The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) at UDC will showcase research dedicated to creating healthier, more resilient and more equitable communities as part of the university’s annual Research Week, March 31 to April 4. CAUSES Research Day on Tuesday, April 1, will include more than 20 student presentations exploring urban agriculture, climate resilience, nutritional genomics, environmental justice, sustainable architecture, food-system sustainability and more.
A Day of Insight and Innovation
In addition to student research, the day will feature a keynote seminar from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with UDC Professor of Urban Leadership & Entrepreneurship Sabine O’Hara presenting from her book Food Justice in American Cities: Stories of Health and Resilience, joined by Yale University Architecture Professor in Practice Jean Pierre Crousse and University of Nevada-Las Vegas Professor of Architecture and Urbanism Steffen Lehman.
Assistant Research Professor Amy Schweitzer is especially excited for this year’s presentations following UDC’s recent designation as a Carnegie Classified Research College and University.
“This recognition reflects the importance of CAUSES research, which is specifically designed not just to advance scientific understanding, but to create lasting solutions that directly improve people’s lives,” Schweitzer says. “Our students and faculty go beyond theory to deliver real, tangible results in communities.”
A Mission of Sustainable Solutions
“At CAUSES, our approach goes beyond traditional academics—the community is our classroom,” says Dean Dwane Jones. “As an urban land-grant institution, our teaching, research and outreach programs provide practical education that improves economic opportunities and quality of life right where people live and work. We are incredibly proud of our community-based approach, which not only serves District residents but also provides a model for relevant learning far beyond our region.”
In addition to its academic offerings, CAUSES is unique as the nation’s only exclusively urban land-grant college, offering the nation’s only doctoral-level program in urban leadership and entrepreneurship. CAUSES blends traditional degree programs with community outreach initiatives such as green infrastructure, urban gardening and other programs at the 143-acre Firebird Research Farm and three specialized land-grant centers dedicated to urban agriculture, resilience, nutrition and gerontology.
Jones emphasizes how Research Week exemplifies CAUSES’ core mission. “Research Week gives us the opportunity to highlight the impact of collaborative, community-driven research and how it directly contributes to building sustainable communities,” he says.