation on campus through research.
At the University of Michigan, a …
- Posted Feb. 16, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Ethics in Higher Education: Values-driven Leaders for the Future
The values and virtues practised in universities heavily influence the leaders of the future, but outside the limelight of excelling education institutions there is a concerning violation of good practises …
- Posted Feb. 14, 2017
- Publications
- View more
How to walk the talk? Developing actions for sustainability in academic research
- Dalhousie University (NS)
- Universite Libre de Bruxelles (Brussels Region)
Sustainability in higher education is a growing field of reflection and practice, yet integrating sustainability and academic research (as a distinct pillar of academia – next to education, societal service …
- Posted Feb. 6, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Evolution and structure of sustainability science
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
The concepts of sustainable development have experienced extraordinary success since their advent in the 1980s. They are now an integral part of the agenda of governments and corporations, and their …
- Posted Feb. 6, 2017
- Publications
- View more
The Role of Transacademic Interface Managers in Transformational Sustainability Research and Education
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Working towards sustainable solutions requires involving professionals and stakeholders from all sectors of society into research and teaching. This often presents a challenge to scholars at universities, as they lack …
- Posted Feb. 1, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Utilizing international networks for accelerating research and learning in transformational sustainability science
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- University of Tokyo
- Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
- Stellenbosch University (Western Cape)
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (DF)
- Maastricht University
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg
- Lund University
A promising approach for addressing sustainability problems is to recognize the unique conditions of a particular place, such as problem features and solution capabilities, and adopt and adapt solutions developed …
- Posted Jan. 31, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Green Chemistry: The missing element in chemistry education
- Beyond Benign (MA)
Green Chemistry Education Webinar Series: A new webinar series for chemistry faculty and students highlighting relevant and important topics in green chemistry education.
Presented by: Dr. John C. Warner Founder …
- Posted Jan. 30, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Success in Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research
- University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
The complexity of sustainable development and societal transitions require both analytical understandings of how coupled human-environment systems function and transdisciplinary science-to-practice approaches. The academic discourse has advanced in developing a …
- Posted Jan. 30, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Neoliberalism, new public management and the sustainable development agenda of higher education: history, contradictions and synergies
This paper explores the ideological and the practical relationship between neoliberalism and New Public Management (NPM) and the sustainable development agenda of western higher education. Using the United Kingdom and …
- Posted Jan. 30, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Educating for Sustainability: 2017 Sustainable Campus Best Practices from ISCN and GULF Universities
- International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) (MA)
This report, which was released in conjuction with the 2017 World Economic Forum, contains case studies on educating for sustainability provided by 30 members of the International Sustainable Campus Network …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Should we quit our jobs? Challenges, barriers and recommendations for interdisciplinary energy research
- University of Southern California (CA)
- University College Dublin, National University of Ireland
Many plea for a better integration of social sciences in energy research, which would imply more comprehensive interdisciplinary energy research. We argue that in order to achieve this, institutional barriers …
- Posted Jan. 23, 2017
- Publications
- View more
An in-depth literature review of the evolving roles and contributions of universities to education for sustainable development
Universities have been consistently considered significant contributors to the pursuit of regional sustainability initiatives for over two decades. The composite nature of sustainable development (SD) has appointed Universities to critical …
- Posted Jan. 18, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Civic Labors: Scholarly Activism and Working-Class Studies
Labor studies scholars and working-class historians have long worked at the crossroads of academia and activism. The essays in this collection examine the challenges and opportunities for engaged scholarship in …
- Posted Jan. 13, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Communicating sustainability: student perceptions of a behavior change campaign
- University of Arizona (AZ)
- University of Calgary (AB)
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impacts of a science-based environmental communication campaign at a university dining hall. The impacts are assessed in terms of student attitudes toward sustainability, …
- Posted Jan. 13, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Sustainable Development Research at Universities in the United Kingdom: Approaches, Methods and Projects
This book gathers inputs from a variety of researchers in the field of sustainable development across the UK, from business and economics, to arts and fashion, administration, environment and media …
- Posted Jan. 9, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Sustainability at Central Oregon Community College
- Central Oregon Community College (OR)
The paper of "Sustainable Development at Central Oregon Community College" was written to influence board members, faculty, and students who were enrolled or employed at the college to consider small …
- Posted Jan. 9, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Center for Climate Preparedness & Community Resilience
