Research

Our research: the four focus areas

Portland State's efforts in sustainability research are focused into four areas of enquiry:

  1. The integration of human societies and the natural environment. How do we as humans build societies that are integrated with the natural systems that support life? The answer to this question is increasingly critical as the world's population increases and urban centers expand. PSU research provides a roadmap for sustainable development that brings about the harmonious integration of human and natural systems.
  2. Creating sustainable urban communities. PSU is already known for its expertise and intellectual leadership in urban studies and urban planning. With our sustainability research, we are buildng on this strength through an interdisciplinary academic focus on the successful integration of the "triple bottom line" (economic, ecological and social needs) in urban centers. The City of Portland offers us the ideal research to study the changing ecological and socioeconomic conditions of a city already adopting many sustainable policies and principles.
  3. Implementing sustainability and mechanisms of change. How and why do people, organizations and societies adopt more sustainable policies and behavior? And what motivates change? PSU faculty and students are researching how and why sustainability is (or isn't) adopted.
  4. Measuring sustainability. Many people and organizations choose to adopt sustainable practices without knowing whether or not a particular practice actually works. We provide the measurement tools and data that will enable the most effective practices possible, thereby fostering increasing sustainable behavior.

Informing the sustainability investment plan

As part of Portland State's strategic planning activities, "sustainability" was selected as a programmatic focus for investment. In January 2008, the Office of Academic Affairs convened the ad hoc Sustainability Advisory Group to assess the University's existing strengths in sustainability and identify opportunities where additional faculty positions could have the greatest benefit. The areas of strength and the descriptions of those focal areas are identified in this document. To review the recommendations on new faculty positions, please read here.

Click here to read more about individual PSU research projects in sustainability.