Conservation International and Arizona State University (ASU) are working together to protect and restore nature and train the next generation of conservation leaders.
Too often, there is no collaboration between researchers and practitioners — meaning valuable research doesn’t inform and impact real-world efforts. Together, Conservation International and ASU are working to change this, collaboratively researching critical environmental issues to drive progress on a global scale.
Partnering to drive new research
ASU and Conservation International began partnering in September 2016 with six ASU-Conservation International Professors of Practice to drive collaborative research and education on global conservation. The partnership has since evolved to align with the ASU Global Futures Laboratory. This renewed partnership focuses collaboration on five topics:
Negative emissions
Oceans
Indigenous knowledge
Decision making
Adaptation
The Waolani Global University Partnership, which includes Conservation International, Arizona State University and Nia Tero, is working to co-create a paradigm and methodological shift in conservation pedagogies. It combines multiple knowledge systems and sciences to encourage regenerative solutions that place planetary, ecological and human health at the forefront of all enterprises.
Educating future conservationists
ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.
A group of Conservation International research professors and fellows will bring their conservation expertise to ASU's world-class university system, providing a platform for collaborative research and exploration between the two institutions. These scientists will conduct research on how natural climate solutions, combined with engineering solutions, can mitigate carbon from the atmosphere to combat the climate crisis. The team will also explore new research and solutions for conserving marine resources on a global scale. As part of the partnership, each scientist will lecture at ASU throughout their tenure on critical conservation topics to train the next generation of conservation leaders.
A group of Conservation International research professors and fellows will bring their conservation expertise to ASU's world-class university system, providing a platform for collaborative research and exploration between the two institutions. These scientists will conduct research on how natural climate solutions, combined with engineering solutions, can mitigate carbon from the atmosphere to combat the climate crisis. The team will also explore new research and solutions for conserving marine resources on a global scale. As part of the partnership, each scientist will lecture at ASU throughout their tenure on critical conservation topics to train the next generation of conservation leaders.
Professors of practice
M. Sanjayan, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
M. Sanjayan is a conservation scientist and chief executive officer of Conservation International, an organization working primarily in the tropics to secure nature for humanity.
Dave Hole, Ph.D.
Vice President, Global Solutions, Moore Center for Science
Dr. Dave Hole’s research focuses on understanding the role that ecosystems — and the biodiversity that underpins them — play in supporting sustainable development.
John N. (“Jack”) Kittinger, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Center for Sustainable Lands and Waters
As senior vice president for Conservation International's Center for Sustainable Lands and Waters, Dr. Kittinger works to transform production to regenerative practices — developing new economic models for farming, fishing and fashion.
Starry D. Sprenkle-Hyppolite, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Restoration Science, Center for Natural Climate Solutions
Dr. Starry D. Sprenkle-Hyppolite is a restoration and landscape ecologist working to advance science and methods for scaling natural climate solutions for carbon dioxide removal including reforestation, assisted natural regeneration, and trees in agriculture.
Stories from our professors of practice
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© Reed Noss
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© Thomas Muller. Coffee berries
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© Robin Moore
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© Conservation International/photo by Ana Yi
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© Shawn Heinrichs