SCALe Pathways for Faculty 

Want to use Duke's campus as a backdrop for teaching and researching sustainability and climate change? We're here to partner.

The Sustainability and Climate Applied Learning (SCALe) program aims to support Duke faculty across all disciplines to infuse climate and sustainability into their teaching and applied research endeavors that relate to Duke’s campus.

Ways to Get Involved

Wondering how to connect your courses and applied research to campus-specific examples of sustainability and climate change? From the arts to the sciences and everything in between, it all connects.

Visit the Climate and Sustainability Education Resource Hub.

Two students lean over a ledge with a measuring tape to measure the depth of water flowing past.

Thematic areas of interest for climate and sustainability inquiry at Duke include topics like buildings, energy, food and dining, grounds, investment, justice, procurement, social behavior, transportation, waste, water and more.

Consider modifying an existing course module, inviting a guest speaker, or incorporating other experiential and applied learning approaches as avenues to engage your students with climate and sustainability concepts in the context of Duke's campus. (Other approaches may include simulations, case studies, team client projects, service-learning opportunities, debates, and scenario planning related to Duke.)

Contact Emily Bilcik to brainstorm approaches that guide students to analyze, evaluate, reflect on, and solve for real-world challenges on Duke’s campus.

Our team can connect you with the appropriate stakeholders and potential clients, provide data, and offer logistical information that you'll need to navigate campus protocols and etiquette for implementing campus projects. 

A large group of students wearing orange vests listens to a drone pilot as he demonstrates the drone's features while it is parked on a landing pad.

Request mini grant funding to enhance your course or to initiate a project that aligns with Duke’s Climate Commitment goals.

There are two types of grants available to faculty: SCALe Mini Grants and Course Enhancement Mini Grants. Among other things, Course Enhancement Mini Grants can cover the cost of transportation to local fieldtrips that support sustainability and climate education. 

Faculty-submitted SCALe Mini Grant projects should offer opportunities to deeply engage Duke students.

metal grates for stormwater drainage with pinecones sitting on top

Inquire about ‘adopting a project’ from the Campus Needs List.

These projects have a predefined scope and question of interest identified by a campus partner.

If selected, you’ll work with your students to support the needs of a Duke entity according to their real-world sustainability or climate challenges. Faculty may include these projects in their courses if applicable. 

Under a blue sky, two students roll a wheelbarrow full of shovels and rakes while smiling and balancing the tools.

Add your course and student projects to the Applied Learning Project Library.

Explore how faculty, staff and students have addressed sustainability and climate change on campus through academic assignments, internships, and SCALe mini grants.

By contributing your course assignment description or project details, you'll inspire others with ideas to explore Duke as a backdrop for sustainability and climate change education.

Join the Sustainability & Climate Applied Learning (SCALe) Network and invite others. 

A group of professionals sit in chairs and listen to a person presenting posters at the front of a room.

This network provides space for Duke faculty and staff to connect and learn from each other.

Stay in the know about ongoing campus-related sustainability and climate projects and find opportunities to get involved.

We host events and brainstorming sessions, encourage relationship building and mentoring, provide updates, and offer recognition to applied learning champions. 

Faculty and staff can contact Emily Bilcik to receive calendar invites and networking updates.

A spotlight lights up a Duke athletic field with silhouettes of people sitting on couches in front of a stadium of people

Recognize an individual for their contributions to Duke's sustainability and climate goals by nominating them for the SCALe Spotlight!

SCALe Spotlight stories celebrate Duke students, staff, faculty and community partners who demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and climate education through applied teaching, learning and action.