- Antioch University, New England (NH)
Antioch’s Center for Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience delivers applied research, consulting, education and training. The Center's approach is solutions-oriented, pragmatic, participatory, and inclusive, and based on best practices in …
- Posted Dec. 16, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
Factors encouraging sustainability integration into institutions of higher education
- University of Malaya
In view of the mountainous evidence on destruction of environmental quality and societal well-being as a consequence of rapid economic development, sustainability has gained vast attention from the community and …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2016
- Publications
- View more
Student Research and Projects Conducted Through a Campus as a Living Lab Program
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY)
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
This panel will reflect on best practices for undergraduate research and course-based projects designed to advance student learning while generating collaborations that benefit university academics and operations. Two case studies …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Climate Leadership Network Carbon Offset Projects Networking
- Clarkson University (NY)
- Second Nature (MA)
This networking meeting will focus on the development of carbon offset projects for colleges and universities. An advisory group formed after a networking session at last year's AASHE conference group …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
LEED Lab Live; Curricula in O+M Application
- Colorado State University, Pueblo (CO)
- The Catholic University of America (DC)
- University of California, Merced (CA)
- American University in Cairo (Cairo)
A Market Need, A Curricular Solution: For the past few years, a laboratory course called LEED Lab, created at The Catholic University of America in partnership with USGBC, designed to …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Teaching sustainability as an interdisciplinary subject: An effective model
- George Mason University (VA)
Sustainability is not a scientific issue or an environmental issue. It presents enormous challenges to human and natural systems and entails political, economic, legal, and ethical dimensions. Instructors who teach …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Community-based teaching and research: Sustainability-focused case studies from Portland State University
- Portland State University (OR)
Portland State University's faculty and students routinely go beyond the campus and put into practice the University's motto, 'Let knowledge serve the city.' This panel examines case studies from a …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Sustainability Literacy Test: Can universities & colleges be sure they are producing sustainability literate graduates?
- KEDGE Business School (Bordeaux)
The Sustainability Literacy Test was created to help higher education institutions, companies and any organization around the world ensure that they are producing graduates or work with employees with awareness …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Research - Climate Nexus: The Difficult Questions Facing Progressive Institutions Today.
- Case Western Reserve University (OH)
- Cornell University (NY)
- Princeton University (NJ)
- Buro Happold (NY)
As universities are tackling climate commitments focused on Scope 1 and 2 emissions, they are facing difficult decisions on capital investments in existing and new building stock and infrastructure to …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Teacher preparation for Education for Sustainable Development: A participatory video research in Canada
- McGill University (QC)
This presentation will discuss a study that examines prospective teachers' understanding of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and competencies in relation to teaching sustainability concepts in K-12 settings in Quebec, …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Wicked Problems in Sustainability Initiative - Creating and Supporting a Multi-Institution Course Community
- Engineers for a Sustainable World (CO)
Creation or replication of multidisciplinary courses with real-world context is limited by technical and economic constraints at many institutions. Efforts that connect multiple institutions to multidisciplinary resources can enable success …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Human Natural Resource Endowment: Measuring a Fundamental Human Right
- University of Arkansas (AR)
In this presentation, a new measure of the fundamental human right to an equitable portion of Earth's natural resources is defined. The Human Natural Resource Endowment (HNRE) is determined mathematically …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Fair Trade Recycling Operations
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
While the Responsible Recycling (R2) standard has been criticized for its flexibility regarding exportation, our team has been able to connect with R2 certified operations that exemplify how the exportation …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Creating Resilient Communities: Climate Change and the Power of Public/University Research Service Learning Partnerships
- University of Virginia (VA)
New research and bold actions are essential as climate change and sea level rise threaten coastal communities. According to NASA, 53% of the US population lives near the coast. How …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Transferrable Student-Led Procurement Research: Partnering with Office Depot to Create Change at Willamette University
- Willamette University (OR)
- Office Depot, Inc. (TX)
The presenters discuss a student-led research project at Willamette University, transferrable to other universities buying supplies from Office Depot or similarly large suppliers that likely provide comprehensive data on institutional …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The power of perception: evaluating sustainability contradictions as a tool for culture change
- Princeton University (NJ)
For a variety of reasons, behind the scenes operational dimensions of sustainability are often prioritized on campuses above the more challenging social and cultural dimensions. But arguably the most important …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainable Energy: Research and Innovation to Commercialization at the University of Missouri
- University of Missouri (MO)
