Research, Scholarly & Creative Activity

Sustainability, climate, and environmental justice-related research, scholarly and creative activity conducted by faculty and students are vital because it contributes to new ways of thinking about the challenges we face and help uncover new solutions to those challenges.

The initiatives described below aim to support, elevate, and highlight this important work. 

The Beach Environmental Action for Climate, Our Neighbors, & Sustainability (BEACONS) is a collaboration between the President’s Commission on Sustainability (PCS) and Leadership Fellows to support faculty by providing mini-grants for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (RSCA) focused on Climate Adaptation, Sustainability, and/or Environmental Justice. The initiative seeks to elevate justice-centered sustainability research at ºÚÁÏÍø while strengthening opportunities for student engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Application Process 

(see sidebar for current deadlines, key dates, and application link)

  • Applications for the BEACONS Faculty Mini-Grants open in spring and applicants will be notified before the end of the spring semester if they are selected.
  • Applications will be reviewed by the PCS BEACONS ad hoc committee.
  • Applicants are required to attend the BEACONS Faculty–Student Mixer in April as a condition of eligibility.
  • Awardees must present their work at the BEACONS Roundtable Showcase during Sustainability Month in October and submit a brief research impact statement by the following spring semester summarizing outcomes, student engagement, and future directions.
  • Applications must be submitted using this Qualtrics form (linked in sidebar). Application form requirements:
    • Project description (300 word max)
    • Narrative description project's alignment with BEACONS focus areas; contribution to your field/university/broader community; and potential for meaningful student engagement (500 word max)
    • Itemized budget spreadsheet outlining how BEACONS funds will be used, including any addition funding sources
    • Amount requested
  • Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Full-time and part-time ºÚÁÏÍø faculty are eligible to apply.
  • Proposed RSCA must align with one or more of the following focus areas:
    • Environmental justice and/or climate equity at the local or global level
    • Sustainability practices, education, and/or design solutions
    • Climate and environmental science, mitigation, adaptation, resilience, policy, economics, psychology, ethics, and related fields
    • Artistic and/or creative activities that engage sustainability, environmental justice, or climate themes
  • Projects that involve or are designed to engage students through mentorship, research collaboration, dissemination, or other meaningful participation will receive special consideration.
  • Faculty must attend the BEACONS Mixer event to be eligible for funding.

Funding Details

  • Each BEACONS Faculty Mini-Grant provides $500 to support faculty-led RSCA.
  • Up to five projects will be funded (contingent on funding availability).
  • Allowable expenses include:
    • Research supplies and materials
    • Printing, outreach, or data collection costs
    • Non-monetary participant incentives
    • Non-capital equipment
    • Travel or conference registration related to the proposed project
  • Funds may not be used for hospitality, honoraria, stipends, or furniture
  • Funds will be distributed to recipients’ home departments and may be subject to applicable college or departmental spending guidelines and timelines

According to the last inventory conducted in 2024, faculty across six colleges and thirty-six departments and programs are engaged in sustainability, climate, and environmental justice-related research, scholarly and creative activities. These include:

College of the Arts

  • Cinematic Arts
  • Design

College of Business

  • Business Law
  • Finance
  • Management & Human Resources Management
  • Marketing

College of Education

  • Advanced Studies in Education & Counseling

College of Engineering

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering & Construction Engineering Management
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

College of Health & Human Services

  • Family & Consumer Sciences
  • Public Policy & Administration
  • Health Science
  • Hospitality Management
  • Social Work

College of Liberal Arts

  • American Indian Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Asian & Asian American Studies
  • Communication Studies
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Journalism
  • Psychology
  • Political Science
  • Romance, German, Russian Languages & Literature
  • Sociology
  • Women & Gender & Sexuality Studies

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemistry/Biochemistry
  • Earth Science
  • Geological Science
  • Physics & Astronomy

If you are a faculty member who is engaged in sustainability, climate, and/or environmental justice-related RSCA and your department is not represented, please contact sustainability@csulb.edu. 

Each year, sustainability-related research and creative projects completed by our students are featured at ºÚÁÏÍø’s annual Green Generation Showcase, which is held in coordination with ºÚÁÏÍø’s Earth Month events in April. 

If you are interested in participating in the Green Generation Showcase, contact sustainability@csulb.edu to learn more.

Already engaged in sustainability-related research, scholarly, or creative activity at ºÚÁÏÍø? Email us at sustainability@csulb.edu and know about your work!