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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.

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.

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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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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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See all projects in our project finder »

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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Join Water@Michigan

Water@Michigan is a gathering table for U-M researchers and communities that have been disproportionately affected by historic inequities to develop just, equitable, and sustainable approaches that address community water priorities.

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Join a Clean Energy Conversation

The Clean Energy Conversation series is designed to catalyze collaborations by identifying areas ripe for proposals and applied research.

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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 »

Photo by Edward Howell on Unsplash

Photo by Edward Howell on Unsplash
Assessing Mechanisms to Expand Composting in Ann Arbor
Dow Sustainability Fellows Program

A model of a development located next to agricultural fields. The development includes a bike lane and plaza space with people walking around.

Cleared for Development?
Dow Sustainability Fellows Program

Project Photo

Local Food Hub Feasibility Study
Dow Sustainability Fellows Program

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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Get Involved in Campus Sustainability

Complete the Planet Blue Ambassador online training to learn about sustainability efforts at U-M and how you can contribute.

Become an Ambassador

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 »

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

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!