UChicago's New Chicago Studies Scholarship

 

I'm writing to tell you about a new scholarship available to students accepted into UChicago's Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS): the Chicago Studies Scholarship. Applicants to MAPSS who plan to conduct scholarly research centered on the City of Chicago for their thesis or capstone project can be considered for the $30,000 Chicago Studies Scholarship. This research might include delving into the city and the surrounding areas or exploring one of Chicago’s many diverse communities. We are particularly interested in projects that are designed to draw upon the city’s rich resources, including projects requiring fieldwork in the city or the use of archives in Chicago or surrounding areas.  To be considered for the scholarship, interested applicants should respond "Yes" to the relevant question in the application and discuss their City of Chicago-centered research plans in their candidate statement. Please note that requesting consideration for scholarships does not have an impact upon consideration for admission. We're happy to answer any questions you may have about MAPSS, the Chicago Studies Scholarship, or anything else. You can reach us via email at ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu.  Sincerely,   Jon Rogowski Faculty Director, Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences Professor of Political Science Division of the Social Sciences The University of Chicago jrogowski@uchicago.edu

Seeking PhD applicants to study inclusion of nonmaterial values in policy

 

Dear all,

I am an interdisciplinary social scientist who studies how non-material values (e.g., spirituality, cultural heritage) can be incorporated into environmental policy (here<https://www.uvm.edu/uvmnews/news/expanding-value-nature> is a university news article that describes more about this work). I am seeking a PhD student to help me in this pursuit, in a project we will co-create. The basic gist of the work will be to explore how to take the burgeoning research on cultural ecosystem services, relational values, and related concepts (summarized, for example, in this recent paper<https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cobi.70065> of mine), and conduct research to include those values in decision-making in more thorough, rigorous, and common ways - e.g., through incorporation into the (controversial!) tool of cost-benefit analysis.

This is a bit of an odd request: I do not have full dedicated funding for a position, but would help an interested candidate apply for two funding opportunities at the University of Vermont: PhD fellowships with the Gund Institute for the Environment<https://www.uvm.edu/gund/gund-phd-research-fellowships> (where I am a Fellow) and PhD fellowships with the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources<https://uvmd10.drup2.uvm.edu/d10-files/documents/2025-11/Rubenstein_Doctoral_Assistantship_final-26.pdf>. I will supplement funding from those fellowships to bring them up to a full four- or five- year program.

If you are interested in pursuing a PhD and this topic (and setup of applying for these university fellowships) is of interest to you, please reach out to me, and we can discuss a potential application. Thank you so much!

Rachelle

Rachelle Gould | Associate Professor | Sustainability and Equity | Lab website<https://gouldgroup.weebly.com/>
Steven Rubenstein Professor for Environment and Natural Resources
Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources | Fellow, Gund Institute for the Environment
Lead Editor, People and Nature<https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/25758314>
Chapter Lead, Culture Chapter, United by Nature<https://weareunitedbynature.org/> (the new permutation of the US National Nature Assessment<https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/opinion/earth-day-nature-report-trump.html>)

Recruiting students for LAKES NSF REU @ UW-Stout

 

The LAKES REU is funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense ASSURE program and we are currently recruiting our 10th cohort. The program aims to better understand the root causes of water pollution and develop solutions to the problem, while providing students with interdisciplinary research experience led by mentors in biology, psychology, anthropology, political science, economics, and computer science. In addition to research, students will have the opportunity to work closely with our community and governmental partners, local citizens, and policy makers. Students will present their work at the end of the summer and will get to see their research directly impact the community around them.

This summer’s session will run from June 7th to August 8th, 2026, and we are recruiting 8 students from the fields listed above or closely related fields. Housing, stipends, and funds for food will be provided to accepted students. We also provide funding for students to present their research at a national conference in the year following their summer research. Students should be available for the entire duration of the summer program and should not be working or taking classes during that time.

More information about the program, past research, and the application process can be found on our website: www.uwstout.edu/lakes. A link to the application is posted there on the “how to apply” page.

