With $1.2 billion in annual research activity, UNC-Chapel Hill is ranked the 13th largest U.S. research university. Across the University’s schools and departments, there’s a wealth of sustainability-related research. During Earth Week in April 2023, Sustainable Carolina hosted its first annual Sustainability Research Symposium in Wilson Library. During the event, nine researchers from varying fields led TEDx-style talks. Chief Sustainability Officer Mike Piehler introduced each speaker.
The speakers included:
- Greg Characklis, Director, Center on Financial Risk in Environmental Systems
- Delia Wegner, Graduate Research Assistant, & Hope Thomson, Project Director, Environmental Finance Center
- Xuewei Wang, Research Scientist, Data Driven EnviroLab
- Noah Kittner, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering
- Megan Lane, Public Science and Internship Coordinator, Center for Public Engagement with Science
- Sarav Arunachalam, Director, Center for Environmental Modeling for Policy Development
- Amanda DelVecchia, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography
- Drew Coleman, Chair, Environment, Ecology and Energy Program
Watch the Sustainability Research Symposium Talks on YouTube
Podcast Bonus Episodes with Symposium Speakers
Dive deeper into the nuances of sustainability research. Our four bonus episodes pull from the Sustainability Research Symposium talks and aim to break down some of the ideas and concepts.
Season 2, Bonus Episode 3: Protecting Water Quality, Improving Air Quality
Guests: Megan Lane (Center for Public Engagement with Science) and Sarav Arunachalam (Center for Environmental Modeling for Policy Development)
Season 2, Bonus Episode 2: Urban Heat Island Effect & Climate Resilience
Guests: Xuewei Wang (Data-Driven EnviroLab) and Noah Kittner (UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health)
Season 2, Bonus Episode 1: Infrastructure, Sustainability and Affordability
Guests: Greg Characklis (Center on Financial Risk in Environmental Systems); Hope Thomson & Delia Wegner (Environmental Finance Center)