Doris Duke Conservation Scholars at UW Publishes Case Study on Organizational Impacts
The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of Washington was an undergraduate diversity bridge program designed to support students from historically underrepresented groups in preparing for careers in conservation, natural resources, and environmental management.
Program team members Meera Lee Sethi and Martha Groom developed this case study to assess whether and how partnering with DDCSP@UW can facilitate organizational change toward greater equity within the conservation nonprofits and government agencies that host its interns, using data from semi structured interviews with current and former mentors.
While true progress toward a more equitable and diverse conservation field is slow and tentative, the authors found that individual mentors can experience profound and lasting changes in personal attitudes and professional behavior that may ripple outward.
Apply Now: Summer Opportunities for Graduate Students
Although the EarthLab Summer Internship Program is only available to UW undergraduate students, we are fortunate to have several Member Organizations that are currently accepting applications for a variety of graduate student programming. Learn more and consider applying with the information below!
Pacific Northwest Climate Ambassador Program
Program on Climate Change and the Washington State Climate Office
The PNW Climate Ambassadors program at the University of Washington seeks to train graduate students studying climate change, its impacts, or potential responses to effectively engage with various sectors of the public. The program will train a cohort of about 10 graduate students to develop presentations on a climate-related topic of interest to a unique sector of the public that is also related to the students’ own area of expertise. To apply, please submit a single pdf that includes both your two-page CV/resume and a one-paragraph statement of why you want to participate in this program and what you hope to learn.
Deadline to Apply: February 1, 2025
2025-2026 Research Fellowship Program Request for Proposals
Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center at the Climate Impacts Group
The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC) Research Fellowship Program supports research related to climate adaptation for Northwest natural and cultural resource management and provides training in the principles and practices of developing decision-relevant science. Funding will be available to support research performed during the 2025-2026 academic year. The funding period is from the beginning of the fall 2024 term through July 31, 2026, with potential for funding to begin as early as the beginning of the Fellow’s summer 2025 term and for extension to the end of summer 2026 term.
Deadline to Apply: March 10, 2025.
Climate Equity and Resilience Summer Institute
Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative at the Climate Impacts Group
The Climate Equity and Resilience Summer Institute (CERSI), formerly called the Science Justice Summer School, is an intensive summer program created for current or recent graduate students (master’s, doctoral, and post-doc), majoring in any discipline who are interested in learning about climate resilience and justice from diverse perspectives. This program is hosted by the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative, a NOAA-funded program housed at the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, and supported by EarthLab.
Deadline to Apply: March 17, 2025, with priority given to applications received by February 28, 2025.
EarthLab Releases First-Ever Impact Report, Showcasing Early Achievements and Future Aspirations
Seattle, WA – October 7, 2024
EarthLab, an institute at the UW College of the Environment taking equitable action on climate change, is proud to announce the release of its inaugural impact report. This document highlights EarthLab’s significant achievements from January 2021 – June 2024 and outlines its ongoing commitment to fostering innovative, equitable climate solutions.
“Releasing EarthLab’s first impact report is an honor that I share on behalf of all the community partners, staff, researchers, and students that make up our community,” shared Executive Director Ben Packard. “This document stands as a testament to the early progress we have made towards the ideas and hopes we identified in our strategic plan and it serves as an important way-marker toward the collective future we wish to build together.”
Highlights from the EarthLab Impact Report
EarthLab’s impact report captures the essence of its dynamic first several years after the release of their strategic plan, which have been marked by significant global events and transformative local actions. Key highlights from the report include:
Investing in research co-created with community: Through the Innovation Grants Program, EarthLab has invested almost $2M to date into 29 interdisciplinary and community-led teams that center on community questions at the intersection of climate change and social justice.
Increasing research capacity with an environmental justice focus: The shared services model that EarthLab employs works to support nine UW centers with technical, operational, and communications services, making it possible for these groups to win big grants while further amplifying their work in the process.
Creating connections at UW and in community: Since 2021, EarthLab has hosted over 60 events that have brought people together across academic disciplines, lived experiences, and professional backgrounds.
Training and mentoring tomorrow’s climate leaders: In 2022, EarthLab launched a new program designed to facilitate interdisciplinary, real-world environmental justice experiences for UW undergraduates, with over 650 applicants applying for less than 40 spots over 3 years.
Looking Ahead
EarthLab’s first impact report highlights our initial steps toward a future filled with meaningful connections and creative solutions to the world’s most urgent environmental challenges. As we look ahead, we are committed to expanding our impact by securing additional funding to sustain and grow our programs, deepen our community partnerships, and support the next generation of climate leaders. With continued support from our partners and stakeholders, we envision EarthLab as a leading example of how universities can drive bold, interdisciplinary solutions to the complex challenges of climate, equity, and justice.