Aquatic and Marine Research Opportunity

TLDR: Aquatic & Marine Research Opportunity
Interested in aquatic or marine systems and want hands-on research experience? Dr. Mike Henson’s Aquatic Microbiology Lab is seeking ENVS students for Spring and Summer positions. Projects focus on microbial responses to environmental change in systems like Florida Bay, the Caribbean, and the Mississippi River. Approximately 4 to 6 hours per week. Options for academic credit or paid work (depending on available funding). To learn more or express interest, email Dr. Henson with your year, availability, and a brief note about why you would like to join the lab.

 

Full message:

If you are interested in aquatic or marine environments and want hands-on research experience, there is a great opportunity to work with Dr. Mike Henson in his Aquatic Microbiology Lab. His work was recently featured in NIU Today for NSF-funded coral reef research, and he is currently welcoming ENVS students for Spring and Summer positions.

The Aquatic Microbiology Lab studies how microscopic organisms respond to environmental change in both freshwater and marine systems. Current projects include topics such as:

• How microbial communities in Florida Bay respond to heatwaves and implications for water quality and carbon cycling
• The pathogen driving sea urchin die-offs in the Caribbean and how the pathogen survives and spreads
• How microbial communities change along the Mississippi River from its headwaters to the Gulf and what that reveals about nutrient and carbon movement

Dr. Henson is most interested in students who:

• Are genuinely curious about aquatic or marine systems and environmental change
• Want to learn and build skills through regular, hands-on lab work
• May be ENVS majors or minors who are not pursuing a BIOS major but still want strong research experience

There are no strict course prerequisites. Having some lab experience and courses like BIOS 208+210, BIOS 209+211, or BIOS 313 is helpful, but motivated early-career students (first or second year) are also encouraged to reach out.

You will have the opportunity to learn:

• Core skills in environmental microbiology and microbial ecology
• Lab skills such as aseptic technique, microbial physiology, and molecular methods
• Use of instruments such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, and flow cytometry
• Data handling and basic analysis related to water quality and ecosystem health

Time and compensation

• Time commitment: approximately 4 to 6 hours per week, typically over 2 to 3 days
• Options for either academic credit or paid hourly work, depending on available funding

To be considered, email Dr. Henson (mhenson@niu.edu) with:

• A short introduction, including your year and major
• Your general availability for the upcoming semester or summer
• A brief statement on why you are interested in working in the Aquatic Microbiology Lab
• Email subject line “Interest in Aquatic Microbiology Lab Research”

If you have questions about how this experience could fit into your ENVS degree plan or potential credit options, feel free to reach out to Melissa at mburlingame@niu.edu. 

USVI_UVIcampusMarine —> View from the University of the Virgin Islands Marine Center (https://www.uvi.edu/research/center-for-marine-environmental-studies/index.html)

UVI_fieldteam —> The UVI field team (pictured Co-Pi Dr. Marilyn Brandt and Field Researcher Moriah Sevier) placing tags on coral in Brewers Bay (St. Thomas, USVI)

DiademaA_USVI —> photo of Diadema antillarum in Brewers Bay (St. Thomas, USVI)

CoelomicFluid_sampling2—> photo of me (Co-Pi Henson) sampling coelomic fluid from sea urchins

September_USVI_fieldteam —> photo of the collective field in during the September Field Campaign.

Georgetown’s EMAP M.S. opportunity with your graduating seniors

 

UEILC ListServ: JHU REU Program in Energy: Opportunity for your Undergraduates

 

HSCI 217 - Introduction to Health Careers; Hybrid Tues 11-12:15

 

REU At Smithsonian

 

Summer research position

Interested candidates should send a brief e-mail to Pete Guiden (pguiden@hamilton.edu)

VEG Meeting Announcement

 

Udall Scholarship

 The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship is a scholarship up to $7,000 awarded to up to 50 undergraduate sophomores and juniors pursuing careers related to the environment, Tribal Public Policy, or Native Health Care. Udall Scholars attend the Udall Scholar Orientation in August in Tucson, AZ to meet alumni and community leaders for exceptional networking opportunities and gain lifetime membership in a growing and active alumni network.

 

To be considered as an applicant from NIU, please apply here: https://niu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6zAjXxT05tVPars by 12/1/25.

