Welcome to Sustainability@UC, a semesterly newsletter organized by the UC Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS)! Stay up to date on upcoming events, news, and ways to get involved in sustainability at the University of Cincinnati.
EVENTS
Sustainability at UC: Campus Opportunities Fair
Tuesday, September 24th
5:00-6:00pm
Kautz Attic (Carl H. Lindner College of Business; 4th floor)
This fair will unite faculty offering sustainability courses, researchers working at the intersection of sustainability, UC entities dedicated to sustainability efforts, and student organizations with a sustainability focus. This event, organized by UC Sustainability, Net Impact, and the UC School of Environment and Sustainability, provides a unique platform for networking, collaboration, and exposure to the vibrant UC sustainability ecosystem. Swing by to:
- Learn more about the different opportunities around sustainability on campus.
- Connect with students, faculty, and representatives from various UC entities.
- Answer your questions with exhibitors that are tabling.
- Find more about clubs to be part of, research opportunities, study abroad programs, and classes that will be offered.
- Enjoy some Pizza!
Reporting on Science in an Era of Misinformation
Thursday, September 26th
6:00 pm – Reception
6:30 – 8:00pm – Panel Discussion
Probasco Auditorium, 2839 Clifton Ave.
Register here!
This timely and important free event for the public features a panel of scientists and journalists who will discuss how news media cover scientific topics in this era plagued with misinformation and disinformation. The panelists will discuss:
- how journalists cover scientific topics, including the process of selecting what science stories are covered in news outlets and how they’re reported
- what challenges are involved in accurately interpreting and communicating scientific/health/environmental topics to the public (from the viewpoints of scientists and journalists), and
- how scientists and journalists can best work together to effectively and accurately communicate scientific topics to the public.
Panelists will include local scientists and health/science journalists, as well as a national representative from SciLine (a free and editorially independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit organization that connects journalists with scientists). The event is sponsored by the UC Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS) and the Greater Cincinnati Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).
Changing How People Think and Act on Climate Change
Friday, October 25th
5:00pm- Reception
5:30-6:30pm – Presentation and Discussion
Probasco Auditorium, 2839 Clifton Ave.
Register here!
Climate change is an urgent threat to the people and places we love. Solutions to climate change exist, but we are held back by the lack of public and political will to successfully address the issue. Put simply, the primary barriers are social and psychological in nature. In this presentation, Dr. Matthew Goldberg discusses promising climate change communication opportunities, success stories, and tools for thinking about how we generate the understanding and motivation that is needed to address climate change.
Dr. Matthew Goldberg is a Research Scientist and the Director of Experimental Research at the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication at Yale University. His research focuses on persuasion, social influence, and strategic communication about climate change, renewable energy, and other urgent environmental, social, and political issues. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and scientific reports, and his research is regularly cited in prominent news outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post. In 2022, he was named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science, and last year he received the Early Career Achievement Award from division 34 of the American Psychological Association for exceptional research contributions. Five years ago, he co-founded XandY—an independent research and strategy firm that helps the world’s most important ideas and innovations build momentum in society.
Public Lecture by Landscape Architect Niall Kirkwood
Thursday, January 30th
6:00 p.m. – Reception
6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Presentation
Probasco Auditorium, 2839 Clifton Ave.
Save the date for a public lecture by Niall Kirkwood, Professor of Landscape Architecture at Harvard University and expert in technology in landscape and its relationship to design. This event is organized by Dr. Sangyong Cho, PEWS Affiliate and Assistant Professor of the Landscape Architecture Program at the School of Planning. The lecture will be featured as part of PEWS’ second annual Sustainability@UC week, a week full of sustainability-related events and activities for students, researchers, educators, and the public. Stay tuned for more information about registering for the public lecture and other ways to participate in Sustainability@UC week 2025!
NEWS
New Provost Fellow for Sustainability: Amy Townsend-Small
Professor in The School for Environment and Sustainability and PEWS Faculty Affiliate Amy Townsend-Small has been selected as the Provost Fellow for Sustainability. These fellowship positions “offer a more intense and focused opportunity to develop university-level leadership experience” in which “selected fellows will support, lead, and engage in provostal initiatives that are aligned with their long-range career goals, while gaining direct knowledge in the administrative organization and leadership of the university’s academic affairs.”
Read more about the announcement here!
