Baldwin Wallace University
AC-10: Support for Research

As per the STARS 2.1 Technical Manual's definition of "sustainability research" being research that leads toward solutions that simultaneously support social wellbeing, economic prosperity, and ecological health," BW is the recipient of the 2018 National Program of the Year Award for our Alternative Break program that combines a robust curriculum with social activism around sustainability related topics most recently food insecurity. Please see for more informatin: https://www.bw.edu/news/2018/fall-2018/10-bw-alternative-breaks-named-national-program-of-the-year

BW's Faculty Handbook last updated in 2016 in section 3.C.2 on p.25 promulgated by the BW Promotion and Tenure Committee explicitly highlights that interdisciplinary scholarship will be looked upon favorably in promotion and/or tenure decision-making. The section provides in salient part: "3.C.2 Scholarship and Professional Activities Baldwin Wallace University is a community of scholars and we value many kinds of scholarship, including publication in a scholarly journal; a book chapter or an entire book; presentation at state, regional, national or international conferences; and public performances or shows in the arts. Other kinds of scholarship are equally important and deserve recognition:  Scholarship that makes interdisciplinary connections. Examples might include developing new courses in a new major or minor that the University adopts.  Scholarship that seeks to address significant problems both within and outside the University community. Examples might include conducting institutional research on undergraduate education or engaging in consulting work on behalf of a communitybased organization.  Scholarship that increases the breadth and/or depth of understanding within one’s field of expertise or which demonstrates commitment to the ideals of liberal education. Examples might include the holding of professional office with an appropriate organization, membership on an editorial board, acknowledgments through award(s) or in reviews from professionals in one’s field that document the significance of a contribution, notable accomplishment in developing new courses in one’s discipline, or extraordinary accomplishment in pursuing programs of study designed to assure continuing breadth and /or depth of understanding of material related to one’s teaching.  The Baldwin Wallace University definition of scholarship and professional activity is derived from Earnest Boyer, Scholarship Reconsidered: Priorities of the Professoriate (Princeton University Press, 1990). Boyer’s distinctions between the scholarship of discovery, of integration, of application, and of teaching may be of use in defining departmental criteria. Specific explanations of accomplishment in any of these areas are expected. The description should clearly demonstrate a serious and sustained commitment to at least one of the areas described above. Candidates for tenure are expected to demonstrate a pattern of professional development that suggests the likelihood of continuing commitment to scholarly activity and growth during a career at Baldwin Wallace University." The BW Faculty Handbook is available through an internal password protected system.

Library Director, Charles Vesei, is an environmental historian and committed participant of the Sustainability program at Baldwin Wallace. He and his staff compiled a Sustainability Library Guide (i.e., "LibGuide") that provides students with quick access to a plethora of sustainability resources including links to research materials along with specific research topic areas noted below. Please visit the open access Sustainabilty LibGuide for more information at: http://libguides.bw.edu/sustainability 1) Books 2) Periodicals 3) Databases 4) Databases Help 5) Multimedia 6) Federal Agencies 7) Ohio and Local 8) Climate 9) Energy and Fuel 10) Environment 11) Health 12) Sustainability and Environment 13) Toxins 14) Waste and Recycling 15) Water 16) Weather 17) Evaluating Sources 18) Open Educational Resources (OER)