James Madison University
AC-10: Support for Research

JMU’s Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability provides travel funding for students to present at conferences and to participate in student competitions. The application process is competitive. All full time undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Students must be presenting work related to environmental stewardship and sustainability. The applications must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the proposed travel. Competitive funding for summer undergraduate research was offered for Summer 2016. Five faculty members (from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geology & Environmental Science, and Graduate Psychology) hired undergraduates to pursue research projects. Positive outcomes from student travel funding: Austin Underhill (pursing BS engineering '17), Katie Kelly (pursing BS biotechnology '16), Katie McCullar (pursing BS biology '17), and Chris Graves, (pursing BS engineering '17) Advisor: Dr. Jacquelyn K. Nagel, Assistant Professor, Engineering Best Poster at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2015 Additive Manufacturing + 3D Printing Conference & Expo, August 2-5, 2015. Poster title: "Application of Bio-inspired Design to Minimize Material Diversity" The research leverages biological principles of shape and form to achieve function to create design principles that can enhance existing manufacturing methods and increase product recyclability. Key contributions of this research include approaches for additive manufacturing strategies such as material utilization that align with a product’s life cycle, thus increasing the sustainability of the product and the process. Catherine J. Bruns, pursing MA Communication & Advocacy ‘17 Second place in the Competitive Communication Scholarship Paper, graduate category. Florida Communication Association Annual Convention, October 20-22, 2016. Also published in the Carolinas Communication Annual (journal) in Fall 2016. Paper title: "Fracking for Fans: The Ethos of Promised Land" The research looked at how the film Promised Land can be used to spark conversation on sustainability and environmentalism.

The following promotion and tenure guideline recognize cross-disciplinary scholarship: Department of Psychology: https://www.jmu.edu/academic-affairs/_documents/pnt-merit-pay-documents/2011-12-12-psyc-promotionandtenureguidelines.pdf Under "Excellent Performance": "In addition, faculty must show evidence of some of the following: ...5. Engage in high quality research projects (e.g., Involvement in research projects with potential for significant impact on theory, practice, and/or teaching; Development of comprehensive research strategies to address a particular important research question; Well-managed pursuit of multiple research questions; Particularly innovative research strategies; or Research that fosters multidisciplinary approaches)." School of Engineering: https://www.jmu.edu/academic-affairs/_documents/pnt-merit-pay-documents/2011-02-01-engr-pt.pdf Under Scholarly Achievement and Professional Qualifications, Part B. Evidence: ..."We value cross-disciplinary scholarship and understand that such scholarly products vary in levels of investment. Thus, the AUH and AUPAC will be mindful that not all scholarly products can be equally weighted..." Department of Biology: https://www.jmu.edu/academic-affairs/_documents/pnt-merit-pay-documents/biology-pt-2016.pdf Under II. Scholarly Activity: "Collaborative research with other scientists in biology or other disciplines is valued and encouraged, but such activities should complement, not replace leadership of their own independent program...." Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies: https://www.jmu.edu/academic-affairs/_documents/pnt-merit-pay-documents/pnt-idls-2011.doc Under Part 1. General Considerations, G. Standards for Promotion and Tenure: ..."IdLS faculty members’ scholarship and professional development can be interdisciplinary, degree based, or a combination of the two. Evaluations of IdLS faculty members’ scholarship and professional development shall focus on the quality and quantity the faculty members’ work, not whether it is interdisciplinary or degree based. Further, scholarship that is co-authored, published in scholarly venues in languages other than English, and demonstrated in forms other than traditional publications, but which are appropriate to the disciplinary standards in the candidate’s expertise, is valued and encouraged." Additionally, the Provost’s Award Winner for Excellence in Research and Scholarship includes, "Selection Criteria. Nomination packets should address candidate’s qualifications in any of the following areas:" and the list that follows includes "interdisciplinary approach to research/creative work". In JMU's Strategic Plan, under Academic Quality: Outstanding Programs, one of the major initiatives is to further high-quality academic programs. One action listed is "Strengthen Leadership in Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration. JMU already is known as an institution where faculty teach and do research spanning disciplinary boundaries. To further these efforts, we will launch a new set of cross-disciplinary pedagogical initiatives seeking to integrate engaged learning, civic engagement and community engagement beginning in academic year 2014-15."

Library materials relating to sustainability are coordinated by liaison Kelly Giles, including following call number ranges: GE 1-350 Environmental sciences; QC 851-999 Meteorology, Climatology; QH 1-199.5 Natural history, including nature conservation, geographical distribution; QH 540-549.5 Ecology; Environmental technology, Sanitary engineering. Database subscriptions include BioOne and the ProQuest Environmental Science Collection. Online subject guides are maintained for the following departmentsL Integrated Science and Engineering http://guides.lib.jmu.edu/isat, Geographic Science http://guides.lib.jmu.edu/geography/, and Engineering http://guides.lib.jmu.edu/engineering/ and for Green Building and Design http://guides.lib.jmu.edu/greenbuilding. Science and Math Librarian Emma Oxford also maintains an Energy and the Environment guide http://guides.lib.jmu.edu/energy. Both librarians are available by appointment to meet with faculty and students and provide assistance with sustainability-related research.

Responsible party for information about OESS conference presentation support: Christie-Joy Hartman Responsible party for "Library Support" information: Kelly Giles, Associate Professor, Applied Sciences Librarian. Data entered by Melissa Altman.