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
New Resources
Bridging Research‐Practice Tensions: Exploring Day‐to‐Day Engaged Scholarship Investigating Sustainable Development Challenges
- Abilene Christian University (TX)
- Simon Fraser University (BC)
- University of Toulouse
This paper adds to literature on engaged scholarship by exploring how previous experience, study expectations, and multiple identities are key factors that shape how management researchers perceive and experience the ...
- Posted Feb. 10, 2021
- Publications
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A framework for mapping sustainability within tertiary curriculum
- UNSW Sydney (NSW)
Purpose Sustainability within tertiary curriculum is hard to measure and often perceived to be illusive in nature. Existing higher education sustainability assessment tools rarely focus on the curriculum. This paper ...
- Posted Feb. 9, 2021
- Publications
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Carbon Footprint of Academic Air Travel: A Case Study in Switzerland
- École Polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Relatively low travel costs and abundant opportunities for research funding in Switzerland and other developed countries allow researchers large amounts of international travel and collaborations, leading to a substantial carbon ...
- Posted Feb. 8, 2021
- Publications
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How interdisciplinary is sustainability research? Analyzing the structure of an emerging scientific field
- Columbia University (NY)
- University of Michigan (MI)
Sustainability research is expected to incorporate concepts, methods, and data from a diverse array of academic disciplines. We investigate the extent to which sustainability research lives up to this ideal ...
- Posted Feb. 8, 2021
- Publications
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3D Printer Safety: A Guide for Institutions of Higher Education to Support Indoor Air Quality & Human Health
- Chemical Insights (GA)
Thanks to the development of affordable, compact, and user-friendly 3D printers, consumer use is booming, particularly in institutions of higher education. 3D printers have become a valuable tool in classrooms ...
- Posted Jan. 28, 2021
- Tools
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Building capacity for societally engaged climate science by transforming science training
- University of Arizona (AZ)
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
A major barrier to achieving wide-spread progress on planning for impacts from climate change is the lack of trained scientists skilled at conducting societally-relevant research. Overcoming this barrier requires us ...
- Posted Jan. 12, 2021
- Publications
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Approaches to Incorporating Green Chemistry and Safety into Laboratory Culture
- University of Georgia (GA)
A systems thinking approach to incorporating green chemistry and safety into laboratory culture is vital, as chemists will be at the molecular level of the innovative solutions to our global ...
- Posted Jan. 12, 2021
- Publications
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AASHE Award Winnner Ceremony 2020
- Lehigh University (PA)
- Lafayette College (PA)
- Smith College (MA)
- University of Central Florida (FL)
- University of Coimbra
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
- Southwestern University (TX)
- University of Strathclyde
- Carlos III University of Madrid
- Palo Alto College (TX)
- University of Dayton (OH)
- University of Sydney (NSW)
The AASHE Sustainability Awards provide global recognition to the individuals and organizations leading the higher education sustainability movement. On Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 a virtual ceremony honored the 11 winners ...
- Posted Jan. 12, 2021
- Videos & Webinars
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Sustainable development education, practice, and research: an indigenous model of sustainable development at the College of Menominee Nation, Keshena, WI, USA
- College of Menominee Nation (WI)
The College of Menominee Nation Sustainable Development Institute’s theoretical model (SDI model) conceptualizes sustainable development as the process of maintaining the balance and reconciling the inherent tensions among six ...
- Posted Jan. 12, 2021
- Publications
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Piloting Styrofoam Recycling in Research Facilities at Georgia Institute of Technology
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
Georgia Tech has systems in place to collect and recycle everything from cardboard and office paper, to plastic and glass. But until 2019, there was no established process for recycling ...
- Posted Dec. 1, 2020
- Case Studies
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Approaches to SDG-Based Curricular Pathways and Research Communities
- AASHE (MA)
- University of Toronto (ON)
- Sustainability Curriculum Consortium (MD)
Universities are increasingly being called to develop integrative approaches toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their research, educational, and operational capacities. This webinar will present on ...
- Posted Nov. 5, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Sustainability Performance in American Higher Education: A Multiple Case Study of Four Exemplary Institutions That Participated in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System
- Florida Atlantic University (FL)
The purpose of this study was to describe the campus sustainability performance at four exemplary higher education institutions, i.e., Doctoral, Master’s, Baccalaureate, and Associate’s, as measured by ...
