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
Ground Truths: Community-Engaged Research for Environmental Justice
- Occidental College (CA)
- Santa Clara University (CA)
This open-access book is the first volume devoted entirely to summarizing the body of community-engaged research on environmental justice, how we can conduct more of it, and how we can …
- Posted Feb. 13, 2024
- Publications
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BEACON® SaaS Makes Water Visible at UC Merced
- University of California, Merced (CA)
- Badger Meter (WI)
A group of staff and students form the University of California, Merced (UC Merced) in Central Valley California joined forces to dramatically cut water, energy and gas usage per student …
- Posted Jan. 10, 2024
- Case Studies
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Sustainability training in business education in Thailand
- Mahidol University (Bangkok)
While the majority of universities teach all students essential knowledge areas related to sustainability theories and practices, we are still unaware of the sustainable skills our students will need in …
- Posted Nov. 7, 2023
- Publications
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Sustainability researchers at Tufts University
- Tufts University (MA)
Dr. Maribel Rios, Professor of Neuroscience at Tufts University, in her lab with Stella Xiyun Chen, doctoral candidate in Neuroscience, and Alice Meng, doctoral candidate in Cellular, Molecular and Developmental …
- Posted Sept. 7, 2023
- Photographs
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Designing Antiracism Curricula Fellowship Program
- Boston University (MA)
The Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University launched a new fellowship program in Fall 2022 that provides financial support to enable faculty members to develop or redesign courses within …
- Posted Sept. 5, 2023
- Photographs
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Environmental Lab Research
- University of Southern California (CA)
A summer graduate fellow with the USC Dornsife Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, Lanja Karadaghi, demonstrates the research they are conducting in the lab.
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Lighting up the lab
- University of Southern California (CA)
A graduate fellow with the USC Dornsife Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, Thabassum Ahammad, demonstrates the research they're conducting in the lab.
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Field Research
- University of Southern California (CA)
Students with USC Dornsife's Nuzhdin Lab employ molecular biology and bioinformatic techniques to better understand the interactions between genotype and phenotype across a wide range of organisms. The lab is …
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
- Photographs
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Optimizing kelp growth
- University of Southern California (CA)
A USC diver attaches seaweed to a prototype of a device called the “kelp elevator.” Raising and lowering kelp on the elevator accelerates its growth, proving the potential for mass-produced …
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
- Photographs
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$60 million in climate and energy research
- University of Virginia (VA)
$60 million in climate and energy research - University of Virginia is investing $60 million in research related to climate adaptation and clean energy through its Grand Challenges Research Initiatives. …
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
- Photographs
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$60 million in climate and energy research
- University of Virginia (VA)
$60 million in climate and energy research - University of Virginia is investing $60 million in research related to climate adaptation and clean energy through its Grand Challenges Research Initiatives. …
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
- Photographs
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SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- Posted Aug. 31, 2023
- Photographs
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Yale university Researchers
- Yale University (CT)
Yale is being recognized in the 2023 SCI as a Top Performer in Research.
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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University of New Hampshire - 2023 Sustainable Campus Index
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
Sustainability fellowship - The Sustainability Fellowship at University of New Hampshire pairs undergraduate students and post-baccalaureates (grad students and recent grads) from UNH and universities across the United States with …
- Posted Aug. 29, 2023
- Photographs
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Scientists study solar panel-topped ponds
- Cornell University (NY)
Reseach into preserve agricultural land for crops and conservation lands for wildlife, place floating photovoltaic panels on lakes, rivers and reservoirs.
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Research, Upcycled Textile
- Cornell University (NY)
Upcycled polyester.
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Earth Source Heat (ESH) is Cornell's version of a deep geothermal system
- Cornell University (NY)
Cornell constructed a 10,000-foot deep observatory borehole, the Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO). CUBO will enable researchers to study how much heat can be produced by geothermal energy.
