Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.15
Liaison Amber Saxton
Submission Date Jan. 8, 2021

STARS v2.2

George Mason University
AC-10: Support for Sustainability Research

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Dann Sklarew
Fellow of Sustainability Studies
Office of the Provost
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Student sustainability research incentives 

Does the institution have an ongoing program to encourage students in multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct sustainability research?:
Yes

A brief description of the student sustainability research program:
The Institute for a Sustainable Earth is proud to participate in the Global Sustain+Ability Scholars program, which trains and supports rising young professionals from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and worldviews. The Global Sustain+Ability Scholars program constitutes a professional community working on global sustainable development challenges. This effort spans cultures, borders and disciplines. Students are provided a stipend and travel expenses are covered.

https://ise.gmu.edu/undergraduate-student-funding-opportunities/

Faculty sustainability research incentives 

Does the institution have a program to encourage academic staff from multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct sustainability research?:
Yes

A brief description of the faculty sustainability research program:
Mason has the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC), which is a interdisciplinary collection of faculty. Expertise includes chemistry, ecology, geology, environmental science and education. PEREC faculty participates in a variety of research and community outreach programs. This facility encourages faculty to conduct research on restoration of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, suburban sustainability, global climate change, management of natural ecosystems, and community outreach and education.

The Institute for a Sustainable Earth puts research and scholarship into action to support a just, prosperous, and sustainable world. The institute provides a number of programs and resources to encourage sustainability research. For instance, ISE Seed Funding brings faculty from across campus together for transdisiplinary projects.

https://ise.gmu.edu/rfp/

Recognition of interdisciplinary, transdisciplnary and multi-disciplinary research 

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?:
Yes

A copy of the promotion or tenure guidelines or policies:
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The promotion or tenure guidelines or policies:
Each college/school has a customized, comprehensive tenure and promotion guideline to set consistent teaching, research and service expectations within the unit. Guidelines recognize disciplinary differences and connect to the annual assessment and reappointment processes.

Each college's tenure process is listed here: https://provost.gmu.edu/administration/policy/promotion-and-tenure-guidelines

Library support

Does the institution have ongoing library support for sustainability research and learning?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s library support for sustainability research:
Mason's library provides a resource librarian for Integrative Studies and the Environmental Science and Policy department, which jointly offers the Environmental and Sustainability Studies BA. This librarian has created an online infoguide to support sustainability research carried out by students in this major. This website assists students in finding articles, books, and databases for action research involving sustainability.

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s support for sustainability research is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.