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The Sustainability and Climate Applied Learning (SCALe) program connects staff and faculty to passionate student leaders with the goal of fostering progress on tangible, applied research projects that support Duke departments in meeting their climate and sustainability goals.
Collaborating with Duke students on important climate and sustainability endeavors across campus offers increased bandwidth and new ideas for this collective effort while also equipping students with hands-on experience and skills development for future careers.
Duke staff and instructors are invited to propose an existing need to the Campus Needs List.
Check out the FAQ below before submitting a proposal.
CURRENT CAMPUS NEEDS At A GLANCE
| Duke Entity | Campus Need | Seeking partners | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah P. Duke Gardens | Collect and analyze water samples from the Doris Duke Center's copper roof and investigate whether rainwater capture from the roof is safe for plant health. |
1) A student interested in this opportunity as the basis for a class assignment or independent study OR 2) An instructor to incorporate the project into a course during Fall 2024. | Available |
| Office of Climate and Sustainability | Improve Duke's greenhouse gas data system to increase usability and accessibility of data. |
1) A student interested in this opportunity as a paid internship opportunity or as the basis for a credit-bearing independent study OR 2) A team of students interested in this opportunity as the focus of their academic project (a master's or capstone project, for example). | In-progress |
| Duke East Campus Dormitories Blackwell and Randolph Residence Halls | Determine what types of sustainability programming could be implemented by Faculty in Residence to engage first-year students living in Blackwell and Randolph. | -- | Completed |
| Duke Campus Farm |
Recommend potential transportation options to reduce the carbon footprint of farm visitors and increase student access to the farm. | -- | Completed |
|
Sarah P. Duke Gardens | Compile a narrative about people who lived in the time period 1870-1935 in proximity to where Sarah P. Duke Gardens exists today to support Duke Garden's in training employees and volunteers to relay this information to visitors. | -- | Completed |
FAQs
Duke staff and faculty are invited to propose an existing need to the Campus Needs List.
You or someone on your team should be the primary contact and liaison for this project idea, meaning the project is directly tied to your work at Duke. If a student is matched to the research project, they will investigate the identified need and communicate findings to you once finished.
Please consider potential applied research projects related to the sustainability and climate needs that exist on campus and in alignment with your area of work.
Use the Needs Proposal Form to propose your idea.
Please keep in mind the following as you propose your needs:
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One idea per form submission: If you have multiple project ideas, please submit them separately.
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Project scope: Proposed applied research projects should have a defined scope appropriate for a Duke undergraduate or graduate student to lead and complete within one to two semesters. The "research" you propose does not have to be publishable; for instance, it can be used internally to inform decision making or program development at Duke.
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Expectations: You or someone on your team should be the primary contact for this project idea. If a student is matched to the research project, they will investigate the identified need and communicate findings to you once finished. You will not be required to mentor the student(s) on a regular basis, but at minimum we ask that you meet with the student(s) at the onset of the project to clarify your needs and set them up for success. A staff member from the Office of Climate and Sustainability will guide you if a student is matched.
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Project criteria: Consider research projects that could build upon past and current efforts in your department or offer support on new climate and sustainability opportunities. Your defined need should have clear expectations for deliverables/outputs from the student(s) who may become involved.
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Next steps: After form submission, a staff member will schedule a short meeting to discuss your idea and determine how students could best support you with your identified need.
Through course-based projects, independent studies, student organization activities and other SCALe program pathways, students and faculty may be matched to support your need by investigating solutions that seek information, data, or other insights to inform your future decision making or program development, etc.
From developing new engagement programs to making suggestions that support the evolution of campus operations, students have always played an integral role in advancing Duke's sustainability progress.
For example...
- The Duke Campus Farm grew from a student-led feasibility study.
- The Duke Dining reusable container program has been advised by student leaders.
- The Duke Forest's citizen science program was nurtured by student collaboration.
The opportunities for collaboration are endless!
Email Emily Bilcik, Assistant Director of Sustainability and Climate Applied Learning with questions.