Posted: January 26, 2024
Interdisciplinary NRT
Graduate Training Opportunity:
Students earn a MS/MA or PhD in a SEED-EF-aligned degree program while participating in innovative SEED-EF graduate training
What is SEED-EF’s goal?
The transition to a low-carbon economy requires a new generation of leaders trained to decarbonize the energy sector and increase equitable access to it. SEED-EF wants to train these leaders so that they are able to advance decarbonization at the intersection of engineering, policy, economics, data science, and population health, with the ability to problem-solve and communicate with diverse stakeholders, communities, and government and nongovernmental (NGO) agencies. Developed by Arindam Banerjee (ME) and Shalinee Kishore (EE) and funded by the National Science Foundation's National Research Traineeship (NRT) Program, SEED-EF offers novel cross-cutting training to PhD and Masters students so that they can embrace multi-stakeholder perspectives and advance skills to plan, execute, and communicate interdisciplinary research on equitable decarbonization.
What does this program offer?
PhD: Dual mentorship (faculty and stakeholder partners). Courses in methodologies, energy research, policy, and stakeholder engagement for equitable energy decarbonization. Internships with industry, government, policy groups, or NGOs. Thematic and real-world connections with decarbonization research and practice. Support for publishing and conferences. Funding from the university and faculty.
MS/MA: Parallel tracks in Environmental Policy and Energy Engineering. Courses in environmental justice, policy design, environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects, health data, smart grids, and renewable energy. Both tracks explore stakeholder engagement, energy ethics and equity, and multimodal interdisciplinary research.
What are the Program highlights?
Interdisciplinary frameworks
Strong cohort with collaborative focus
Emphasis on stakeholder engagement and creating equitable energy solutions
Internships during Year 2 of graduate study
Meaningful applied research outcomes via active learning
Laptop for each student
Team mentor support, tailored to each student
Professional development opportunities and leadership seminars
Financial support through the first two years
Best practices for trainees in impact-driven research teams
What are the current research thrusts?
Solar warehouse roofs for energy sheds
Zero-emissions transit fleets
Energy-water microgrids for coastal islanded communities
Who is qualified?
U.S. citizens or permanent residents with an interest in pursuing their core degree while emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach focused on the energy sector, decarbonization, and policy.
Contact us
For more information, contact the program directors:
Valerie Holt (vah2@lehigh.edu)