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Research and teaching areas
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
In addition to the largest solar park dedicated to applied research in Canada, the Université de Sherbrooke owns the Johnville Bog and Forest Park, a 225 hectares research and teaching …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Photovoltaic panel
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
With a capacity of 1 MW, the solar park of the Université de Sherbrooke is the largest dedicated to applied research in Canada. Photovoltaic panels are located in various places …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Solar Park
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
With a capacity of 1 MW, the solar park of the Université de Sherbrooke is the largest dedicated to applied research in Canada. Photovoltaic panels are located in various places …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Hope College Photos for 2023 SCI recognition, “Top Performer, Research”
- Hope College (MI)
Hope College in Holland, Michigan, provides numerous opportunities for students to participate in faculty-mentored, collaborative research focused on sustainability throughout their time at the college. In the year-long, “Day1: Watershed” …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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SCI 2023 Major Investments in Sustainability Research
- Concordia University (QC)
To accompany text for Concordia University's Major Investment in Sustainability Research to be featured in the SCI 2023.
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Taking Stormwater Seriously at the University of Vermont
- University of Vermont (VT)
The soils on UVM's campus are glacial till on bedrock, limiting infiltration of runoff. UVM’s diverse stormwater systems slow and filter runoff rather than letting it run directly into Burlington’s …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Colorado State University Photos for 2023 SCI
- Colorado State University (CO)
Academic, engagement, and research photos submitted for use in the 2023 SCI.
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Ball State University students and faculty incorporate passive house principles into a design-build of low-income housing which won the DOE Solar Decathlon
- Ball State University (IN)
Ball State University students and faculty incorporate passive house principles into a design-build of low-income housing which won the 2023 DOE Solar Decathlon
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Ball State University students incorporate passive house principles into a design-build of low-income housing which won the DOE Solar Decathlon
- Ball State University (IN)
Ball State University students incorporate passive house principles into a design-build of low-income housing which won the 2023 DOE Solar Decathlon
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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RVCC's new greenhouse
- Raritan Valley Community College (NJ)
Donors to the RVCC Foundation funded the construction of a new campus greenhouse, which is devoted to student education. Environmental Science students, Environmental Club members, and Center for Environmental Studies …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2023
- Photographs
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Environmental Science major learns horticulture first-hand
- Raritan Valley Community College (NJ)
One of RVCC's Center for Environmental Studies interns growing native plants in the original campus greenhouse.
- Posted Aug. 22, 2023
- Photographs
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Forestery living lab
- Université Laval (QC)
Every year, Université Laval's Faculty of Forestry organizes research and teaching activities in its scientific forest, Forêt Montmorency. This is an opportunity for students to apply their learning and contribute …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2023
- Photographs
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Recent developments on research in sustainability in higher education management and accounting areas
- Polytechnic Institute of Leiria
- Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná
The purpose of this study is to investigate recent developments in sustainability in higher education, seeking to understand what is happening in the areas of Management and Accounting. This study …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Climate justice in higher education: a proposed paradigm shift towards a transformative role for colleges and universities
- Northeastern University (MA)
Moving beyond technocratic approaches to climate action, climate justice articulates a paradigm shift in how organizations think about their response to the climate crisis. This paper makes a conceptual contribution …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Reducing air travel emissions in academia: an exploration of universities’ manoeuvring room
- University of Graz
Purpose: This paper aims to explore the manoeuvring room of higher education institutions to take action to reduce emissions from academic flying. In particular, this study investigates how university staff …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic: an opportunity to reflect on sustainability research
- University of Bern
- University of Basel (Basel-Stadt)
- Technische Universität Berlin (Berlin)
- Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development/Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (Brandenburg)
- Goethe University Frankfurt
The COVID-19 pandemic has jolted societies out of normality, possibly creating new conditions for sustainability transformations. What does this mean for sustainability research? Because of the scope of the crisis, …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Students as co-researchers: Using participatory action research to address college food insecurity
- University of San Francisco (CA)
Studies indicate that college students experience high rates of food insecurity. Growing awareness of food insecurity on college campuses has resulted in efforts by many institutions to address the problem …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Developing interdisciplinary consciousness for sustainability: using playful frame reflection to challenge disciplinary bias
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
