JMU researchers are pursuing solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges.
Sustainability research recognition
James Madison University is recognized as a Top Performer in Research in the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index, a national report published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
JMU earned its Top Performer spot in recognition of conducting sustainability research and scholarship; encouraging student and faculty sustainability research; recognizing interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research in tenure and promotion; providing library support for sustainability research and learning; and supporting open access of published research. More than 300 JMU scholars, along with JMU Libraries, the Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World (ISNW), and the Division of Research, Economic Development and Innovation, contributed to this achievement.
Access the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index
Conducting sustainability research
Over 280 faculty members from diverse disciiplines at JMU are engaged in research that addresses complex and pressing global challenges. Since 2016, the ISNW has tracked the growing number of researchers for JMU's sustainability research inventory. An exhibit in King Hall features more than 120 faculty who conduct environment-specific research.
Sustainability Research Inventory
JMU's sustainability research inventory is intended to (1) recognize the instructional and A&P faculty who are conducting sustainability research at JMU and (2) connect stakeholders with a shared interest in sustainability. For the purpose of this inventory, sustainability research was defined following the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System's (v2.2, June 2019) definition: research and scholarship that explicitly addresses the concept of sustainability, furthers our understanding of the interdependence of ecological and social/economic systems, or has a primary and explicit focus on a major sustainability challenge.
The research inventory identified more than 289 JMU faculty members representing 93% of academic units who conducted sustainability research. The research inventory can be accessed through JMU's 2024 STARS report.
If you are a JMU instructional or A&P faculty member conducting sustainability-related research who is not listed in the working draft version of the 2024 table and should be considered for listing in the inventory, please email stewardship@jmu.edu.
Support for sustainability research
The ISNW provides funding toward faculty and students presenting work related to environmental stewardship at conferences. The application process is competitive.
Open access to research
JMU Scholarly Commons is an open repository service provided by JMU Libraries to showcase research and scholarship from the JMU community. It includes peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers and posters, theses and dissertations, Special Collections materials, and more.
JMU Libraries provide other support to researchers, including an open access fund for subsidies for APCs (article processing charges) for articles by JMU authors that have been accepted for publication in scholarly peer-reviewed open access (OA) journals; open access journal hosting; library materials, database subscriptions, and online research guides.
