John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
Stanford University is taking steps to enhance sustainability education for its undergraduate students. The initiative comes with the expansion of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, aiming to provide all undergraduates with access to a top-tier education in sustainability.
A working group comprising faculty, staff, and students has been established to evaluate current sustainability offerings and suggest improvements. This group is led by Kathryn Ann “Kam” Moler, who has previously served as transition dean for the Doerr School of Sustainability and was vice provost and dean of research at Stanford from 2018 to 2023.
Arun Majumdar, dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability into various fields of study. "Our goal is to ensure that every Stanford undergraduate student has the opportunity to receive a world-class education in sustainability, regardless of their field of study," he stated.
The working group includes two students and six faculty members from different departments within the school. It also features Professor Dan Edelstein from Stanford’s Civic, Liberal, and Global Education program and Shari Palmer from the office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE).
Moler highlighted the group's commitment to enhancing student experiences in sustainability education: “It’s important to me that we honor all of the different journeys that everybody is on.”
The group will meet weekly with plans to propose actionable options for community feedback by winter quarter's end. Their focus will be on understanding both existing courses and potential gaps while considering broader definitions of sustainability.
Varun Shirhatti, a senior coterminal student in Earth systems involved in the group, noted his interest in bridging disciplines related to sustainability. He mentioned ongoing discussions about how various fields can contribute meaningfully to this area.
Cayden Luby, another student representative pursuing a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering, stressed the need for incorporating diverse student perspectives into this process due to skepticism surrounding corporate approaches to sustainability.
Opportunities for community engagement will be available through postings on relevant events calendars at Stanford. Moler underscored her belief in collective wisdom: “I believe very deeply in the wisdom of the community – we need to get input from people.”
The working group's efforts aim at aligning educational improvements with interdisciplinary trends while addressing pressing environmental challenges such as pollution or resource scarcity.
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