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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.

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Students learn about sustainable land management practices

CSU Channel Islands Teaches About Sustainable Land Management During Earth Month

  • California State University, Channel Islands (CA)

CSU Channel Islands kicked off Earth Month celebrations with an event focused on targeted grazing and its use as a sustainable land management strategy. The event included a presentation from …

Pete Schulze

Obstacles to Environmental Progress: A US Perspective

  • Austin College (TX)

Open-access (free) book from University College London Press. The primary intended audiences are undergraduate and graduate students in environmental studies, sustainability, and related fields. The book focuses on predictable, practical …

  • Posted March 6, 2023
  • Publications
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Is the Word “Net” Compromising True De-Carbonization?

  • University of California, Irvine (CA)
  • AASHE (MA)
  • M-RETS (MN)

Colleges and universities are relying upon “carbon accounting” that needs to be improved in order to meet our cardinal principle of evidence-based physical measurement. The physics of the grid—unless behind …

  • Posted Jan. 26, 2023
  • Videos & Webinars
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McGill Sustainable Labs Guide

  • McGill University (QC)

The McGill Sustainable Labs Guide contains a variety of actionable steps that lab users can take to make their lab operations more sustainable. Some of these practices can be applied …

Summer REU in Urban Ecology and the Environment (2024 enrollment)

  • City University of New York, Baruch College (NY)
  • The City University of New York (NY)
  • City University of New York, Brooklyn College (NY)

The Brooklyn Urban Ecology and Environment Program (BUEE) is a NSF-sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduates hosted at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. BUEE supports the training …

  • Posted Jan. 10, 2023
  • Academic Programs
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Webinar #3: Inner Development Goals: A Three-part Exploration

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
  • AASHE (MA)

Many of us are familiar with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This three-part Community of Practice (Nov. 15, Nov. 29, Dec. 13) will allow us to space to explore the …

  • Posted Dec. 14, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Webinar #2: Inner Development Goals: A Three-part Exploration

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
  • AASHE (MA)

Many of us are familiar with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This three-part Community of Practice (Nov. 15, Nov. 29, Dec. 13) will allow us to space to explore the …

  • Posted Dec. 5, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Webinar: Guidance for the Sustainable Procurement of Laboratory Supplies

  • University of Georgia (GA)
  • AASHE (MA)
  • Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (MA)

Laboratories often represent a “hot spot” within organizations for environmental waste, toxins, and even supply chain labor issues. Until now, comprehensive guidance wasn’t available for purchasers seeking to address these …

  • Posted Dec. 2, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Campus-Scale Biodiesel Production

  • Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AL)
  • Lake Area Technical Institute (SD)
  • Seward County Community College (KS)
  • Springboard Biodiesel (CA)
  • University of Costa Rica
  • University of Botswana

This a compilation highlighting 5 schools that are using Biodiesel production as part of their climate action plans. Each school has diverted waste by using used cooking oil (already produced …

  • Posted Nov. 21, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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University of Botswana in Gaborone converts Trichilia seed into Biodiesel

  • Springboard Biodiesel (CA)
  • University of Botswana

The University of Botswana in Gaborone converts used cooking oils (produced at the University) as well as beef tallow, and trichilia seed. Trichilia seed is an inedible native seed that …

University of Costa Rica makes biodiesel from Jack Fruit seed oil

  • Springboard Biodiesel (CA)
  • University of Costa Rica

In celebration of Campus Sustainability Month here is the University of Costa Rica in San Jose. They are conducting research on various inedible indigenous seed oils including jack fruit seed …

Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops

  • Moving Still Productions Inc.

Teach climate change with the following free resources: Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops, a series of five short films narrated by Richard Gere, featuring twelve renown climate scientists, and endorsed by …

  • Posted Oct. 19, 2022
  • Course Materials
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Employing the SDGs to Enhance University Research and Education Sustainability Objectives

  • Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
  • University of California, Davis (CA)
  • University of Southern California (CA)
  • AASHE (MA)

Although the SDGs are a global framework, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to how universities employ them to enhance research, education, and operational sustainability objectives. The purpose of this …

  • Posted Oct. 17, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Webinar: Innovations in Teaching Sustainable Consumption in Higher Education

  • Arizona State University (AZ)
  • AASHE (MA)
  • Wageningen University
  • University of Leeds (West Yorkshire)
  • University of East Anglia
  • University of Geneva

The goal of sustainability will not be achievable without changes in our consumption. In consumption, sustainability challenges appear like in a burning glass; here, it can be exemplarily shown how …

  • Posted Sept. 22, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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E2S Climate Hub: Paths toward Sustainable and Just Engagement open forum at Green Era Campus on April 8th with community partners and University of Illinois at Chicago faculty, staff and students

University and Community Open Forum

  • University of Illinois Chicago (IL)

This picture is of an event, E2S Climate Hub: Paths toward Sustainable and Just Engagement open forum at Green Era Campus on April 8th with community partners and University of …

Constructing a Transformative Sustainability Pedagogy: Teacher Empowerment for a Sustainable Future.

