Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF on Wednesday announced plans to further collaborate on research projects related to water and sustainability.

The effort will include initial investment on collaborative projects focusing on water, and will expand to include a partnership on a visiting lecture series and sustainability research.

New themes for collaboration may be agreed on annually, according to an SU News release.

Both universities already support water-related research initiatives. The Education Model Program on Water-Energy Research, which launched in 2016 with a $3 million fund from the National Science Foundation, focuses on water and energy cycle research. SU’s graduate-level training initiative also offers mentoring, field experiences, science communication training and interdisciplinary coursework.

The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry is one of two lead institutions involved in a SUNY-wide water research initiative, according to the release. It also participates in a water research consortium of more than 130 universities and international organizations. In the last decade, a coalition of more than 25 faculty have secured NSF grants, introduced an annual graduate seminar in hydrology and biogeochemistry and developed an undergraduate minor.

As part of the new partnership, SU will also expand participation in the New York Great Lakes Consortium, a multi-institution collaboration administered at SUNY-ESF. Collaboration with the consortium will open up grant opportunities for SU faculty and provide funding support for student scholarship, according to the release.

Cathryn Newton, SU’s provost for faculty engagement and a special adviser to Chancellor Kent Syverud, has been working to identify areas of collaboration with SUNY-ESF that align with SU’s Academic Strategic Plan.

“The faculty, staff and students of Syracuse and ESF together form a rich brain trust that offers great potential for the future of each institution,” Newton said in a statement.

Newton, Syverud and SU Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly will appoint an advisory committee to propose themes for future collaboration between SU and SUNY-ESF. SUNY-ESF will form a similar committee.

The advisory groups are expected to be appointed by mid-February, according to the release.

Published on January 31, 2018 at 10:07 pm

Contact Jordan: jmulle01@syr.edu | @jordanmuller18