Add as a preferred source on Google

American University Launches Sustainability Research Project

  • By Matt Jones
  • 12/05/24

American University in Washington, D.C., recently began a research project exploring the relationship between purchase decisions for university campuses and sustainability, according to a news release. The study seeks to explore how “greening” the purchases involved in student housing renovations, breaking ground on new facilities, buying new equipment and supplies, and more, can foster larger sustainability goals.

Researchers will use a systems approach to discover how to boost employee engagement and study the dynamics of staff, vendors, and the university’s sustainability office during the decision-making process. Final results will be shared with other universities to help them achieve sustainability goals, the news release reports.

“The project is a great example of how research can have a positive impact on campus,” said Megan Litke, director of the university’s Office of Sustainability. “By better understanding where the opportunities exist within the purchasing chain, we can engage our community to make decisions that will drive down AU's emissions and continue to deepen AU’s progress in sustainability.”

Funding for the study comes through a Faculty Research Incubator Grant from the university’s Center for Environment, Community & Equity. About 92 percent of an organization’s climate emissions come from procurement, according to the news release citing the Climate Disclosure Project. Facilities’ managers decisions about materials, transportation, and packaging lead to significant effects on greenhouse gas emissions.

“The CECE Faculty Research Incubator Grant Program supports emergent interdisciplinary environmental research projects at American University,” said CECE Director Professor Dana R. Fisher. “Through this program, we aim to encourage the type of cross-disciplinary research necessary to solving the environmental issues plaguing our society today.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • UNL Kiewit Hall

    Designing for Engineering Excellence: Integrating Sustainability and Wellness at UNLs Kiewit Hall

    Kiewit Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exemplifies how academic institutions can integrate sustainability and wellness into modern learning environments. With an integrated and collaborative team approach, Kiewit Hall addresses enhanced learning and creativity, physical health, and mental wellness, and fosters a sense of community through innovative design, operations, and policy solutions.

  • UNT Dallas Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for $100M STEM Building

    The University of North Texas at Dallas in Dallas, Texas, recently celebrated the opening of its new, $100-million STEM Building, according to local news. The ceremony on Dec. 2 preceded the first day of classes in the facility on Jan. 12, 2026.

  • Construction Begins on East Austin CTE-Focused High School

    The Del Valle Independent School District recently announced that construction has begun on a new CTE-focused high school in Austin, Texas, according to a news release. Del Valle High School will measure in at 473,338 square feet and have the capacity for 2,400 students.

  • classroom with crystal ball on top of a desk

    Call for Opinions: Spaces4Learning 2026 Predictions for Educational Facilities

    As 2025 winds to a close, the Spaces4Learning staff is asking its readers—school administrators, architects, engineers, facilities managers, builders, superintendents, designers, vendors, and more—to send us their predictions for educational facilities in 2026.

Digital Edition