Advancing Interdisciplinary Research, Scholarship, and Creative Work
Anthropogenic change, through its profound effects on our world, is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time. The Environment & Sustainability initiative focuses on the impact of climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss on human and planetary health. We also address the disproportionately negative consequences that climate change has on disenfranchised communities. The principles of sustainability, climate adaptation, planetary boundaries, and environmental justice, and their integration into teaching and campus life, will be an essential part of our vision.
Building off of the 2023 WFU Strategic Framework, a new university-wide Environment & Sustainability initiative will leverage the university’s unique transdisciplinary expertise to create an ambitious vision for how this initiative will contribute to a sustainable future for our planet and for all of humanity by creating meaningful collaborations between scientists, scholars across all disciplines, and the communities whose lives may be influenced by their work.
The goal of the Strategic Framework Visioning process is to define that ambitious vision. Our plan will position WFU to be a globally recognized leader in understanding anthropogenic influences on our world and in developing innovative solutions to improve conservation, health, and sustainability.
Led by the Provost’s Office, this initiative will shape an ambitious vision for the future of this discipline at Wake Forest, ensuring that the University becomes a globally recognized leader in this field and defining the aspirational goals that will make a real, positive and sustainable difference for our students, faculty, and local and global communities for years to come. The process consists of three key phases described below.
Wake Forest’s Environment & Sustainability initiative aims to define an ambitious vision that leverages the University’s transdisciplinary strengths to address climate change, conservation, and sustainability challenges.
This visioning process seeks to define a bold and specific vision for Wake Forest’s role in environment and sustainability over the next 10-20 years, ultimately leading to a white paper that outlines short-term and long-term strategic goals and milestones and metrics for implementation, driving meaningful solutions that support both planetary and human well-being.
A leadership task force is developing a comprehensive framework to define Wake Forest’s aspirations and unique contributions to the field.
The task force has been working to:
- Assess Wake Forest’s current strengths in neuroscience research and its intersections with society.
- Identify opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across disciplines university-wide.
- Articulate the principles that could define a long-term vision that positions Wake Forest as a hub for pioneering work in neuroscience and society that improves lives.
The University community will have the opportunity to engage in discussions, dream about the future, and help define the strategic vision.
In the next phase, the University community will help us to define the vision. A facilitator-led session will provide an overview of the goals, followed by activities designed to encourage aspirational thinking. This session will help participants envision bold, cross-disciplinary opportunities to advance a shared university-wide initiative. Most importantly, participants will then provide ideas and input to a series of questions that will serve as the basis for Phase 3.
The task force will compile the information from phase 2 to draft a whitepaper articulating our vision, identifying broad areas of focus, setting short- and long-term goals (with milestones and assessment for accountability), and detailing a plan for pursuing funding, partnerships, and academic growth.
- Kim McAllister, Ph.D. (Vice Provost for Research, Scholarly Inquiry, and Creative Activity; Provost’s Office)
- David Callaway, M.D., M.P.A. (Senior Associate Dean of Planetary Health, School of Medicine)
- Dedee DeLongpre Johnston, MBA (Vice President for Sustainability; Chief Sustainability Officer)
- Stan Meiburg, Ph.D. (Executive Director, Sabin Center for Environment and Sustainability)
- Julie Runk, Ph.D. (Director, Environment & Sustainability Studies Program)
- Scott Schang, J.D. (Professor of Practice, Environmental Law)
- Miles Silman, Ph.D. (Professor of Conservation Biology; Founding Director, Sabin Center)
- Eric Stottelmeyer, Ph.D. (Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Programs)
- Corey Walker, Ph.D. (Dean, School of Divinity)
- Ashley Wilcox, MBA (Director of Sustainability Initiatives, Business School)
Get Involved
There are three ways to participate. Faculty and staff are especially encouraged to participate in an in-person event on Monday, March 24. The first hour will be a facilitated session, followed by drop-in opportunities. If you cannot attend the facilitated session, you are encouraged to drop in anytime in the available window to provide input on developing the vision.
📅 Community Feedback Session: March 24, 2025 1:00-4:00pm (**please try to join between 1:00-2:00pm for the facilitated session)
📍 Location: Benson 409
Office hours: If you are not available on Monday, March 24 and want to discuss any aspect of the process or provide input on the vision in person, please join Vice Provost Kim McAllister for office hours on Wednesday, March 26 and Friday, March 28 from 9:00-5:00pm. Please sign up by emailing Jen Haggas (haggasji@wfu.edu).
Virtual Feedback Option: We also encourage you to participate using our virtual feedback option. The link will be posted here on the evening of Monday, March 24. You will have the opportunity to answer questions, provide feedback, and share ideas.
Our aspirational vision will be stronger if everyone participates. Please come dream with us!