About EarthLab
EarthLab is an institute at the UW College of the Environment taking equitable action on climate change. We push boundaries to develop innovative research, programs, and events that connect across sectors, communities, and academic disciplines, and ultimately create positive impact for people and the planet.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
Allie Long
Communications Lead
EarthLab, University of Washington
alongs@uw.edu
EarthLab Anuncia Primer Informe de Impacto, Mostrando sus Logros y Aspiraciones para el Futuro
Seattle, WA – 7 de octubre de 2024
EarthLab es un instituto ubicado en el Colegio del Medio Ambiente y la Universidad de Washington (UW) que se dedica a promover y tomar acción equitativa contra los cambios climáticos. Con mucho orgullo, EarthLab anuncia la primera edición de su informe sobre su impacto que destaca los logros importantes desde enero 2021 hasta junio 2024. Este documento le da figura a su compromiso para apoyar y promover soluciones para el clima que son innovadores y justos.
“Anunciado el primer y único informe de impacto de parte de EarthLab es un honor grande que comparto con todas las comunidades, empleados, científicos y estudiantes que forman nuestra propia comunidad,” compartió el director ejecutivo, Ben Packard. “Les ofrezco este documento como un testimonio sobre el progreso inicial que hemos hecho sobre las ideas y esperanzas que identificamos en nuestro plan estratégico como organización. También sirve como una herramienta para dirigirnos hacia un futuro que construimos juntos.”
Consecuciones reflejadas en el informe sobre el impacto de EarthLab
Este informe captura la esencia dinámica que caracterizo los primeros años de EarthLab después de publicar su plan estratégico. Estos años representados fueron marcados por eventos significantes al nivel global y acciones transformativas en nuestros locales. Consecuciones claves del informe incluyen:
Invirtiendo en investigaciones creados juntos con comunidad: Hasta la fecha y por parte del Programa de Subvenciones Innovador, EarthLab ha invertido casi $2M dentro de 29 equipos interdisciplinarios y dirigidos por comunidad que centran preguntas que tienen raíces en comunidad en la intersección de cambios climáticos y justicia social.
Creciendo la capacidad de investigaciones con un enfoque hacia la justicia ambiental: EarthLab utiliza un modelo de servicios compartidos para apoyar nueve centros de UW con servicios técnicos, operacionales y de comunicación haciendo posible que ganen estos centros fondos mientras que aplicamos sus alcances durante el proceso.
Creando conexiones dentro de UW y en comunidad: Durante la primavera del 2023, EarthLab contrato a un Líder de Asociaciones Comunitarias que. Esté es un nuevo puesto enfocado en construyendo relaciones sin considerar límites entre comunidades y UW.
Entrenando y aconsejando los líderes climáticos del futuro: En el 2022, EarthLab lanzo un nuevo programa designado para facilitar experiencias interdisciplinarias tocando los temas de justicia ambiental que reflejan la vida real para estudiantes de licenciatura en UW, con más de 650 solicitudes recibidas por cual solo 40 espacios han sido disponibles durante 3 años.
Mirando Adelante
Este informe enfatiza la importancia de construir confianza por términos de comunicación abierta y compartiendo avances. A un mientras EarthLab continúa a crecer, el instituto permanece comprometido a transparencia y les da bienvenida a comentarios de su comunidad. EarthLab visualiza un futuro en el que las universidades desempeñen un papel fundamental en abordar los desafíos más complejos del clima, la equitatividad y la justicia a través de esfuerzos colaborativos con socios comunitarios.
Sobre EarthLab
EarthLab es un instituto basado en el Colegio del Medio Ambiente y la Universidad de Washington (UW) que se dedica a promover y tomar acción contra los cambios climáticos que está basado en lo que es equitativo y justo para todos. Nosotros empujamos límites para apoyar el desarrollo de investigaciones innovadoras, programas y eventos que conectan entre sectores, comunidades y concentraciones académicas para crear e iniciar a lo largo impacto positivo para las personas y el planeta.
¿Gusta más información? ¿Tiene una pregunta?
Por favor contacte a:
Allie Long
Líder de Comunicaciones
EarthLab, University of Washington
alongs@uw.edu
Announcing the Climate Justice Visual Arts Contest Winners
Today, EarthLab announced the winners of our inaugural UW Undergraduate Visual Arts Competition, celebrating unique artistic interpretations of environmental and climate justice. This contest encouraged University of Washington students across all campuses and disciplines to create art that reflects their perspectives on these critical issues. The competition aimed to elevate awareness of environmental justice, promote diverse student voices, and highlight the intersection of art, environment, and community.
Casey Olmstead’s “Social Ecosystems,” which won first place, illustrates the resilience and activism of marginalized communities against environmental degradation. Suler Lu’s “LIfE cycleS,” awarded second place, critiques the global waste trade’s impact on non-western countries. Lizzie Hackett’s third-place piece, “Cyclical,” emphasizes the consequences of human actions on the environment and other species. The winning artworks will be displayed at EarthLab offices and select events, with Olmstead’s piece featured in an upcoming data visualization project. This contest has not only showcased student talent but also underscored the powerful role of art in communicating environmental justice.
