Ohio University
AC-10: Support for Research

Every year, Ohio University holds a Student Research and Creative Activity Expo. Various awards are offered for research in specific areas. In 2017, the Office of Sustainability offered cash prizes for the best sustainability research that meets the AASHE STARS definition of sustainability research. 26 students presented research posters on sustainability projects, such as "Municipal Electric Operations: Options for Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability" and "Utilization Focused Evaluation of the Uses and Benefits of Food Dehydration for Communities in Southeast Ohio". In 2018, prizes will again be offered. In 2016, the Ohio University Eco-Challenge sustainability competition was launched. Teams of students from the College of Business Select Leaders program, the Russ College of Engineering Robe Leadership Institute, and the Cutlers Scholars research local sustainability problems, design solutions, and present their proposals to judges. The winning proposal is intended to be implemented on campus. The 2016 winning team proposed replacing existing lighting in the Convocation Center parking lot with high-efficiency LED lights, generating a savings of $2,884 in annual maintenance costs. In addition to the economic benefits, the lights will save 82,000 pounds of CO2 emissions. Every year, the Voinovich Scholar Program matches students with faculty and projects that directly provide students the opportunity to do research in sustainability. While the program is not focused exclusively on sustainability, sustainability has been an impactful topic for participants. One Voinovich Scholar, Grace Fuchs, was awarded a Udall Scholarship in 2017 for her work with a grassroots community group that was advocating against injection wells for fracking waste. Several courses (including ES4832: Sustainability Implementation and MKT4900: Sustainability Marketing) require research projects focusing on sustainability. These research projects are proposed and assisted by departments across campus, and some have led to implementation of sustainability initiatives based on the project findings and recommendations. The Sugar Bush Foundation routinely awards grants to Ohio University/local community partners to research and implement sustainability projects. Currently, Sugar Bush is funding a number of students to work on Zero Waste research and implementation, as well as acid mine drainage remediation projects.

The award-winning Innovation Strategy, "a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort that encompasses teaching, learning, research and institutional operations and addresses how the University can use its existing assets and expertise to engage substantively with the challenges of the 21st century", was initiated at Ohio University in 2015. The Innovation Strategy has issued two cycles (2015 and 2017) of RFPs and awarded major awards (e.g., $250k or more), planning grants (up to $20k for 1 year) and seed grants (up to $50k for 1 year) for successful proposals in the following 4 broad areas: Energy, Environment, and the Economy; Health and Wellness; Vibrant Societies and Economies; and Digitally Connected World. Within these 4 broad areas, there are many niches specifically outlined that highlight sustainability. The first major awards were given in 2016 to 4 project teams. One $1.3 million award was for a project was entitled: “Preventing a Bust: Innovations for Sustainable & Enhanced Economic Outcomes from Shale". Five project teams received planning grants, including "Partnership for Digitally Connected Environmental Monitoring" and "SmartWorks for Enterprise Innovation”. The "Partnership for Digitally Connected Environmental Monitoring" planning grant has concluded, with the following positive outcomes: the team surveyed households in southeastern Ohio about their awareness of and concerns about hydraulic fracturing. In addition, researchers designed and tested environmental monitoring systems near injection wells. In the next steps of the project, the team hopes to refine and expand the use of its research equipment and launch a website that offers real-time environmental data to the public. "SmartWorks for Enterprise Innovation", had the following positive outcomes: the team led by Zaki Kuruppalil, Russ College of Engineering and Technology, worked with university administrative offices to implement Lean processes in order to create operational efficiencies and achieve cost savings. The University Mail Services, for example, determined that it could save 1,960 hours of staff time and 1,358 gallons of gas by redesigning its delivery routes.

Each department at Ohio University has different requirements regarding tenure and promotions; however, in general the process requires faculty to submit documentation regarding interdisciplinary contributions.

In addition to general 24 hour/5 days a week support, Ohio University Libraries employs 16 subject librarians, one of whom is specifically dedicated to Environmental Studies. However, all subject librarians participate in teaching activities and research support related to sustainability. Courses with sustainability-related readings and research may be supported with customized course guides created by librarians. One example is the library resources on sustainable fashion for students in retail and fashion product development (http://libguides.library.ohiou.edu/retail/sustainablefashion). The Libraries have also collaborated with a variety of campus partners since 2012 in support of the Fall Sustainability Film Festival. All films shown at the festival are available in the libraries’ collection with Public Performance Rights (https://www.library.ohio.edu/2017/08/2017-fall-sustainability-film-series/). Finally, the library maintains a “sustainability wall” in Alden Library, a facility that sees over 2 million visitors a year. This wall advertises campus sustainability-related events and educational materials, as well as library books, films, and resources.

Expo application link: https://www.ohio.edu/sustainability/expo.cfm Sugar Bush projects: https://www.ohio.edu/advancement/sugarbush/projects.cfm Course research projects: https://business.ohio.edu/about/news/class-presents-sustainable-solutions-at-ohio-university-student-expo/ Voinovich Scholars: https://www.ohio.edu/voinovichschool/students/current/htc.cfm General library services: https://www.ohio.edu/library Environmental Studies library guide: http://libguides.library.ohiou.edu/environmental-studies Sustainable fashion library guide: http://libguides.library.ohiou.edu/retail/sustainablefashion Data provided by Roxanne Male-Brune, Director, Grants Development & Projects, VP for Research Division, and Kelly Broughton, Assistant Dean for Research & Education Services, Library.