SCALe Pathways for Staff

Have a sustainability or climate related campus project that could use some extra hands? Let's create a win-win collaboration with Duke students!

The Sustainability and Climate Applied Learning (SCALe) program aims to partner with Duke staff to identify locally relevant sustainability and climate challenges and opportunities on campus that students and faculty can support through hands-on education, applied research, service and community engagement.

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Provide insights on climate and sustainability needs at Duke by sharing challenges and opportunities specific to your work. Add to the Campus Needs List today!

As a Duke staff member, your understanding of the university's operations is crucial in identifying areas for opportunity and improvement.

Capable students and faculty may be matched to support your needs through courses or applied research projects, helping you make progress.

Students and faculty can offer valuable information, data, and insights to inform future decision-making, program development and more in your department.

A person sits at a picnic table with art supplies and leaves from plants to create a cyanotype print using the sun and natural materials.

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

Staff-submitted mini grant projects should offer opportunities to deeply engage Duke students.

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

This network provides space for Duke staff and faculty 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. 

Staff and faculty can contact Emily Bilcik to receive calendar invites and networking updates. 

Three people stand on top of a building looking down at a chiller plant with trees and the sky in the background.

Add your student-centric projects to the Applied Learning Project Library.

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

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

A person wearing a Duke employee uniform and hat edges the lawn with a weed eater landscaping tool.

Serve as a project advisor, guest speaker, place-based field trip guide, or consultant on projects that could benefit from your operational insights.

Visit the Campus Needs List and Applied Learning Project Library for examples of past collaborations.

Contact Emily Bilcik if you are interested.

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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.