A major challenge for interdisciplinary teamwork on complex sustainability issues is the often-conflicting disciplinary perspectives and underlying values and assumptions among collaborators. Interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers and practitioners therefore requires …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Education for sustainable development through research-based learning in an online environment
- Universität Bremen
Purpose: The society faces growing global challenges in terms of sustainable development. A key factor in preparing society for these challenges is education for sustainable development (ESD). This study aims …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Understanding the Research Interlinkages Between Anthropocene, Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals: A Global Bibliometric Analysis
- Presidency University
- Guangzhou University
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are impacted by the Anthropocene's onset, hence critical actions must be taken to develop tailored policies for these goals. This research aims to understand the interaction …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Empowering Future Leaders to Advocate Sustainable Action: A comparative analysis between two university programmes focusing on leadership and sustainability in Sweden and Germany
- Malmö University
Sustainability must be integrated into our everyday world. To achieve that, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established. Some scholars agree that the SDGs are not enough. So, a new strategy …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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A self-Identity-development approach to higher business education for sustainability
- University of Manitoba (MB)
This study is focused on reorienting conventional educational approaches in higher education, particularly in higher business education, that tend to link unsustainable inner values with economic and analytical skills. Higher …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Integrating sustainability into scientific research
- My Green Lab (CA)
Laboratories have a large environmental impact, with high levels of resource consumption and waste generation. In this article, I discuss some of the actionable strategies that can bring real and …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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A framework to enable sustainability-oriented transition activities in HEIs: Learnings from two case studies in Germany and Switzerland
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can significantly contribute to sustainability transitions, as they facilitate research, education and knowledge transfer. The integration of sustainability in research touches many scientific disciplines and beyond …
- Posted June 15, 2023
- Publications
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Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST+) Lives Here for Urban Health
- University of Cincinnati (OH)
The University of Cincinnati’s Office of the President, Office of the Provost, and Office of Research committed $12 million to grow inclusive excellence by leveraging diverse perspectives to advance innovation, …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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USC Urban Trees Initiative
- University of Southern California (CA)
The USC Urban Trees Initiative (USC Trees) brings together faculty, staff, and student researchers at the University of Southern California to help the City of Los Angeles and local nonprofits …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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US Society for Ecological Economics
- United States Society for Ecological Economics (PA)
The United States Society for Ecological Economics (USSEE) provides a venue for intellectual exchange and collaboration on issues related to the theory, policy, and implementation of sustainability. The society consists …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Differential Vulnerability to Extreme Heat Events Among the UC Campuses: A quantitative analysis of social vulnerability to extreme heat in communities surrounding UC Campuses
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
- University of California, Davis (CA)
Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent, intense, and longer as a result of global climate change. Individual characteristics and conditions amplify exposure and impact of extreme heat events. I …
- Posted May 24, 2023
- Publications
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Keep CUP the good work! Is sustainable consumption a promise or all talk?
- Iowa State University (IA)
- Starbucks (WA)
Plastic waste has now spread to every corner of the globe. To avoid wreaking additional havoc on our world, wholesale change is needed. Collaboration, creative rewards, forward-thinking businesses, and consumer …
- Posted May 18, 2023
- Publications
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Educating the Scientific Community to Adopt Sustainability
- My Green Lab (CA)
Engaging scientists in sustainability efforts has long been proven to be an effective way of reducing the environmental impact of laboratories. By implementing actions to improve sustainability, scientists experience a …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Editor-in-Chief on Current Research and Authorship Opportunities
- Northeastern University (MA)
Dr. Venkatesan, Editor-in-Chief of Sustainability and Climate Change, discusses some of her recently published work in the Journal, as well as current Journal Calls for Papers and author contribution opportunities.
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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The KCKCC Library Sustainability Research Guide: Resources, Literacy, & Engagement
- Kansas City Kansas Community College (KS)
This session will provide an overview of the Sustainability Research Guide created for the Kansas City Kansas Community College library. This guide has been crafted over several years and is …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Impactful Education for Sustainability Through Research and a Community of Practice
- University of Tasmania (TAS)
For humanity to persist, we need populations with sustainability knowledge and practices. Higher education has the potential to contribute but there are many barriers preventing higher education actors from reaching …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- 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.