Find a Research Question

The following topics have been identified in partnership with University operational departments and faculty from various academic departments to assist students in identifying potential JP, Senior Thesis and graduate research topics using the campus itself as a living laboratory for sustainability problem-solving.

Please search the questions below, or use the sorting options to narrow your search by action area or discipline. Contact Ijeoma Nwagwu for more information.

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  • Analyze microbes present in campus stormwater runoff and make recommendations about stormwater management practice that could improve runoff quality.

    Action Area:
    Stormwater Management, Healthy Habitats
    Discipline:
    Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Molecular Biology

  • Apply game theory to sustainability challenges.

    Action Area:
    GHG Emissions, Water Usage, Stormwater Management, Design & Develop, Healthy Habitats, Alternative Commuting, Purchasing & Waste
    Discipline:
    Computer Science, Psychology

  • Apply research methods examining molecular mechanisms of efficient photosynthesis to the Princeton Vertical Farming Project.

    Action Area:
    Healthy Habitats
    Discipline:
    Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Studies, Molecular Biology

  • Are bathroom hand dryers bad for human health? Corroborate or dispute past studies with ties to the paper industry that paper towels are more effective than hand dryers at reducing the spread of germs.

    Action Area:
    GHG Emissions, Purchasing & Waste
    Discipline:
    Chemistry, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Studies, Geosciences

  • Are behavioral nudges successful at reducing the use of single-use Keurig/K-cups?

    Action Area:
    Purchasing & Waste
    Discipline:
    Environmental Studies, Psychology

  • Are there connections between indoor room temperature and learning or productivity? Do these connections (or lack thereof) support financial justifications for reducing energy consumption?

    Action Area:
    GHG Emissions, Design & Develop
    Discipline:
    Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Studies, Psychology

  • As Princeton embarks on plans for a new art museum that will serve generations of Princeton students to come, which infrastructural and experiential features should it embody to connect visitors to the vision for sustainability on campus in 2046?

    Action Area:
    Design & Develop
    Discipline:
    Art & Archeology, Psychology

  • Assess concentrations of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere near Princeton and make predictions about impact on the local systems, e.g. prevalence of algal blooms.

    Action Area:
    GHG Emissions, Stormwater Management, Healthy Habitats
    Discipline:
    Astrophysical Sciences

  • Assess forested areas of campus for species diversity and make recommendations to the campus planning team about best practices for preserving ecological integrity as campus expands

    Action Area:
    Design & Develop, Healthy Habitats
    Discipline:
    Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Studies, Geosciences

  • Assess the effectiveness of the Revise Your Ride program at reducing single-occupancy-vehicle transportation to campus (vs. capturing existing activity of pedestrian and mass transit to campus), and recommend strategies for reducing single-occupancy vehicle transit among Princeton employees who have not joined Revise Your Ride.

    Action Area:
    Alternative Commuting
    Discipline:
    Environmental Studies, Psychology