Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.17
Liaison Megan Litke
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

American University
AC-10: Support for Research

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Hannah Moskowitz
Sustainability Analyst
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Student Sustainability Research Incentives 

Does the institution have an ongoing program to encourage students in multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct research in sustainability? :
Yes

A brief description of the student research program, including the incentives provided and any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
The Sustainability Fund funds campus sustainability research projects proposed by members of the university community.

Faculty Sustainability Research Incentives 

Does the institution have a program to encourage faculty from multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct research in sustainability topics?:
Yes

A brief description of the faculty research program, including the incentives provided and any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
The faculty-established ECOllaborative group hosts a monthly colloquium series. Each month represents a different theme of sustainability or the environment in which faculty share their research and connect with one another on issues of sustainability to further the field and inspire new, collaborative research. The Sustainability Fund funds campus sustainability research projects proposed by the university community.

Recognition of Inter-, Trans- and Multi-Disciplinary Research 

Has the institution published written policies and procedures that give positive recognition to interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research during faculty promotion and/or tenure decisions?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s support for interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research, including any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
American University's Statement of Common Purpose includes this commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry: "The university distinguishes itself through a broad array of undergraduate and graduate programs that stem from these primary commitments: - interdisciplinary inquiry transcending traditional boundaries among academic disciplines and between academic units"

Library Support

Does the institution have ongoing library support for sustainability research and learning?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s library support for sustainability research, including any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
The Office of Sustainability offers full access to AU sustainability data, including energy and water use, to support faculty and students incorporating campus sustainability into research. Library Collections managers in specific themes pertaining to sustainability offer ongoing, targeted support to faculty and teaching assistants to through guidance, expert knowledge, and continuously updates reference material. Those themes include science, environmental science, and sustainable practices in business (Kogod School of Business). A library faculty member is on the ECOllaborative team.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.