Learning and Research

Our approach to tackling the climate emergency and the crisis of ecological decline naturally puts learning and research at the center of all that we do. We provide a wide range of opportunities for students to build climate- and environment-related learning into their educational experience, regardless of their major. As a college centered on the liberal arts and multidisciplinary inquiry, Vassar excels in fostering the kinds of intellectual investigations that lead to concrete action in the world. Whether through research on water quality, a project on energy data visualization, or a community-engaged learning position with an outside organization, students, faculty, staff, and external partners combine to respond to the climate and environmental crisis with deep learning and passionate engagement.

Environmental Studies

With a long history, Environmental Studies at Vassar is a fully multidisciplinary program that involves the natural and social sciences as well as the arts and humanities. It’s both a popular major and an engine of activity around environmental and climate issues.

The Environmental Research Institute (ERI)

The Environmental Research Institute is a research and public outreach wing of Vassar’s Environmental Studies program. The ERI’s mission is to provide opportunities for faculty and students to conduct research on Earth’s environmental systems, to promote fieldwork, and to foster engagement with the local community.

Undergraduate Research Summer Institute (URSI)

Though not exclusively focused on sustainability, many participants in the Undergraduate Research Summer Institute have focused their research on sustainability topics and challenges.

Sustainability Internships

Each year, the Office of Sustainability hires around twelve student interns both assist with and to take the lead on the office’s work. The interns carry out projects, conduct research, and engage in activities in areas such as publicity and outreach, waste reduction, and data collection and analysis.

Community-Engaged Learning

The Community-Engaged Learning Program provides students with the opportunity to learn alongside community partner organizations and make real-world connections to enhance their academic experiences. Student routinely work with organizations focused on environmental justice, food security, and other areas within sustainability.

The Preserve at Vassar

Right across the street from the main campus area, the Preserve has a 475-acre natural area and a field station. The ecological preserve is an invaluable resource for Vassar scientists. Classes in biology, biochemistry, earth science, and environmental studies use the preserve for observation and research, and professors and students have numerous independent research projects under way at any given time.

The Environmental Cooperative

Located on the grounds of the Preserve at Vassar, the Environmental Cooperative is an outreach initiative that works to bring more people to the Preserve for structured education programs, while also facilitating Vassar student engagement in conservation efforts off-campus. Its programs inspire deeper engagement in the natural world while fostering a mindset of environmental stewardship.

Student Sustainability Projects Database

The Student Sustainability Projects Database was created by the Office of Sustainability with the intention of keeping a record of student work in sustainability, environmental studies, or anything having to do with the environment. Many of these final class projects or research projects end up lost as they are not on a public forum where others can access them. This database allows students and other members of the Vassar community to see a record of the project. Help grow the database by contributing one of your projects.