Amherst College
AC-7: Center for Sustainability Research

7.1 Organized sustainability research center, institute, or unit

An institution earns 6 points when it has at least one organized research center, institute, or equivalent unit that is focused on sustainability and/or on multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and/or transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges. Partial points are available. An institution that does not have a sustainability-focused research center, but does have at least one organized research center, institute, or equivalent unit focused on a subject other than sustainability that produces sustainability research earns 3 points. 

Measurement

Report on the current status of the institution’s programs. 

This credit is focused on entities that are affiliated with the institution, e.g, as demonstrated through the use of the institution’s name and branding. Research entities that are jointly affiliated to one or more other institutions may also qualify. The institution’s participation in sustainability research entities that are affiliated with other institutions is recognized in indicator 8.3. 

To qualify as sustainability-focused, a research-producing entity must have a primary and explicit focus on the concept of sustainability, the interdependence of ecological and social/cultural/economic systems, and/or multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, or transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges.

Applicable to institutions that host four or more organized research centers, institutes, and/or equivalent units.