  • University of Oulu

The article demonstrates an action research approach for constructing Transformative Sustainability Pedagogy (TSP) to empower teachers for a sustainable future. The starting point for the TSP was a Transformative Education …

The Field Research Facility for Buildings of the Future was built to test which construction materials are the most efficient to get the industry to zero emission standards.

Sustainable Research at Concordia University

  • Concordia University (QC)

The Field Research Facility for Buildings of the Future was built to test which construction materials are the most efficient to get the industry to zero emission standards.

Image: Mercedes Dorame, Breath, Spirit, Wind – (Hikaayey), 2017. Archival Pigment Print, 36’ x 36”

Mercedes Dorame: Ancestors Leading the Stars ‘Eyoohiinkem He’uuk Shishyoota

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

RECEPTION | Saturday, September 18, 2021 12:00 – 4:00 PM (Public reception)

Ancestors Leading the Stars - ‘Eyoohiinkem He’uuk Shishyoota is an installation by artist Mercedes Dorame and it explores …

4th year neurobiology major Eiad Mohamed blends a fruit smoothie with a bike blender at SUSTAINIVAL, the campus sustainability fair, hosted by the UCI Sustainability Resource Center.

UCI Images for SCI

  • University of California, Irvine (CA)

Image options for UCI's feature in the SCI.

Dr. Sherie Obare, Dean of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering

Dr. Sherie Obare, Dean of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering

  • Appalachian State University (NC)
  • Arizona State University (AZ)
  • Marquette University (WI)
  • North Carolina A&T State University (NC)
  • North Carolina State University (NC)
  • University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
  • University of North Carolina, Greensboro (NC)
  • University of Florida (FL)

The Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center was established as a convergence of diverse and leading scientists to address the influx of phosphorus in oceans and expansion of …

UMN Morris intern giving a tour of the new Morris Water Treatment Plant

UMN Morris intern giving a tour of the new Morris Water Treatment Plant

  • University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)

UMN Morris intern (Michael Abbing) provides a tour of the Morris Water Treatment Plant for visitors. This new water treatment plant is a collaboration between the city of Morris, and …

Examining power production from UMN Morris 240kW solar PV agrivoltaic field

Community tour of UMN Morris 240kW solar PV agrivoltaic field

  • University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)

During the UMN WCROC Midwest Farm Energy Confererence, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Facilities, Bryan Herrmann gave visitors a tour of the new 240kW solar PV agrivoltaic field. This installation …

Miami University doctoral student Shrameeta Shinde checks a cyanobacterium culture. She works with Xin Wang, assistant professor of Microbiology, on research on photosynthesis redesign. Wang's ultimate goal is to design synthetic pathways to stabilize photosynthesis and contribute to efforts scaled up for crop plants toward a sustainable food supply.

Miami University SCI 2022 - Research

  • Miami University (OH)

Miami University SCI 2022 - Research

Gelion solar benches installed on campus night shot

University of Sydney technology spin-off Gelion delivers smart solar benches on campus

  • University of Sydney (NSW)

SCI 2022

Stanford commencement 2021

  • Stanford University (CA)

Students at graduation ceremony

Cascadia students working on berm restoration for our stormwater project in the campus wetland!

Cascadia College stormwater berm work

  • Cascadia College (WA)

Students working on a stormwater berm to catch and slow water entering our campus 58-acre restored wetland! The project is funded by King County Water Treatment Division. Students learn about …

Field Training in Siskiyou Moutains in Southern Oregon

OSU's Master Melittologists Program

  • Oregon State University (OR)

First Master Melittologist Program in the US - Oregon State University is the first institution in the United States to form a Master Melittologist program of trained community scientists dedicated …

Luther College Professor Molly McNicoll leads students in a hands-on learning class setting.

Hands on Learning

  • Luther College (IA)

Luther College Professor Molly McNicoll leads students in a hands-on learning class setting.

Luther College Gateway Prairie

Luther College Gateway Prairie

  • Luther College (IA)

Gateway Prairie, a 39.3-acre prairie and oak savanna, a part of 90 acres of restored prairies at Luther College. Students are drawn to prairies for restoration activities, research and enjoyment.

Sediment sampling for lead

Human activity generates about 25% of lead in Galveston Bay

  • Texas A&M University (TX)

Approximately 25 percent of the lead in Galveston Bay is from human sources, a new study says.

This study used state-of-the-art geochemical modeling for environmental analysis. Scientists from the University …

Extract CO2 and put it to better use

How to reach net-zero emissions? Extract CO2 and put it to better use

  • Texas A&M University (TX)

Excess carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere can be isolated and transformed into value-added chemicals for fuels, a team of researchers in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering say in …

Trimming energy use in buildings

Trimming Energy use in Buildings

  • Texas A&M University (TX)

Because climate change is fueled in part by buildings’ energy use, Manish Dixit, Texas A&M assistant professor of construction science, is studying how to reduce structures’ energy needs with a …

GW’s Sustainability Institute

  • George Washington University (DC)

Founded in 2009, the Institute supports the development of interdisciplinary research teams to address complex and current sustainability problems. From social sciences, to natural sciences, law, and more, students and …

