| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.84 |
| Liaison | Natalie Sobrinski |
| Submission Date | June 6, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Muhlenberg College
AC-10: Support for Research
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Richard
Niesenbaum Professor, Biology, Director, Sustainability Studies Program Biology |
Does the institution have an ongoing program to encourage students in multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct research in sustainability? :
A brief description of the student research program, including the incentives provided and any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
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.
Does the institution have a program to encourage faculty from multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct research in sustainability topics?:
A brief description of the faculty research program, including the incentives provided and any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
The College has the Wagnoners Scholarship available in order to provide an incentive for researching.
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?:
A brief description of the institution’s support for interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research, including any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
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.
Does the institution have ongoing library support for sustainability research and learning?:
A brief description of the institution’s library support for sustainability research, including any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
Muhlenberg does have ongoing library support for sustainability research. We have librarians who provide library support for interdisciplinary work and sustainability studies.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.
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.
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.