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Strategic Priorities

Strategic Priorities

Strategic Priorities

In alignment with Graham’s vision, mission, and values, as well as U-M’s three-fold commitment to research, education, and service, our strategic priorities are to enhance collaborative research, develop sustainability leaders, and inform policy and practice. We pursue these priorities in collaboration with, and in support of, a broad range of university and external partners, and they serve as the institute’s levers for fostering a more sustainable future.

Collaborative Research

Enhancing Collaborative Research

We catalyze, bolster, and amplify wide-ranging research efforts that share a common commitment to partnering with communities and decision makers. By providing seed funding, facilitating connections, supporting stakeholder engagement, and creating translational science products, we help faculty increase the real-world impact of their research. See objectives in our strategic plan »

Learn how Graham supported the following projects and research efforts.

Hydraulic Fracturing in Michigan

Photo credit: Heather Rousseau, Circle of Blue
Hydraulic Fracturing in Michigan
About Graham's Support for:

Hydraulic Fracturing in Michigan

To understand what hydraulic fracturing options exist for Michigan decision-makers today and how to minimize any negative future impacts, U-M researchers undertook a comprehensive examination of hydraulic fracturing options in the State of Michigan and identified policy approaches for decision-makers to consider.

Using the IA process of facilitating a structured dialog among scientists and decision-makers, project teams established the guiding question: “What are the best environmental, economic, social, and technological approaches for managing hydraulic fracturing in the State of Michigan?” Based on this idea, researchers from diverse disciplines gathered and assessed information to help inform decision-makers.

The project was a partnership convened by Graham and included the U-M Energy Institute, the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, and the U-M Risk Science Center. Graham spearheaded the project, convening a multisector advisory group to scope the project, facilitating an interdisciplinary team of students and faculty, running extensive public engagement and peer review processes, and leading outreach and communications.

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Flaring & Fossil Fuels: Uncovering Emissions & Losses

Flaring & Fossil Fuels: Uncovering Emissions & Losses
About Graham's Support for:

Flaring & Fossil Fuels: Uncovering Emissions & Losses

The F3UEL (Flaring & Fossil Fuels: Uncovering Emissions & Losses) project aims to improve the understanding of emissions from natural gas flaring and offshore systems, characterizing how flares behave in the real world, identifying what portion of the offshore system is responsible for emissions, and determining how such systems can be monitored.

This work will provide updates to emissions estimates and explore new monitoring strategies for a large and neglected sector of the oil and gas industry of interest to scientists, policymakers, industry, and an engaged public invested in the impacts of our energy production supply chain.

Graham’s primary role in the project is designing and implementing the engagement strategy to optimize real-world impact. While many members of the multisector advisory board have existing relationships with the researchers, Graham handles the management of that group—from scheduling to meeting facilitation and record-keeping—allowing the researchers to participate fully as scientists. Graham also hosts a website for the project, provides translational science communications support, and coordinates with NGO partners like EDF.

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Detroit River Watershed Assessments

Top: Zach Haslick; Lower: Robert Lawton (left), Michigan Sea Grant (center and right)
Watershed Assessment of Detroit River Phosphorus Loads to Lake Erie
About Graham's Support for:

Watershed Assessment of Detroit River Phosphorus Loads to Lake Erie

In an effort to control the cyanobacteria blooms and dead zones that plague Lake Erie each summer, the United States and Canada in 2016 called for a 40% reduction in the amount of phosphorus entering the lake’s western and central basins, including the Detroit River’s contribution. Both countries then developed domestic action plans that outline strategies to meet the new Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement targets.

To support reaching these targets, a U-M Water Center-based program team characterized sources and evaluated management options for the St. Clair-Detroit River System watershed. This team, led by Water Center Director Jen Read, developed four models to simulate the dynamics of this complex, binational watershed that includes extensive urban and agricultural environments, as well as the large, shallow, productive Lake St. Clair, which receives and processes the loads upstream of the Detroit River.

A diverse project advisory group assembled by the Water Center provided feedback on the policy context, planned research approach, and resulting products. The work was funded by the Erb Family Foundation.

Learn more about this project»

See all projects in our project finder »

Engage with the Nation Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS)

The NERRS Science Collaborative, coordinated by the Water Center, funds user-driven, collaborative research and science transfer activities that address critical management needs identified by reserves.

Visit the website

Get Involved with the GLNF-CESU

Join the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (GLNF-CESU) Network, a consortium for informed resource stewardship.

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Engage with the Dow Fellows Program

Dow Sustainability Fellows make an impact through managing robust projects focusing on climate, circular economy, and other sustainability topics locally and globally. Graduate students work for one calendar year (January-December) in partnership with an organization and a UM advisor. Project summaries and reports provide insight into the recommendations, tools, analysis, and other work completed annually by interdisciplinary teams. 

Fellows Impact - Projects

Leadership Development

Developing Sustainability Leaders

We cultivate future sustainability leaders through individual and team-based experiential learning opportunities. Engaging all U-M units, our programs build leadership competencies, model inclusion, and foster interdisciplinary, collaborative, and just approaches. See objectives in our strategic plan »

Thumbnail: The Great Lakes Bay Sustainability Pledge

Photo credit: Srikanth Peetha | Unsplash
The Great Lakes Bay Sustainability Pledge
Dow Sustainability Fellows Program

Person installing caulk on a window frame

Improving Energy Efficiency in Residential Households in Traverse City
Catalyst Leadership Circle Fellowship

Living Wall. Photo by Daniel Funes Fuentes on Unsplash

Living Wall. Photo by Daniel Funes Fuentes on Unsplash
Retrofitting Ann Arbor: The Living Building Challenge
Dow Distinguished Awards

See all projects in our project finder »

Be Counted Among U-M’s Sustainability Experts

Join U-M's Sustainability Experts Database, maintained by Graham, to help make our collective sustainability expertise transparent and accessible. 

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Apply for an SES Grant

Social and Environmental Sustainability (SES) Grants provide up to $2,500 for projects that advance DEI&J-focused sustainability on campus. Applications accepted anytime!

Learn more and apply

Be a Dow Fellows Program Partner

If you have a project idea and are interested in working with a Dow Fellows team of graduate students please complete this brief interest form. Dow Fellows teams draw upon the expertise across campus, making this a unique interdisciplinary experience. A variety of disciplinary perspectives often results in more successful project outcomes.

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Policy and Practice

Informing Policy and Practice

We are committed to extending research and educational experiences beyond the academic environment and into the everyday world. Through our work, we facilitate opportunities for U-M sustainability scholars and change makers to inform policy and practice through collaborative, evidence-based approaches. See objectives in our strategic plan »

Master BESS Planning & Zoning

Get the essential guide to planning and zoning for battery energy storage systems in Michigan. Learn zoning options, sample language, and how to navigate new energy laws. Download Planning & Zoning for Battery Energy Storage Systems today!

Get the guide!

Explore Siting Policy Recommendations

Access a set of memos submitted by the Center for EmPowering Communities to the Michigan Public Service Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and more.

Read the memos

Learn About Michigan Public Act 233

Browse these resources to learn more about Michigan's new renewable energy siting law.

Browse resources