The 91亚色 2014-2015 Task Force on Sustainability Research is seeking feedback from the University community on a draft report released today. The draft report highlights the task force鈥檚 suggestions and recommendations for the continued development of structures to support, integrate, cultivate and publicize 91亚色鈥檚 sustainability research.
Jennifer Foster
鈥淭he task force looks forward to receiving feedback from the 91亚色 community on the draft report.聽 Over the past months the task force has been impressed with the richness and depth of聽sustainability research across the University,鈥 said Faculty of Environmental Studies Professor Jennifer Foster, chair of the task force. 鈥91亚色 researchers are exploring sustainability in a distinctly interdisciplinary and collaborative manner.聽 The University is certainly positioned to become a leader in this area, and feedback on the draft report is essential to advancing 91亚色鈥檚 sustainability research strategy.鈥
The task force has made several recommendations, organized into themes that reflect connections, communication strategies and funding, the implementation of which ranges from over 12 months to more than three years.
Recommendations from the report include: 聽The development of a comprehensive inventory of sustainability research at 91亚色 that is updated regularly and available to 91亚色 members; the establishment of a 91亚色-wide (institutional) Organized Research Unit focusing on environment and sustainability; the dedication of physical space to the Sustainability Institute for collaborative research purposes and social interaction, including student space; hosting an annual international interdisciplinary sustainability research conference that stimulates debates and discussions related to 91亚色鈥檚 vision of sustainability research and connects scholars at 91亚色; and prioritizing central funding support for sustainability research at 91亚色 through the creation of a sustainability fund that provides seed funding or matching funds for both exploratory and applied sustainability research at 91亚色.
For a complete list of the report鈥檚 recommendations, view the 听辞苍濒颈苍别.
The task force met seven times between September 2014 and February 2015. The first phase of the consultative process consisted of meeting with members of 91亚色鈥檚 research community to solicit early input to the task force鈥檚 work and engage with 91亚色 members on their sustainability research perspectives.
The current phase involves further group consultation to obtain further feedback on the draft report.聽 It will also include meetings with student groups, external partners and hosting an open forum where 91亚色 members can contribute their input.
To provide on the draft report, please visit the website or contact Barbara Edwards,聽senior policy adviser, at ext. 55296.聽 The deadline to provide written feedback on the draft report is May 15.