Mission-oriented research combines a wide array of natural and social science disciplines to offer solutions for complex and multi-dimensional challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and scarcity of natural resources. The utilization of the outputs of mission-oriented research aims for changes in behavior, policy and practice…

Interdisciplinarity is often framed as crucial for addressing the complex problems of contemporary society and for achieving new levels of innovation. But while science policy and institutions have provided a variety of incentives for stimulating interdisciplinary work throughout Europe, there is also growing evidence that some aspects of the…

Conceptual models are useful for facing the challenges of environmental sciences curriculum and course developers and students. These challenges are inherent to the interdisciplinary and problem-oriented character of environmental sciences curricula. In this article, we review the merits of conceptual models in facing these challenges. These…

An environmental research project was carried out by a consortium established among scientists and university lecturers in collaboration with two high schools. High school students participated in a long-term study of the local temporal profiles of tropospheric ozone and the relationship to pollution and meteorological parameters. Low-cost…

Systemic understanding of potential research activities and available technology seeds at university level is an essential condition to promote interdisciplinary and vision-driven collaboration in an attempt to cope with complex sustainability and environmental problems. Nonetheless, any such practices have been hardly conducted at universities…

This report is an attempt to identify and answer some of the major questions about the role of environmental studies in higher education, and to some extent the role of higher education in environmental studies. To this end, questionnaires were sent to 20 higher eudcation institutions that offered environmental studies programs. Fifteen of the…

This survey presents the highlights (not an inventory) of the environmental studies, capabilities, and instrumentalities on the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) campuses. The CIC institutions include the University of Illinois, Indiana University, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of…

Describes results of efforts to seek effective ways of combining the knowledge and skill of different professions in alleviating environmental problems. An inter-society liaison committee on the environment was formed to implement the general philosophical goals of the conference. (EB)

Environmental problems are complex and attempts to solve these require expertise from many areas. Authors describe strategies evolved to solicit cooperation from fifteen departments in a university, city government, and a regional planning agency for solving environmental problems. (PS)

The National Society of Interior Designers Interiors Environment Research Council feels that a wide range of research findings in the environmental sciences has great interest and value for the professional interior designer. One hundred and sixty-nine listings represent a broad range of topics relating to the design professions--economics,…

This report presents methodologies for measuring the anticipated environmental impact of proposed highways at the conceptual, location, and design planning stages. An interdisciplinary team approach is recommended. The research emphasizes the systematic collection and evaluation of data on various types of impacts, including those related to…

Presented are perspectives on the emergence of environmental problems. Six major trends in scientific thinking are identified including: holistic approaches to examining environments, life support systems, resource management, risk assessment, streamlined methods for monitoring environmental change, and emphasis on the global framework. (Author/SA)

Research which can form new bases for interior design is being greatly accelerated. Investigations in psychology, anthropology, psychiatry, and biology, as well as interdisciplinary projects, turn up literally hundreds of studies, the results of which will vitally affect interior design. This body of research falls into two parts--(1) human…