University at Albany
ER-15: Sustainability Research Identification

An informal group was convened in the spring/summer of 2012 to create a working definition for sustainability as well as develop the scope of sustainability related projects. The definition and scope of sustainability was compiled by the following individuals: Jeremy Grunstra, Graduate Assistant, Environmental Sustainability Dr. Gary Kleppel, Professor in the Biology Department Dr. David Lewis, Professor in the Geography and Planning Department Dr. Mary Ellen Mallia, Director of Environmental Sustainability Dr. Kendra Smith-Howard, Professor in the History Department The determination of sustainability courses and research projects was conducted by Mary Ellen Mallia and Jeremy Grunstra using the template developed below. Preamble: Sustainability’s broadest definition entails “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland 1987). At UAlbany, this translates into creating a citizenry whose understanding of and commitment to environmental sustainability informs and shapes the choices they make in their everyday lives, in the communities in which they live and work, in their careers and in the myriad other ways they serve as citizens in a democratic society. Definition: Sustainability entails recognizing one’s membership in the broader social and ecological community, exhibiting appreciation of and respect for others and the natural world, and acting justly to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of human communities and natural systems. Template: A course or research project was included in our data base if it dealt with the following topics. Society - JusticeHuman interaction Environmental Justice Quality of Life Human Health Education Mental and Social Well-Being Crime Prevention Human Rights Community Enhancement Development of Social Culture Environment - Stewardship Interaction with the natural world Preservation of Environment Climate Change Carbon Footprint Prevent Pollution Conservation of Resources Economics - Equity Ecological valuation Valuation of Externalities Lifecycle Analysis Fair Cost Accounting Employment Security Fair Compensation Poverty Labor rights

A data base of all grant funded research was available. This was searched to identify sustainable research. In addition, Departments and Research Centers were contacted and department/faculty websites were review to get a listing of non-funded research. A template as to the subjects that would be considered sustainable was developed by the Director of Environmental Sustainability and all reserach gathered was reviewed against this template to determine if the work would be considered sustainability research.