American University
ER-16: Faculty Engaged in Sustainability Research

Institution’s faculty members conduct research on sustainability topics.

Any level of sustainability research by a faculty member is sufficient to be included for this credit. In other words, a faculty member who conducts both sustainability research and other research may be included.

This credit applies to all institutions where research is considered in faculty tenure and promotion decisions.

Institutions earn the maximum of 10 points available for this credit when 25 or more percent of faculty are engaged in sustainability research. Incremental points are available based on the percentage of faculty that conducts sustainability research. For example, if 12.5 percent of faculty members conducted sustainability research, an institution would earn 5 points (half of the points available for this credit).

Timeframe

Report the most recent data available.  Institutions may choose to report research activities from one, two, or three academic years, as long as both the total number of research faculty and the number of faculty engaged in sustainability research are measured during the same time.

Sampling and Data Standards

Refer to the guidelines for measuring sustainability research that are provided for ER Credit 15: Sustainability Research Identification.