academics and researchA deep commitment to incorporating sustainability into every student's academic experience creates an environment where the next generation's sustainability leaders thrive. 

 

Sustainability and diversity academic requirements reflect our commitment to a just world and a healthy planet.

UVM's sustainability general education requirement reflects our commitment to a just world and a healthy planet. All UVM undergraduate degree students must  successfully complete one three-credit course to learn about the social, ecological and economic dimensions of sustainability and gain the skills and values to address complex societal problems. Students may choose from a variety of approved sustainability courses

Students can continue to learn about sustainability and contribute to solutions through service-learning courses, internships, and capstone projects. 

The Environment and Sustainability page offers a glimpse of everything from academics to research and ways to get involved. 

Research centers contribute to local and global sustainability.

UVM sustainability-related research facilities include the Miller Farm, Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Lab, Horticulture Research and Education Center, Food Systems Initiative, Gund Institute for the Environment, Clean Cities Coalition, Center for Rural Studies, the Complex Systems Center, the Office of Engagement and the Transportation Research Center,

Students are scholars for change.

UVM has energetic students engaging in original research, affecting their communities, academic fields, and the world. Many students develop independent research projects with the help of faculty mentors, and many of the projects contribute to real solutions for sustainability challenges at UVM. 

Read about some of the recent scholarship undertaken by undergraduates with sustainability as a theme.

Campus sustainability cultural assessment efforts.

Since 2001 there have been periodic surveys of the UVM community's beliefs, awareness and behaviors around sustainability. While each assessment has a different focus based on the needs and interests of the time they were conducted, they all help build our understanding of what the campus community thinks and supports around the topic of sustainability and how that has evolved over the years. In addition to earning us points in STARS these assessments help us identify trends, gaps and areas for improvement or celebration.


Learn more about studying sustainability at UVM 

75%

of departments have sustainability course offerings, and 20% of all courses taught in 2018-2019 were sustainability-related.

 

Academic sustainability in the news:

 

UVM Study: for ocean species to survive climate change, large populations needed

 

Teaching Sustainability at UVM

This multidisciplinary learning community engages in a year-long exploration of sustainability, systems thinking and pedagogy. Originally conceived to further integrate concepts of sustainability throughout the undergraduate curriculum (especially beyond environmental sciences), the program has evolved to examine sustainability through the lenses of equity, diversity, and social justice, and connects the curriculum to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Read the full Teaching Sustainability at UVM Report (PDF).

 

See episodes of the Ripple Effect, a student podcast that curates conversations on sustainability and climate at UVM. Funded by the Ian Worley Award and the Environmental Program.