Exploratory Research Groups

Exploratory Research Groups (ERGs) are a new initiative of the Sustainability Institute intended to support early-stage, exploratory research on a range of faculty-determined topics of interest.

Exploratory Research Groups

 

Exploratory Research Groups (ERGs) are designed to support early-stage, exploratory research and creative expression on a range of faculty-determined topics. The Sustainability Institute (SI), in collaboration with other units and programs on campus, aims to support researchers from across the university in growing collaborative, interdisciplinary teams focused on sustainability or resilience topics. SI is committed to supporting ERGs through ongoing partnership, including support through networking, in-kind services, and limited financial resources as possible, to best address the unique challenges and opportunities of each group. The overall intent of ERGs are to:

  • Help build connections and community across researchers with similar interests.
  • Support and grow ongoing interactions of interdisciplinary groups faculty and researchers that may also include students or external partners.
  • Provide a means for faculty or research staff that are new to the university to meet their community of similarly interested scholars.
  • Grow the capacity of interdisciplinary teams to compete for larger grants and awards. 
  • Provide opportunities for mentorship, leadership and professional development for junior faculty and researchers.

Below is a list of the current ERGs. Each group's page features details on the group's intended activities and goals, as well as information on when the group meets and how to get involved.  Each group has an identified leader (or co-leaders) who can provide more details if you have questions about a specific ERG. For more information on the ERG initiative, contact Kate Bartter.

Cohort 1 ERGs

Cohort 1 included the inaugural group of ERGs that launched in the fall of 2021 and sunset in the fall of 2024.

  • Intentional Sustainability Community
  • Race and Sustainability: Pollution, Health Outcomes and Life Expectancy (in collaboration with the Kirwan Institute)
  • Speculative Eco Futures
  • Sustainable Finance
  • Urban Rivers

cohort 2 ergs

The Cohort 2 ERGs listed below launched in the fall of 2023.