Research Projects

Campus Climate Lab research projects span many disciplines and varied themes, including buildings and operations, reducing waste, curriculum development, climate and health, and advocacy and activism. Get inspired — learn more about current and past projects!

Project Spotlight: Indigenous Curricular and Cultural Exchange Gaps at BU

Research: Students Elizabeth Kostina (Sociology and Architectural Studies, CAS), Delaney Foster (Marine Program, Earth & Environment, CAS), and Selby Vaughn (Biology, CAS) — working with Dr. Nathan Phillips (Earth and Environment) and Parren Fountain (BU Sustainability) — conducted a comprehensive survey of Indigenous curricular offerings and cultural spaces at Boston University, and then compared them to peer institutions. They surveyed students, faculty, and staff at BU and 10 other schools, and interviewed two members of local Indigenous communities involved in higher education to identify gaps in BU’s offerings.

Results: The survey yielded 79 unique responses, 87 percent of which came from BU, to gauge the range of laypeople’s perspectives regarding Indigenous offerings on campuses, especially at BU. About half of the respondents said that Indigenous knowledge was integrated “not well at all” into their school’s curriculum.

Yet, our universities, the very institutions tasked with shaping future leaders and innovators, are failing to adequately incorporate Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into their curricula.

Implementation: The team used their survey results to develop a roadmap with specific next steps for filling the gaps in Indigenous curriculum, cultural activities, and spaces at BU. The students share their findings in a perspective piece for BU Today.

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Ongoing Campus Climate Lab Projects

Buildings and Operations


Advocacy and Activism


Climate and Health


Reducing Waste

 

View all past projects