In addition to leading research and innovation in alternative energy, University of Missouri has demonstrated a commitment to sustainable energy by taking discoveries to applications in the real world. In …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Developing a Campus-wide Sustainability Assessment
- Colorado State University (CO)
This presentation will describe a dissertation project from Colorado State University that examines individuals' knowledge of sustainability in relation to the concepts of the Triple Bottom Line; economic sustainability, environmental …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Making the Case for the Living, Learning Lab & Quantifying Ecosystem Services: IU Bloomington's Tree Inventory
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
Indiana University Bloomington initiated a campus-wide geographic information systems tree inventory effort in the spring of 2015. The tree inventory data is housed through ArcGIS online and led primarily by …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Establishing a Sustainability Grant Fund to Promote Sustainability Related Research for Students and Faculty
- Thompson Rivers University (BC)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) established the Sustainability Grant Fund (SGF) to promote and encourage sustainability-related research at TRU and within the broader community. The SGF provides up to $100,000 for …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Illustrating the 'Criterion Problem': How Starting With the End in Mind Gets us There
- Missouri State University (MO)
Virtually every sustainability problem begins with human thinking and behavior. While this may seem obvious, psychologists are rarely involved in the conception, development, delivery, or evaluation of real world attempts …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Measuring Undergraduate Students' Learning Over Time
- James Madison University (VA)
The Environmental Stewardship Reasoning and Knowledge Assessment (ESRKA), a validated, 50-question test with good reliability, is being used to measure undergraduate students' learning over time at a large, public university. …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Integrating Resilience Across the Campus and the Curriculum: The Climate Change Risk and Resilience Open Lab
- Plymouth State University (NH)
Within higher education sustainability efforts have integrated resiliency by creating a new generation of climate commitments that combine existing pledges to reduce carbon emissions with new frameworks for engaging stakeholders …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
HydroCats: Research and Citizen Science Applications for Water Harvesting
- University of Arizona (AZ)
From its inception, University of Arizona HydroCats has been structured on community involvement and off-campus project development. This year, HydroCats interns have expanded the program's role in Tucson neighborhoods through …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Africa Center for Sustainable Ecosystems and Societies Under Global Change
- Colorado State University (CO)
The Africa Center for Sustainable Ecosystems and Societies Under Global Change invests in innovative and interdisciplinary research that cross-cut conventional disciplines in an attempt to tackle global environmental and sustainability …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
How Carbon and Nitrogen Footprints Can Inform Sustainability Practices at Colorado College
- Colorado College (CO)
This case study analyzes the carbon and nitrogen savings associated with opportunities Colorado College, a small liberal arts school in the Rocky Mountains, has for sustainability. By analyzing the current …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Exploring Student Leaders for Sustainable Development: Components and Personal Practices
- Baylor University (TX)
Presentation that shares research study structure, methodology, findings, and recommendations for future research regarding the cultivating of student leadership capabilities through personal practices focused on sustainability education. The purpose of …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Institutional Nitrogen Footprint: A Case Study at Oregon State University
- Oregon State University (OR)
Many insitutions of higher education are measuring and consciously managing their impact on the environment, using metrics of energy use, recycling, alternative transporation or local foods. While the carbon footprint …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Advancing Sustainability - Green Grants Program
- New York University (NY)
Since 2007 New York University's Green Grants program has awarded funding to students, faculty and staff with ideas or projects that advance sustainability. Improving the university's environmental performance, fostering environmental …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Leveraging Campus Natural Areas for Urban Ecology Research, Education, and Management
- University of Central Florida (FL)
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a 1,415-acre urban campus, of which 876 acres (62%) is undeveloped green space that includes 337-acres (24%) of upland and wetland conservation easements, …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Colloquium on Research Innovation in Food, Energy, Water Systems Nexus (INFEWS) AASHE 4TH Annual Workshop Research in Sustainability
- University of Arkansas (AR)
This colloquium focuses on the direct interdependencies and connections that exist related to the production, extraction, generation and use, between food, energy, and water and the impacts at the nexus …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
SULITEST, the sustainability literacy test
- KEDGE Business School (Bordeaux)
Sustainability literacy as a learning outcome through the Sulitest. Feedback of the pilot phase includes 430 universities, with 44,000 students from 48 countries. Includes testimonial from users and addresses questions …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Total Energy Output of Global Fisheries and Aquaculture Production From 1950--2013
- University of Arkansas (AR)
Total production and estimated total energy output of global fisheries/aquaculture from 1950-2013 was investigated. This was accomplished by quantifying the output of fisheries/aquaculture using production data (tonnes per year) for …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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.