Research to Action Webinar Series
The Institute for Sustainable Earth (ISE) community consists of over 550 faculty who conduct research within all areas of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To leverage Mason’s strengths and maximize impact, ISE has identified six research themes to serve as focal points around which to build transdisciplinary communities of research and practice. These research themes broadly align with the UN SDGs and the efforts of the global sustainability community. To highlight each of the six research themes, ISE is hosting a researcher-practitioner webinar series designed to explore the intersecting dimensions of key sustainability goals, discuss the interactions between research and practice, and inspire novel collaborations to identify solutions.
Sustainable and Resilient Communities and Ecosystems
February 3, 2021
George Mason University’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth (ISE) and Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC) co-hosted this webinar on Sustainable and Resilient Communities and Ecosystems. This webinar highlights urban and peri-urban sustainability and resilience challenges – including systemic interactions with terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The speakers address work being done to support the development of communities that are environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, economically productive, and resilient to shocks and significant stress.
Moderator
Celso Ferreira, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering, Volgenau School of Engineering.
Panelists
Elise Miller-Hooks, Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering, Volgenau School of Engineering.
Tonya Thornton, Research Assistant Professor and Director of Grants, Schar School of Policy and Government.
Bambi Semroc, Acting Head, Senior Vice-President, Sustainable Lands and Waters, Conservation International.
Stefanie Kupka, Sustainability Coordinator, Department of Community Development & Planning, Environment, City of Fairfax.
Equality, Equity, and Access to Basic Goods and Services
March 2, 2021
George Mason University’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth and Business for a Better World Center co-hosted this webinar on Equality, Equity, and Access to Basic Goods and Services. Cultural and structural inequalities based on income, sex, age, disability, race, ethnicity, religion and opportunity preclude human rights, prevent justice, create vulnerabilities, and undermine sustainability. Additionally, The COVID-19 pandemic and concurrent economic crisis have severely intensified global disparities and threatened the security of hundreds of millions.
This panel discussion focuses on how researchers and practitioners are working together to address local and global disparities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to threaten the security of hundreds of millions. The speakers highlight ongoing efforts aimed at reducing inequality (SDG 5 and SDG 10), enhancing equality, and ensuring access to basic goods and services (SDG 1, SDG 2, and SDG 6) for everyone.
Moderator
Jack Goldstone, Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Center for the Study of Social Change, Institutions and Policy (SCIP), Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University.
Panelists
Donee Alexander, Senior Director of Evidence and Impact, Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA).
Manish Bapna, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, World Resources Institute (WRI).
Tehama Lopez Bunyasi, Assistant Professor of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University.
JP Singh, Professor of International Commerce and Policy, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University.
Human Health, Well-being, and Capabilities
March 26, 2021
George Mason University’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth and Institute for Biohealth Innovation are co-hosted this webinar on Human Health, Well-Being, and Capabilities. Good health and well-being are critical to sustainability as they are fundamental to human dignity and inextricably linked to all other aspects of our global society— as demonstrated by the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, our capabilities underlie our ability to achieve good health and well-being. In this context, this panel discussion examines the environmental and social determinants of health, well-being, and capabilities and addresses individual and systemic drivers that lead to poor health outcomes. The speakers highlight ongoing initiatives aimed at providing security from disease and promoting the well-being and capabilities required to lead fulfilling lives and discuss the interaction of research and action in this space.
Moderator
Germaine Buck Louis, Dean, College of Health and Human Services.
Panelists
Emily Ihara, Chair & Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services.
Kathryn Jacobsen, Professor, Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services.
Todd Kashdan, Professor of Psychology & Director of the Well-being Laboratory, Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Martha Kubik, Professor & Director of the School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Services.
Clean Energy, Decarbonization, and Climate Action
April 16, 2021
George Mason University’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth and the Center For Climate Change Communication are co-hosted this webinar on Clean Energy, Decarbonization, and Climate Action. The increasing threats of climate change require urgent and concerted effort to mitigate atmospheric carbon emissions and strengthen adaptive capacities to climate threats in both highly industrialized and developing countries. This webinar highlights the importance of decarbonizing the global economy, ensuring universal access to modern and renewable energy sources, and strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. The speakers address the research and practice of clean energy technology and innovation policy, the health effects of climate change, and the development of clean and renewable energy sources.
Moderator
Ed Maibach, University Professor and Director of the Center for Climate Change Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Panelists
David Hart, Professor and Director of the Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, Schar School of Public Policy and Government.
John Kotcher, Research Assistant Professor, Center for Climate Change Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Nick Snow, Treasurer and Steering Committee Member, Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action.
Nash Uria, Project Director, Fluence.
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions to Support Thriving Economies
April 30, 2021
George Mason University’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth and the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution are co-hosted this webinar on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions for Thriving Economies. The lack of peace, justice, and strong institutions undermines the stability of society, increases the prevalence of violence and crime, perpetuates violations of civil rights and liberties, and leads to internal displacement and mass migration that can destabilize the global community and destroy economies.
This webinar addresses issues such as peace and conflict resolution mechanisms, good governance, the rule of law, judicial and administrative systems, and transparent and accountable public institutions. In so doing, speakers highlight research and action that shed light on the institutional frameworks and inclusive decision-making and participatory processes required for fostering representative, responsive, and inclusive societies and strong economies.
Moderator
Karina Korostelina, Professor of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Panelists
Cher Chen, Associate Professor, School of Integrative Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Bridget Moix, US Executive Director, Peace Direct.
Alpaslan Özerdem, Dean, Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Branka Panic, Founder, AI for Peace.
Harnessing the Digital Revolution for Sustainability and Education for All
May 21, 2021
George Mason University’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth (ISE) and Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA) are co-hosted this webinar on Harnessing the Digital Revolution for Sustainability and Education for All. This webinar addresses how new digital capabilities are advancing our scientific understanding of social and environmental systems. Speakers highlight how technological advances and big data can support the attainment of the sustainable development goals – with a special emphasis on education for all. In addition, the webinar addresses mechanisms for ensuring equity and inclusivity in the data revolution so that data and technologies are useful and accessible for many diverse users.
Moderator
Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor, Mathematical Sciences.
Panelists
Jennifer Garard, Science Officer & Manager, Sustainability in the Digital Age, Future Earth.
Ed Kearns, Chief Data Officer of First Street Foundation.
Holly Matto, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services.
Hemant Purohit, Assistant Professor, Information Sciences & Technology Department; and Director, Humanitarian, Semantics & Informatics Lab, Volgenau School of Engineering.