Arizona State University School of Sustainability

Arizona State University School of Sustainability
Name	Arizona State University School of Sustainability
Established	2006
Type	Public
City	Tempe
State	Arizona
Country	United States
Parent	Arizona State University

Arizona State University School of Sustainability The School of Sustainability at Arizona State University is an academic unit focused on interdisciplinary study and practice related to sustainability challenges. It operates within a network of campuses and research institutes, engaging with civic partners, international organizations, and private-sector actors. The school integrates approaches drawn from environmental studies, urban planning, public policy, and science and technology to train practitioners and produce research.

History

The School of Sustainability was founded in 2006 during a period of institutional restructuring at Arizona State University that included initiatives associated with Michael Crow and the New American University model, and emerged alongside entities such as the Global Institute of Sustainability and the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. Early leadership connected the school to figures and projects involving John Holdren, Gro Harlem Brundtland, and initiatives linked to the United Nations Environment Programme and the National Science Foundation. The school expanded degree offerings through collaborations with units including the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and the W. P. Carey School of Business, while engaging stakeholders such as the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County, and regional tribal governments including the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community. Growth occurred in parallel with research centers like the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes and partnerships with corporations and NGOs including The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and Siemens.

Academic programs

The school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees that crosscut established departments and professional schools. Programs interface with curricula at School of Sustainability, the Barrett, The Honors College, the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Degree options include Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Arts, and PhD tracks emphasizing methodologies from scholars influenced by Elinor Ostrom, Amartya Sen, Jane Jacobs, and Rachel Carson-inspired environmental studies. Joint and dual-degree pathways exist with the Eller College of Management, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, enabling cross-listings with courses taught in collaboration with faculty associated with the Tempe campus and Downtown Phoenix campus.

Research and centers

Research spans resilience, climate adaptation, urban sustainability, and biodiversity. The school collaborates with the Global Institute of Sustainability, the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes, and specialized labs funded through grants by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Projects have engaged international partners such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and regional initiatives tied to the Sonoran Desert and the Colorado River. Affiliations extend to centers that study food systems, water policy, and social-ecological systems alongside institutions like Arizona Department of Water Resources, U.S. Geological Survey, and Heifer International.

Campus and facilities

Facilities supporting the school include academic buildings on the Tempe campus and research space in the Global Futures Laboratory complex, with connections to green infrastructure projects such as demonstration sites modeled after Ellen Swallow Richards-inspired systems. Laboratory partnerships involve the Biodesign Institute, field sites across the Sonoran Desert National Monument region, and collaborative offices within shared spaces with the Center for Solutions to Sustainable Cities and other ASU research units. The school utilizes resources at the ASU Polytechnic campus and engages extension-style activities through networks similar to land-grant outreach, coordinating with agencies like the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Reclamation on applied research.

Outreach and partnerships

Outreach emphasizes municipal, tribal, and international engagement. The school partners with local governments such as the City of Phoenix, nonprofit organizations like The Nature Conservancy and World Resources Institute, and global entities including the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. Educational outreach aligns with community colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District and K–12 networks linked to initiatives supported by foundations including the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Professional development and executive education collaborations have tied the school to corporations such as Intel, Honeywell, and General Motors on sustainability strategy and workforce training.

Notable faculty and alumni

Faculty and affiliates have included scholars and practitioners who have held roles in organizations like the United Nations, the National Academy of Sciences, and federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency. Visiting and resident scholars have had associations with figures connected to the Rockefeller Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and award programs like the Pritzker Prize-adjacent initiatives. Alumni have pursued careers at NGOs such as Conservation International, government roles within the Arizona Governor's Office, positions in corporations including SRP and Honeywell, and academic appointments at institutions like University of California, Berkeley, Yale University, and University of Oxford.

Category:Arizona State University Category:Environmental studies schools