Below are publications from the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI). They are tied to work across research, education, and engagement.
Despite the fact that environmental justice (EJ) issues have garnered recent attention in higher education and in popular media, few research studies examine how EJ education actually happens inside the classroom. This paper published in open access format in the Journal of Environmental Studies & Sciences (JESS) reviews four EJ scholar’s unique pedagogical practices. This review explores a continuum for community-engaged EJ instruction and presents interesting tools and tips for higher education environmental and sustainability courses or programs. More specifically, the discussion and findings examine the relationship between EJ, community engagement, and inclusive/anti-racist pedagogies, and explore why EJ teaching practices might better support students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Research has shown that climate and environmental justice (CEJ) course content is not sufficiently included in environmental and sustainability degree programs, and even less likely in STEM program contexts within higher education. This paper seeks to better understand how CEJ content is included within MIT’s STEM departments, and it provides analysis and recommendations regarding approaches for its expansion both in STEM areas and across disciplines. The Climate Justice Instructional Toolkit, a curricular development project that houses adaptable climate justice teaching modules and pedagogical recommendations, is explored as an initial expansion strategy. Download the white paper.