Jaqueline Nichi at Rutgers Summer School on Sustainability and Governance in the Anthropocene
In August 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Rutgers Summer School for Environmental Governance—an immersive experience that left an indelible mark on my career and perspective on sustainability. It was a privilege to join 30 brilliant environmental minds from around the globe to dive deep into key concepts of environmental governance, with a particular emphasis on intersectionality and its vital role in addressing complex environmental challenges.
The program offered not only rich academic content but also transformative discussions led by inspiring speakers. The focus on collaborative approaches and actionable insights made the experience truly invaluable. I am deeply grateful to Pamela McElwee and Rachael Shwom for curating such an engaging and impactful learning environment. Their passion and commitment to fostering meaningful connections and knowledge-sharing were pivotal in making the program a success.
The friendships and professional relationships I built during these days are just as important as the academic growth. Sharing ideas, challenges, and solutions with like-minded peers has expanded my horizons and created lasting bonds with an incredible group of people who are equally committed to driving positive change.
Since the program, back in Brazil, I’ve seen significant progress in my career trajectory. I was accepted as a fellow in the Earth System Governance network at Utrecht University, The Netherlands, which provides a collaborative platform to advance research and action on sustainability governance. Additionally, I am now serving as a reviewer for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) Report, contributing to shaping global environmental policies—a role that reflects the depth of understanding and confidence I gained during the summer school.
The Rutgers Summer School was more than just an academic milestone; it was a reminder of the power of collective action and shared global knowledge. I’m thrilled to continue building on what I’ve learned and to remain connected with the incredible community of environmental changemakers I had the privilege to meet thanks to Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute that made this transformative journey possible.
Ha Vien at Rutgers Summer School on Sustainability and Governance in the Anthropocene
My name is Ha B. Vien, a third-year Ph.D. student in Public Administration focusing on environment and energy policy from North Carolina State University!
From August 20-23, 2024, I had the opportunity to attend the Rutgers Summer School on Sustainability and Governance in the Anthropocene at Rutgers University - New Brunswick in New Brunswick, New Jersey. This program, supported by Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute (RCEI) and other sponsors, brought together 29 participants from universities across the globe, including the US, Canada, Sweden, and the UK. Attendees, ranging from doctoral to postdoctoral researchers, represented diverse fields such as food systems, sustainable finance, anthropology, human ecology, geography, sociology, renewable energy, health sciences, biology, public policy, and political science.
The summer school provided an invaluable platform for exchanging knowledge on sustainability and governance in the Anthropocene. With our diverse academic backgrounds, we explored the different dimensions of social sciences through the lens of sustainability. We examined how environmental policy evolves into environmental governance and how governance for sustainability can address the complex, interconnected, and non-linear socio-environmental challenges that threaten both our societies and ecosystems.
The program also offered the opportunity to engage with leading experts in the field. I heard from Dr. Tom Rudel on community collaboration at both global and local levels, Dr. Rachael Shwom on the importance of interdisciplinarity in governance research, Dr. Pam McElwee on working with science-policy institutions, and Prof. Cymie Payne on the implications of the Supreme Court's Chevron decision for governance, among others. In addition to these lectures, I had a chance to share my own research and future career plans through speed talks with my peers, which helped us connect with one another and foster a collaborative learning environment.
Beyond the formal sessions, the program allowed us to form a network with peers and experts, exchanging ideas and supporting each other’s current and future endeavors. This experience has expanded my professional network and enriched my research, helping me build relationships that will benefit my academic and career trajectory. I am deeply grateful to the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute (RCEI) for making this enriching experience possible and for supporting my journey as I prepare for a future as an assistant professor. Thank you!
In August, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Summer School in Sustainability and Governance at Rutgers University, a multi-day workshop that brought together scholars, practitioners, and graduate students to explore the challenges of governance in sustainability and climate research. This program delved into complex questions of knowledge production, decision-making under uncertainty, and the shifting modes of governance in advancing effective sustainability policies. Through a mix of participant speed talks, interdisciplinary panels, and skills-based workshops, the summer school provided a dynamic platform for collaboration and learning.
Benjamin Weinger co-presenting the Climate Working Group’s findings on August 22, 2024 at Rutgers University.
A key highlight of the workshop was my participation in the Climate Working Group, led by Dr. Daniella Falzon, where we engaged in generative discussions about the challenges of conducting climate governance research. We explored the tension between urgency and justice in climate governance, the complexities of multi-scalar accountability, and the emotional dimensions of governing climate crises, such as grief and hope. These conversations brought together diverse perspectives on the interconnectedness of social, political, and ecological systems and underscored the need for innovative, equitable approaches to governance that address systemic drivers of environmental harm.
Throughout the workshop, several sessions enriched my understanding of interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement. One session on strategies for engaging government stakeholders, presented by Dr. Erin Friedman, provided actionable tools for bridging the gap between research and practice. Insights from scholar-practitioners Dr. Yukyan Lam and Dr. Pam McElwee further illustrated the importance of integrating diverse methodologies and stakeholder voices into governance frameworks. These discussions highlighted the importance of trust, collaborative processes, and equitable solutions in addressing sustainability challenges across political and institutional contexts.
Augmenting our discussions was a captivating session with artist Prof. Atif Akin on the intersections of art, science, and politics, where he showcased works like Evacuate Istanbul, a poignant exploration of environmental precarity, and his long-term projects on nuclear afterlives, which critically examine the legacies of radiation and mobility. Akin revealed the power of art to navigate complex technoscientific and political narratives, encouraging the workshop to expand our means of communication.
Artist Prof. Atif Akin presenting on his arts and humanities work at the Summer School in Sustainability and Governance on August 22, 2024 at Rutgers University.
The Summer School was a special experience not only in advancing my research on climate governance but also in connecting me with a vibrant network of peers and mentors who are at the forefront of sustainability scholarship. I extend my deep gratitude to the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute for making my participation possible and for fostering an intellectually enriching environment that will continue to inform my work. The insights gained from this workshop will undoubtedly shape my future contributions to the field of climate governance.
