A new report from a Stanford University working group recommends integrating sustainability education across all undergraduate disciplines. The group, formed in January 2025 by university and school leaders, developed the plan after collecting feedback from students, faculty, and academic staff.
The report highlights significant demand for existing sustainability programs at Stanford. In 2025, the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Summer Internship Program received ten times more applications than available positions. The document urges collaboration between the Doerr School and Stanford’s six other schools to expand access and foster innovation.
“Our goal was never to expect every student to become a full-time sustainability expert, but to listen to their needs and create multiple, flexible pathways,” said Professor Kathryn Ann “Kam” Moler, chair of the Undergraduate Sustainability Education Working Group. “We aimed to provide a student-centered framework to sustain, celebrate, and improve these offerings.”
The group interpreted its charge as ensuring that all undergraduates have opportunities to gain knowledge and skills related to sustainability, explore deeper engagement if desired, and potentially become future leaders addressing global challenges. Their recommendations focus on empowering faculty and students in shaping sustainability education.
The working group spent winter and spring quarters gathering data through surveys. Findings show that while there is widespread interest in sustainability among students, practical barriers often limit participation. Faculty also expressed strong interest in enhancing introductory courses and experiential learning options.
“This report provides a visionary and practical roadmap for the future of undergraduate education in sustainability,” said Arun Majumdar, dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. “It recognizes that addressing the world’s sustainability challenges and opportunities will require collaboration from every field – from engineering and policy to the arts and humanities. Stanford is committed to equipping all our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to be of service to humanity and our planet.”
According to the report, nearly 2,200 undergraduates enrolled in courses offered by the Doerr School during 2024-25. About two-thirds of seniors graduating in spring 2025 had taken at least one course from the school during their time at Stanford. Additional opportunities are available through campus partnerships, student groups, summer research programs, and other schools within Stanford.
A key recommendation is creating a “Wayfinding Framework,” which would offer flexible options tailored to different student interests and career goals. Survey data identified several student personas—such as those seeking clear links between coursework and employment or those requiring courses that fit into strict schedules—to inform this approach.
The working group suggests forming a new team responsible for implementing these recommendations alongside faculty and staff. Proposed actions include expanding introductory classes, improving teaching methods, increasing study abroad options focused on sustainability topics, considering notations or capstone experiences for any major interested in sustainability themes, and providing ways for students to give ongoing feedback.
“The undergrads were the MVPs – they had their fingers on the pulse of exactly what needed to be done,” said Professor Kabir Peay about student contributions within the group. “It would be great to incorporate that very broadly because the students know what’s going on.”
Student member Cayden Luby described her experience: “I want to emphasize that the students being treated as equals in this working group is important for the work.”
Professor Peay added: “This vision gives me confidence in stepping into a leadership role in education for the school. The first thing we need to do is harness faculty enthusiasm to get these next steps going.”
The report emphasizes including mechanisms for student input as new initiatives roll out.
Moler holds appointments in applied physics (School of Humanities & Sciences) as well as energy science (Doerr School). Peay is professor of biology (Humanities & Sciences), Earth system science (Doerr School), and senior fellow at Stanford Woods Institute for Environment.
A summary of this 164-page report was created with AI assistance; quoted sources reviewed all material before publication.
This story originally appeared via Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.
