Sustainability Research Institute

Recent Publications

“The ketchup effect”: Challenges in reconciling growth and justice in Northern Sweden's green transition
Taming the wildfire infosphere in Interior Alaska: Tailoring risk and crisis communications to specific audiences
Governing the green economy in the Arctic

Arctic Research Field Work

The Sustainability Research Institute is a hub for numerous projects devoted to improving our understanding of natural and social processes taking place in the Arctic region. During the summer of 2023, GW faculty, students, and colleagues from partner universities traveled to Yellowknife, Canada to conduct research on urban sustainability. During the trip, they met with artist Beili Liu (pictured below) who trained them in using cyanotype as a way of capturing impressions of the city.

students meet with artist Beili Liu in a classroom

Student Research

At GW, we are deeply dedicated to championing student research within our campus community. Our commitment extends to actively engaging students in all facets of the research journey – from crafting grant proposals to secure external funding, to hands-on fieldwork, and the meticulous preparation of manuscripts destined for publication in esteemed peer-reviewed journals. We believe in empowering our students to not only contribute to, but also thrive in every stage of the research process.

Seed Grants

Each year, the Sustainability Research Institute grants funding awards to support research promoting sustainability on campus and in our community.

2023 Seed Grant Recipients

The Roots and Branches of Sustainability Culture: Extreme Climate Activism

Investigating extreme climate activism (ECA) in Germany, and how countries like Germany become leaders in sustainability and green politics, the role ECA plays in German culture, and how policy makers should respond to ECA.
Margaret Gonglewski, Associate Professor of German & International Affairs, Romance, German & Slavic Languages & Literatures, CCAS, and Nina Kelsey, Associate Professor of Public Policy and International Affairs, ESIA & TSPPPA

Regulating the Cruise Industry to Address Climate Change Impacts and Other Environmental Harms

Investigating greenwashing in the cruise industry, through analyzing marketing materials, sustainability reports, and industry practices.
Seleni Matus, Executive Director, International Institute of Tourism Studies, and Robin Juni, Associate Professor, Fundamentals of Lawyering Program

Communication, Conservation, and Indigeneity in Hawai’i

Investigating the August 2023 wildfires in Hawaii, and how Indigenous communities prepare and respond to natural disasters and climate change on Maui.
Imani M. Cheers, PhD, Associate Professor of Digital Storytelling, School of Media and Public Affairs, Mona Atia, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and International Affairs, and Aman Luthra, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and International Affairs

Standards for Sustainability Governance

Mapping out and conceptualizing sustainability standards, and analyzing how standards interact and affect both the governance and outcomes of sustainability.
Maryam Zarnegar Deloffre, Ph.D. Associate Professor of International Affairs and Director Humanitarian Action Initiative, GWU