Grant Supports Research, Teaching Environmental Stewardship

A Lilly Fellows Program grant focusing on faculty scholarship and the mission-based teaching of environmental stewardship has been awarded to two faculty members.

Dr. Darlene Fozard Weaver, director of the Center for the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, and Dr. Maureen R. O’Brien, chair and associate professor of theology, recently were selected for a Lilly Fellows Program grant to gather a group of six faculty members in 2014-2015 to engage in interdisciplinary conversation about Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability: Explorations at a Spiritan Catholic University.

A small group of faculty already involved in University initiatives concerning mission or environmental issues—theology, chemistry, psychology, and natural and environmental sciences—will develop targeted areas of their own scholarship and teaching around the Spiritan mission of justice, peace and the integrity of creation.

While a number of disciplines at Duquesne engage environmental and sustainability issues, this new initiative will allow faculty members to meet throughout the academic year to discuss the meaning of the Spiritan mission and how this mission engages other religious and secular beliefs that value care for the environment.

Because environmental concerns are part of the University’s strategic plan, the grant illustrates the way Duquesne’s academic mission and Spiritan Catholic identity intersect. The grant also offers the opportunity to examine theological perspectives on topics including contemporary challenges such as Marcellus Shale gas and to develop thinking both in terms of individuals and communities, said O’Brien.

“The dialogue among theology, science, social science and other fields is alive and well at Duquesne,” O’Brien said. “The grant gives us new opportunities to develop that dialogue through concerted interdisciplinary efforts.”

The program itself intends to foster sustainable interdisciplinary outcomes by:

• Establishing possible areas for student and community engagement with the Office of Service Learning
• Encouraging application for faculty research grants and mission-related research
• Developing team-taught classes.

“Sustainability and environmental issues are already pursued in thoughtful and innovative ways across campus, in our operations and in our classrooms,” Weaver said. “We’re pleased that this Lilly Fellows grant allows us to build upon these efforts in new ways.”

The $3,000 grant will provide stipends to faculty members and cover the costs of readings and meeting sessions.