Muhlenberg College
AC-10: Support for Research

Student Summer Research Collaborations • In Summer Research Collaborations, a faculty member recruits a student as a research collaborator for the summer, meaning that the student assists in a substantive way with the faculty member’s scholarship. However, the students are researching information based on the faculty member’s interests and the faculty are from various academic disciplines, but not necessarily in sustainability studies. Summer Research Grants • Each student who is awarded a grant will receive a $2,600 stipend for eight weeks of research during the summer and one course-unit of research or independent study at no cost to the student. These grants are open to any student, in any major, that desires to do research or independent study, it is not just for students researching sustainability. These Grants are also limited to 7 students per summer. The Wagoners Scholarship • A program that provides financial aid to students in who wish to conduct environmental and sustainability research. The Trainer Award • A type of summer grant given to 2 to 3 students who wish to pursue any type of biology research, which could include sustainability-related investigations. Like other summer grants, these students also receive a $2,600 stipend. As a side note, Muhlenberg’s Faculty development and Scholarship Committee decides which research by students and faculty will get funding. As for scholarships and awards, that is determined at the department level.

The College has the Wagnoners Scholarship available in order to provide an incentive for researching.

Muhlenberg College acknowledges interdisciplinary, trans-disciplinary, and multi-disciplinary research during faculty promotion and tenure decisions. We do not place more emphasis on sustainability research; but rather encourage faculty members to pursue research in whatever discipline they choose and will recognize all types of research that is conducted during faculty promotion and tenure decisions. This is greatly encouraged and recognized, but not required.

Muhlenberg does have ongoing library support for sustainability research. We have librarians who provide library support for interdisciplinary work and sustainability studies.

Positive Outcomes During the past three years, there have been multiple publications, conference presentations, and even a book contract that came from Muhlenberg’s research support system.