  • Posted May 23, 2022
  • Research Centers & Institutes
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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Water Plan

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)

Sustaining water quantity and quality for people and the environment is a growing challenge. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is committed to working to ensure clean water …

Growing seedlings

Engaging with Indigenous Communities for Climate Action: The Bayano-McGill Reforestation Project

  • McGill University (QC)

The Bayano-McGill Reforestation Project is an initiative that is at the leading edge of carbon offsetting projects in higher education. The multi-faceted initiative, financed by the University, provides benefits to …

UBC Sustainability Scholars Program

  • The University of British Columbia (BC)

Since 2010, the creativity, skills and passion of close to 600 UBC graduate students in the Sustainability Scholars Program have made a positive impact on sustainability issues in the Vancouver …

Science with society: Challenges of early-stage researchers engaging with transdisciplinary research in sustainability science

  • Utrecht University
  • University of Hull

The ongoing social and ecological crises create urgency in academia and elsewhere to devise actionable problem-solving knowledge to tackle sustainability challenges. Transdisciplinary research (TDR) represents a problem-solving methodology for sustainability …

Information Disclosure and Climate-Friendly Consumption: Assessing the Impact of Carbon Labelling at a University Dining Hall

  • University of California, Berkeley (CA)

Global dietary patterns are increasingly reliant on animal products, which are highly carbon intensive and significantly contribute to climate change. While transitioning towards plant-based diets is regarded as an important …

Higher Education for Sustainability: A Bibliometric Approach—What, Where and Who Is Doing Research in This Subject?

  • University of Aveiro
  • University of Minho

Contextualization: From a very early age, assuming more prominence over the last decades, issues related to sustainability have been taking on a particular interest in the field of research. Although …

The Potential for Electricity-use Reduction in Grinnell College Residence Halls through Behavioral Manipulation

  • Grinnell College (IA)

I studied the potential for electricity-use reduction through behavioral change in on-campus residence halls. I used social comparisons to induce behavioral change in the residents. The results did not show …

Trends in scientific publishing on sustainability in higher education

  • University of Malta (Northern Harbor District)
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
  • University of Passo Fundo
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz
  • University of Chester
  • Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná
  • Universidade Positivo

It is widely acknowledged that research and publications in peer reviewed journals offer important metrics in describing the academic outputs of higher education institutions on one hand, and their societal …

Transforming science and society? Methodological lessons from and for transformation research

  • Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • Ecologic Institute
  • Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER)

Transformation research has in the past years emerged as a shared lens to study and support radical societal change towards sustainability. Given the nascent and exploratory—yet highly normative and ambitious—character …

Building University Capabilities to Respond to Climate Change Through Participatory Action Research: Towards a Comparative Analytical Framework

  • University of The South Pacific (Central Division)
  • University College London (London)
  • University of Passo Fundo
  • Kenyatta University
  • International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) (England)

This paper aims to explore how the principles of participatory action research (PAR) articulate with questions of climate justice. Drawing on three qualitative case studies in Brazil, Fiji and Kenya, …

Evaluation of Scientific Research in Universities Based on the Idea of Education for Sustainable Development

  • Nanyang Technological University
  • Tsinghua University
  • Hubei University
  • Wuhan University

Our research aims to establish an evaluation framework and evaluate the sustainability of scientific research in universities. Based on the concept of Education for Sustainable Development and the function of …

Evaluating and improving the contributions of university research to social innovation

  • Royal Roads University (BC)

The purpose of this study is to assess the contributions of graduate research to social innovation and change for learning and improved transdisciplinary practice. Universities, as centers of teaching and …

Sustainable Development Goals and Education: A Bibliometric Mapping Analysis

  • Universidad Pablo de Olavide
  • UNICEF (NY)

The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda sets out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at improving life in all its dimensions, covering all sectors, with a particular emphasis on education. The …

Management research and the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs): A bibliometric investigation and systematic review

  • University of Trento (Trentino)
  • University of Lincoln
  • Università di Foggia
  • Università del Salento

The comprehension of the businesses’ impact to sustainable development requires consideration of the different factors that affect firms’ behavior, such as corporate governance, non-financial regulation, and the external environment. The …

CSR Implication and Disclosure in Higher Education: Uncovered Points. Results from a Systematic Literature Review and Agenda for Future Research

  • Università di Bologna
  • Coventry University
  • University of the West of Scotland (Scotland)

This research reviews and analyzes prior corporate social responsibility (CSR) studies centered on its implications and disclosure in higher education institutions (HEIs). Nine major databases were analyzed to review research …

Review of empirical research on university social responsibility

  • Chaoyang University of Technology

This paper aims to systematically review the university social responsibility (USR) implementation from the empirical studies, which published during the period from 2004 to 2020. These synthesis results confirmed that …

Taking power seriously: Towards a power-sensitive approach for transdisciplinary action research

  • Maastricht University
  • Kozminski University

In this paper, we focus on transdisciplinary action research to explore the key challenge of post-normal science – how to deal with power. First, the paper reviews the literature on …

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

AC 9: Support for Sustainability Research

AC 10: Open Access to Research

Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.

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