UC Student Organization Receives Climate Action Grant
UC Students for Burnet Woods (UC4BW) has been awarded a $4,740 grant from the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability through the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund. The grant will support UC4BW’s mission to increase accessible and diverse environmental education about Burnet Woods’ culture, ecosystem, and features.
By utilizing a variety of media strategies that incorporate expert spotlights, science tutorials, and tours and features of the park, educational content will be created from September through November. The project will culminate in a celebration at Trailside Nature Center in Burnet Woods, and feature the release of the educational content to stakeholders and partners. The educational content will be primarily
aimed toward youth ages 15-24 in the Avondale, Clifton, Corryville, CUF, and Mt. Auburn neighborhoods, as well as useful to educators of students of any age.
Read the full press release here.
STUDENTS: GET INVOLVED!
Environmental Literacy Certificate of Achievement
The Environmental Literacy Certificate is a great way to get involved and learn about sustainability on campus. It is a free certificate for any UC student! Joining the Environmental Literacy Certificate is also an awesome way to meet other students that are interested in climate change and sustainability. Once the certificate is completed, students can add the Environmental Literacy Certificate to their resume to show employers they are educated on climate change.
If you are interested in joining please reach out to green@uc.edu or enroll here.
Sign-up to receive the Office of Sustainability newsletter
Join the Green Listserv for general environmental and sustainability news and events in the University of Cincinnati community!
Clean Up Cincy Camp Washington Cleanup
Thursday, September 26th
9:00am-12:00pm
Valley Park (3250 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45225)
Camp Washington Urban Revitalization Corporation is partnering with the Camp Washington Business Association and Keep Cincinnati Beautiful to clean up the Camp Washington neighborhood. Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and free lunch from Camp Washington Chili! Transportation is not provided by Clean Up Cincy.
Register here!
LEAP Volunteer: Imago’s Music in the Woods
Saturday, September 28th
3:00-9:00pm
Imago (700 Enright Avenue, Cincinnati)
Need service hours? Want to get involved with local environmental community? This opportunity is for you!
PLEASE join LEAP as a member before RSVPing or signing up!
On Saturday September 28th, LEAP will be volunteering at Imago’s Music In The Woods! Volunteers will work as group to be “Zero-Waste Champions”, advising attendees how to properly dispose of different items to help this event be as sustainable as possible. LEAP has been involved with this event for several years and it’s a really great time, plus you get to attend the event (for FREE) after your shift is over! If you would like to volunteer, please enter your name, email, and shift availability at this link.
Clean Up Cincy Clifton Cleanup
Saturday, October 5th
9:00-9:30am – Check-in
10:00am-1:00pm – Cleanup
Clean Up Cincy’s Clifton walking events engage students with our CUF community: UC’s home. Student volunteers meet at Bearcats Commons (in front of Arts and Sciences Hall) between 9-9:30 AM and are provided supplies (gloves, trash bags, etc.) to pick up litter in streets surrounding campus. Crews walk through our community to clean up trash while exec members pick up filled bags to be disposed of in dedicated dumpsters.
Join Clean Up Cincy this Fall to help make a difference in the community and keep the streets many of us live in beautiful and clean!
Volunteers are certified for 3 off-campus service hours, which count towards UC scholarship requirements.
Learn more and register here!
Volunteer with Bearcat Recycling
Opportunities throughout the year
Upcoming dates: October 18th, November 9th, and November 30th
Volunteer with Bearcat Recycling at every UC Football home game to help pick up all the recyclable material generated by fans! Watch the game for FREE while helping the earth!
Meet at the UC Bike Kitchen.
Campus Garden Volunteering
Do you enjoy gardening or want to learn more about it? Help the Office of Sustainability at the Campus Garden! They will be weeding, watering, and picking produce to take to the Bearcat Pantry. Anyone is welcome to help garden! There is no experience needed. All materials will be provided for you like gardening gloves and shovels.
Please bring a water bottle and close-toed shoes. The Garden is located behind the DAAP Annex. Email green@uc.edu for more information!
Join a student organization
UC students are working towards a variety of sustainability goals! Get involved to make a difference. Click on the links to learn more!
Clean UP Cincy
Leaders for Environmental Awareness and Protection
Net Impact UC
Society of Environmental Engineers
UC Horticulture Club
UC Students for Burnet Woods
UC Thrift