- Posted Oct. 23, 2020
- Publications
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Climate change is increasingly causes mental health problems among college students
- Tufts University (MA)
This is a literature review of peer-reviewed papers, news articles, and polls that illustrate the impacts of climate change on mental health among college students.
- Posted Oct. 23, 2020
- Publications
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Universite Laval - High Performance Greenhouse Complex
- Université Laval (QC)
The High Performance Greenhouse Complex is a reference as a research infrastructure. Its equipment is among the most sophisticated in North America. The High Performance Greenhouse Complex distinguishes itself from ...
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
- Photographs
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Unity College Sustainability Science Curriculum
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
Sustainability science is at the heart of everything we do at Unity College because to us, nothing is more important than the mark we make on this planet.
Sustainability science ...
- Posted Oct. 15, 2020
- Photographs
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Developing University-Initiated Offsets and Using Peer Verification
- Duke University (NC)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- University of California, Davis (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
The Offset Network is an online platform for colleges and universities considering the development of their own emission-reducing projects to fulfill carbon neutrality commitments. Self-generated offsets offer greater flexibility than ...
- Posted Oct. 15, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Portland State University - Smart Trees Researcher
- Portland State University (OR)
In this photo, Portland State University graduate and postdoctoral researcher Hannah Prather climbs a Douglas fir in the early morning to collect samples as part of a smart trees research ...
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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Colorado State University Photo for 2020 SCI
- Colorado State University (CO)
Photo attached for use in 2020 SCI
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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Humber College - Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation
- Humber College (ON)
The 93,000 sq. ft. Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation was opened. It is built to achieve LEED-Platinum certification (currently under review) and is a net-zero energy building, offset by ...
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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Binghamton University - Annual Research Days
- Binghamton University (NY)
Binghamton University's 2019 annual Research Days featured more than 175 projects, the opening of a new Art of Science exhibit and a two-day conference focused on human rights research ...
- Posted Oct. 13, 2020
- Photographs
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New York University - Return on Sustainable Investment Methodology
- New York University (NY)
In 2019, the New York University Stern School of Business’s Center for Sustainable Business established two innovative ways of measuring sustainability among corporations. First, the Sustainable Market Share Index ...
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Photographs
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Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
- Dillard University (LA)
The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families harmed by pollution and vulnerable to climate change in the Gulf Coast Region ...
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Center for Urban Education
- University of Southern California (CA)
Since its founding in 1999, the USC Rossier Center for Urban Education (CUE) has worked to bring equity-mindedness to institutions of higher education through socially conscious research, tools and learning ...
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Pullias Center for Higher Education
- University of Southern California (CA)
The world’s leading research center on student access and success in higher education, the Pullias Center for Higher Education advances innovative, scalable solutions to improve college outcomes for underserved ...
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Center for Antiracist Research
- Boston University (MA)
The mission of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research is to convene researchers and practitioners from various disciplines to figure out novel and practical ways to understand, explain, and ...
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Antiracist Research & Policy Center
- American University (DC)
The Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University generates scholarly research, educational tools, and policy analysis geared towards dismantling racism in its many forms. We build multidisciplinary initiatives for ...
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Center for the Study of Racism, Social Justice & Health
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
The Center for the Study of Racism, Social Justice, and Health is dedicated to examining how and when racism affects health, providing tools to improve the rigor with which researchers ...
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service
- Georgetown University (DC)
The Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching, and Service (CSJ) is a hub at Georgetown University through which students, faculty, and staff engage in Washington, DC through activism, advocacy, service ...
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Center for Environmental Justice & Sustainability
- Seattle University (WA)
CEJS serves as a clearinghouse for Seattle University’s environmental programs and sustainability initiatives. If you have any questions about CEJS, campus sustainability, CEJS events, or have an interest in ...
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Central Community College, NE Katy Ayers Myconoe eBadge project for SCI 2020
- Central Community College (NE)
eBadges - Students at Central Community College can earn eBadges to demonstrate skills and knowledge in environmental stewardship. eBadge opportunities are available at no additional cost for all fields of study ...
