Bates College
AC-10: Support for Research

Bates Environmental Internships give students a chance to understand some of the complexities and unpredictable variables that accompany environmental work. The experience also provides a way for students to test in the field some of the theories and arguments encountered in courses. Projects may include hands-on conservation work, environmental education, environmental research, political advocacy, environmental law, or other areas related to environmental questions. They can involve domestic or international opportunities. Internships must be (1) eight weeks or longer and (2) a full-time position involving a minimum of 30 hours per week. Awards will range from $1,000-5,000 and generally are used to provide salary for a volunteer or low-paying position. Funds can also be requested to defray unusual expenses (e.g., high cost of international airfare) associated with the completion of the internship. The criteria for the selection of Environmental Interns are: (1) the degree to which the internship opportunity will lead to personal growth on the part of the student; (2) evidence of academic and other preparation for the proposed internship; (3) evidence that the internship can be implemented and completed as specified in the proposal. Academic credit is not granted for these internships. Preference will be given to applicants who have not been previously supported through this program.

One multidisciplinary facet of Bates sustainability research is the work done at our Bates Morse Mtn. Conservation Area, which is used as a research station for several different departments that focus on researching sustainability topics. Bates faculty and students have conducted coastal research since 1977, when Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area was made available to the college for such purposes. Since the additional acquisition of the Bates College Coastal Center at Shortridge (BCCCS) in 1996, and the completion of renovations in 2008, the combined sites (BMMCA/BCCCS) have increasingly served faculty, students and researchers, producing over 85 publications, theses and reports over the college’s history of coastal research. These projects have typically taken place in the form of undergraduate theses or independent studies and in many cases have resulted in student presentations at regional and national meetings. In the last five years, student and faculty research at the Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area has focused on such varying disciplines as bird anatomy, indicator species, geological studies, emphasizing salt marsh biogeochemical cycling, carbon sequestration and storage, and sediment transport. This work has produced 14 senior theses and several publications by Bates College faculty and colleagues, including the recent publication of Coastal Blue Carbon: methods for assessing carbon stocks and emissions in mangroves, tidal salt marshes and sea grass meadows (Conservation International, 2014), of which Geology Professor Bev Johnson is a lead author. Other recent publications include research on the efficacy of ditch plug restoration in salt marshes (Vincent, et al 2013; Vincent et al. 2013). The table below lists senior theses, reports, and publications stemming from research at BMMCA and the Bates College Coastal Center at Shortridge since 1977. Although the list is not exhaustive it reflects a 37 year commitment to on-going undergraduate and faculty research. http://www.bates.edu/harward/bmmcashortridge-field-research/#list-of-publications Also - http://www.bates.edu/dof/faculty-scholarship/grants-teaching-support/

Regarding resources for Sustainability or Environmental Studies, we have a number of databases and other electronic resources available to faculty, students and staff. Here is a link to the "Environmental Studies" research guide. The top left box labeled "Search Environmental Studies Articles" might be the best list for you. One should start with Environment Complete, GreenFILE or Agricola. http://libguides.bates.edu/Environmental_Studies

Also - http://www.bates.edu/academics/student-research/summer/