Lehigh Supports NSF NRT Graduate Program to Enhance Equitable Energy Decarbonization

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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)