Professional Development Archives - Office of Sustainability

Professional Development SDG17 Sustainability in Action Uncategorized

Ben Raines “America’s Amazon” Tour of Upper Mobile-Tensaw River Delta

By Christopher Keirstead* In early November of 2025 I participated in a group tour of the Upper Mobile-Tensaw River Delta led by environmental journalist, photographer, and documentary filmmaker Ben Raines. Raines is also the author of two books that grow out of his deep knowledge of the history and ecology of the…

ContributorNovember 11, 2025

Professional Development SDG17 Sustainability in Action Uncategorized

Sustainability in Sports

By Micheal Freeman* On July 13th, 2025, I traveled (supported by the Auburn University Office of Sustainability) to Duke University to take part in the College Sports in Sustainability Conference. I presented on the need to properly manage vape pens collected on college campuses during athletic events. Micheal Freeman presenting…

ContributorNovember 11, 2025

Professional Development SDG17 SDG4 Sustainability in Action Updates

Learning and Growing at the National Sustainability Society Conference

On October 20-22, 2025, the staff of the Auburn University Office of Sustainability attended the second annual National Sustainability Society (NSS) Conference held at the University of Notre Dame. Our crew of intrepid travelers included Program Manager Amy Strickland, Outreach and Communications Manager Jen Morse, and their student intern team: Cole Bedics, Lilly…

ContributorOctober 29, 2025

Professional Development SDG11 SDG12 SDG9

Sustainability in Transportation: Insights from the 2025 Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board

By Dr. Huaguo Zhou Dr. Zhou at the TRB Annual Meeting. The Transportation Research Board (TRB) serves as a platform for addressing transportation challenges, bringing together experts, researchers, and policymakers to explore solutions in how people and goods move—whether by car, train, plane, or bicycle. This year, I had the…

ContributorMarch 20, 2025

Professional Development SDG12 SDG4

Navigating Toward Sustainability at the 2024 ITAA Annual Conference

By Dr. Amrut Sadachar Dr. Amrut Sadachar (left) and Dr. Srikant Manchiraju (right) presenting poster on linkages between morale identity, emotional intelligence, and unethical consumer behavior From November 20 to 23, 2024, I had the privilege of attending the International Textiles and Apparel Association (ITAA) Annual Conference in Long Beach,…

ContributorDecember 3, 2024

Professional Development SDG3 SDG4 Updates

A Week in the Woods: My Favorite Conference Table

By Keli Berkman* In March, I spent a week in the woods learning, growing, and eating a lot of peanut butter. I had the incredible opportunity to complete the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course offered by Landmark Learning in Cullowhee, NC, thanks to the Office of Sustainability’s Professional Development Sponsorship…

ContributorJune 24, 2024

Guest Posts Professional Development Sustainability in Action

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education 2023 Conference

By Jesse Teel* Jesse in Boston I attended The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) annual conference in Boston at the end of October. The timing was perfect for a visit to Boston, with many trees displaying vibrant autumn colors, a hint of winter in the…

ContributorJanuary 19, 2024

Professional Development SDG7 SDG9 Sustainability in Action

Sustainable, Functional Nanocomposites for Energy Applications

By Xinyu Zhang* Functional nanocomposites are composed with different combinations from a large selection of nanomaterials, such as nanocarbons, metal oxides/chalcogenides, carbides, phosphides, polymers, etc., which possess superior mechanical, thermal and electrical properties, leading to broad applications in smart structures, chemical sensors, energy storage and nano-electronic devices. However, the high…

ContributorJanuary 12, 2024

Guest Posts Professional Development SDG11 SDG12 Updates

Energy Efficiency is in the Air

By Betsy Farrell Garcia* Extending the applied research in housing access and affordability conducted by faculty and students at Auburn University Rural Studio, the faculty-led Front Porch Initiative works with not-for-profit builder partners across the southeast offering housing products and technical assistance to build houses to beyond-code standards. As of…

ContributorApril 28, 2023