- Posted Oct. 5, 2020
- Photographs
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Cal Poly SLO Gold Tree Solar Farm
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
Large-scale solar farm and laboratory - The recently completed 4.5 megawatt Gold Tree Solar Farm at California Polytechnic State University is currently the largest solar array in the CSU system ...
- Posted Sept. 29, 2020
- Photographs
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Planet Texas 2050
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
Planet Texas 2050 researchers are committed to developing programs and policy recommendations that will improve Texas’ adaptability and build its resilience. To do that, their work will focus on understanding ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Mineta Transportation Institute
- San Jose State University (CA)
MTI provides the highest-quality support for surface transportation researchers, planners, managers, educators, and elected officials, all filtered through the lens of our urban academic home in the heart of Silicon ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Center for Environmental Policy (CEP)
- Bard College (NY)
The Bard Center for Environmental Policy was created in 1999 to promote education, research, and public service on critical issues relating to both natural and human-made environments. Its primary goal ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Image Permanence Institute
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
The Image Permanence Institute (IPI) is a university-based research center in the College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) dedicated to supporting the preservation of cultural ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Sustainability
- Università degli Studi di Torino
- Università degli Studi di Brescia
The Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Sustainability (IRIS) is an Inter-University Centre constituted by the University of Turin (Department of Animal and Human Biology and Department of Economics "Cognetti de Martiis ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Centre for Sustainable Fashion
- London College of Fashion
Working with students from undergraduate, post graduate and PhD programmes, the Centre for Sustainable Fashion creates symbiotic relationships, where all are able to contribute to learning and evolve graduates equipped ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability
- University of Cambridge
The Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability applies physics to meet the growing demand on our natural resources.
The research programme explores basic science which can generate the new ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Centre for the Anthropology of Sustainability (CAOS)
- University College London (London)
The Centre for the Anthropology of Sustainability (CAOS) is a research centre that draws together the wide range of work of international excellence on questions related to the notion of ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Cooperatives
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
The University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives seeks to increase understanding and encourage critical thinking about cooperatives by fostering scholarship and mutual learning among academics, the cooperative community, policy makers ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
- University of Regina (SK)
The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (CCSC) is an interdisciplinary research and teaching centre located on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Established in 1984, the CCSC is supported ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives
- North Dakota State University (ND)
The idea of an NDSU center to benefit members of North Dakota cooperatives originated within the cooperatives themselves, and in October 1988, the Joint Cooperative Education Committee endorsed the concept ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Centre for Co-operative Studies
- University College Cork - National University of Ireland, Cork (Co. Cork)
The mission of the Centre for Co-operative Studies is to promote, through its research, consultancy and educational activities, the continued growth of the co-operative movement, as an effective, locally-owned and ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Arthur Capper Cooperative Center
- Kansas State University (KS)
The Arthur Capper Cooperative Center (ACCC) in the K-State Department of Agricultural Economics was established on June 11, 1984 by an agreement between Kansas State University and the Kansas Cooperative ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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The Institute for Environmental Modeling
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
The purpose of TIEM is to do basic research on significant environmental problems that impact the State of Tennessee and have national and international implications. The focus of the Institute ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Digital Construction
- Swinburne University of Technology
Civil infrastructure research at Swinburne is undertaken within the Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Digital Construction (CSI). Infrastructure is critical to the economic wellbeing of Australia with some $30 billion ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Concordia Institute for Water, Energy and Sustainable Systems
- Concordia University (QC)
The Concordia Institute for Water, Energy and Sustainable Systems (CIWESS) trains students to be at the forefront of sustainable development practices. It promotes research into new systems, technologies and solutions ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Centre for Zero Energy Building Studies
- Concordia University (QC)
The mission of the CZEBS is to reduce the environmental impact of buildings while enhancing their safety and comfort. This is accomplished by advancing knowledge through research and the building ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Centre for Engineering in Society
- Concordia University (QC)
The Engineering department at Concordia University is made up of a team of dynamic faculty members at the forefront of their fields who are creating new and exciting next-gen approaches ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Mahamana Center of Excellence in Climate Change Research
- Banaras Hindu University (Uttar Pradesh)
DST - Mahamana Centre of Excellence in Climate Change Research (MCECCR) is an initiative taken at BHU under Prime Minister's National Action Plan on Climate Change. The centre started in ...
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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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.