 

Summer 2026 Internship Opportunities at Argonne National Laboratory

Quinn Matula here, from Argonne. I am excited to share that our Environment, Safety, and Health (ESH) Directorate is offering internship opportunities for Summer 2026. We are looking for applicants for the following groups: (see attached flyers)

 

• Deployed Safety Services
• Environmental Protection Program
• Industrial Hygiene
• Occupational Safety
• Radiological Protection Program (Health Physics and Radiochemistry)
• Safety Information Systems Training

 

Applications will open in the coming months. In the meantime, interested students may email their resume to: eshinternship@anl.gov. If you have any questions or would like any members of Argonne’s ESH directorate to speak to your students about these internship opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Campus sustainability is hiring 2 student interns for Spring 2026

 Campus Sustainability Atlas Zero Waste Student Internship

Employer: NIU Campus Sustainability

Location: Hybrid (remote work with occasional on-campus meetings)

Hours: 5-10 hours/week

Rate: $15/hour

Term: Spring 2026 semester (option to continue through Summer and Fall 2026)

About the Program:

Through a partnership with the Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN), NIU is participating in Atlas 

Stage 3: Action Planning—a program that helps campuses develop comprehensive Zero Waste 

Action Plans (ZWAPs). Interns employed by NIU Campus Sustainability will collaborate with 

PLAN staff to advance waste-reduction initiatives across campus. Learn more about the 

program at postlandfill.org/atlas-stage-3.

Position Overview:

As an Atlas Stage 3 Intern, you will work with NIU Campus Sustainability and PLAN staff to:

• Facilitate meetings with campus stakeholders (e.g. facilities, dining, student 

organizations) to identify and advance zero-waste opportunities.

• Conduct research on waste-reduction best practices and benchmark NIU’s progress 

against peer institutions.

• Help develop project proposals and ROI analyses for infrastructure, operations, and 

engagement initiatives.

• Contribute to drafting NIU’s Zero Waste Action Plan and preparing presentations for 

campus leadership.

Qualifications:

• Current NIU undergraduate or graduate student (Spring 2026).

• Strong research, writing, and organizational skills.

• Interest in sustainability, waste management, or campus operations.

• Ability to work independently and manage a flexible 5–10 hours/week schedule.

• Experience with data analysis, campus projects, or student leadership preferred.

How to Apply:

Submit a resume and brief cover letter to Dr. Courtney Gallaher at cgallaher@niu.edu by

12/1/25.

Open to all majors: SEAS 225 - Crossroads of Southeast Asia

 

Free Online Sustainability Conference

 CUSPERS (Community of University Students for Policy advocacy, Education and Research on Sustainability), known as cuspers.org, is an organization that helps post-secondary student leaders launch sustainability campaigns, connect with others across schools, and build networks. 

On Saturday, Nov 29, cuspers.org is holding the Cuspers Conference: a free online student-focused sustainability conference to connect like-minded students and spread sustainable practices. Our goal is to facilitate networking – bringing together students involved in similar projects and fostering cross-school collaborations. There will be presentations by current and former students involved in sustainability campaigns, and many opportunities for discussion. 

You don’t need to have worked on a project to attend! Registration is open to all students with a passion for sustainability. You can register for the conference here: https://form.typeform.com/to/ccoPTf7L.

If you're unable to attend but would like to learn more about cuspers.org and how you can get involved, we invite you to become a member by filling out this short survey: https://form.typeform.com/to/K3CfMQBL. You can also follow us on Instagram @cuspers_ for more updates! 

Feel free to contact Alexandra at alexandra@cuspers.org for more information. We hope to see you there!

Earth Fest discussion with DeCarbon DeKalb

 Tuesday, Nov 11 @ 6:30 PM; DeKalb Public Library, Yusunas Room

Free snacks + free admission

Climate Hope: Power of Local Communities brings together members of the Earth Fest Executive Planning Team (a.k.a. your neighbors working in sustainability every day) for a hopeful, practical conversation about what we can actually do here in Northern Illinois.

We’ll talk about:
- The mental health benefits of taking climate action
- Why local communities can move faster than national politics
- How to weed through the noise and find what’s next

Because even when climate policy wobbles, our communities can still build a hopeful future — together.

RSVP here!

— The DeCarbon DeKalb Team
Real Talk. Real Neighbors. Real Change.