From environmental education to equality and knowledge exchange, sustainability and sustainable development is becoming a major consideration for many top universities. Our sustainability rankings feature many institutions from all over the world who make this a priority. Canada’s University of Toronto ranks highest this year, followed by University of California Berkeley in the US and University of Manchester in the UK.
Students are more interested in sustainability principles than ever before and are eager to get involved in research. However, many have questions: what is the best way to find out what sustainability research is being conducted at their university and how can they get involved?
Ask your tutors and other members of faculty
One of the more obvious ways to find out about sustainability research and how you, as a student, can get involved is by simply asking members of faculty. Faculty members from a range of different subjects may be involved in sustainability research, either environmental or social sustainability, and may be looking for students to take part or to aid them in the process.
For social sustainability research, students might be able to help by becoming part of the focus group and answering questions about their experiences. Alternatively, they may be the ones conducting a survey designed by the primary researcher. They may be expected to go into a specific environment and conduct a field study. They may also be tasked with organising and processing data once the study has been completed so that the primary researcher can begin looking for trends and drawing conclusions.
For environmental sustainability research, students may be tasked with conducting surveys, collecting background research, organising data, aiding the primary researcher with admin or other tasks, as needed.
Even if your tutor is not involved in any research at this time, sustainability is becoming a subject of increasing interest for many universities around the world so they will likely be able to refer you to a colleague who may be interested in your help. Alternatively, by following the research output of your university, you will be able to identify the members of faculty who most often work in this area and ask them for guidance as to how you can get involved with future projects.
Check the university website
In some universities, aiding in student research is considered an employment role. All employment opportunities should be advertised on the university website.
These advertisements will usually outline the project, the level of qualification they are looking for and the responsibilities required. The requirements will vary depending on the role and responsibilities it includes. Some roles will specify that applicants will need to have completed their bachelor’s qualification and may only be open to other postgraduate researchers. Other roles will be open to undergraduate students.
If your university is not currently conducting any sustainability research, it may be a good idea to look at the websites of other universities. Student research assistants do not necessarily need to be a part of the university they are working for. All applications should be considered equally.
Get closer to your dream programme
Your consent preferences have been set.
Time to start exploring.
Your account has been removed.
You can still browse the site or sign up again once you have parental consent.
Get closer to your dream programme