“My hope is that this workshop has served as a catalyst for research collaborations among Smeal faculty and also among colleges to advance our understanding of business issues in sustainability,” said workshop facilitator Gerry Susman, who directs the Smeal Sustainability Council.
The one-day workshop, held in the Business Building on Penn State’s University Park campus, consisted of two parts. In the morning, 10 short presentations from Smeal faculty and doctoral students featured current research projects. The afternoon included breakout discussion groups for faculty to make connections and explore further research ideas and collaborations.
In addition, Dean Charles Whiteman has committed to support sustainability-related research proposals, particularly those fostering cross-department or cross-college collaboration.
“We are dedicated to infusing our curriculum, our research and our business with a focus on sustainability,” said Whiteman, the John and Becky Surma Dean of Smeal. “I’m proud of the level of research we conduct here at Smeal, and I’m committed to supporting our developing expertise on the forefront of sustainability issues.”