Sustainability in Teaching and Research (STAR) Symposium

STAR Symposium. Sustainability in Teaching and Research. June 2-3, 2023. Included in this banner are the following goals: 1. No Poverty. 2. Zero Hunger. 3. Good health and well-being. 4. Quality Education. 5. Gender Equality. 6. Clean Water and Sanitation. 7. Affordable and Clean Energy. 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth. 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. 10. Reduced Inequalities. 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities. 12. Responsible Consumption and Production. 13. Climate Action. 14. Life Below Water. 15. Life on Land. 16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. 17. Partnerships for the Goals.

A Symposium on Curricular and Scholarly Innovations based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Exploring National and International Efforts Toward Equity, Coastal and Climate Futures, Sustainability and Social Justice, and Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

June 2-3, 2023 | Monmouth University

Registration is Open

Registration is free but required for attendance and participation.

Directions & Lodging

Monmouth University is located at 400 Cedar Avenue in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The event will be held at Pozycki Hall, located with convenient access from the main commuter parking lot (lots 13, 14 and 18). Click here for directions and a campus map illustrating the location of the event venue.

A block of rooms for this conference has been reserved at the Sheraton Eatontown Hotel at a group rate.

Book Group Rate Room at Sheraton

Visitors may also consider the following nearby hotels as alternatives. (No room blocks available.)

Ocean Place Resort and Spa, located on the Long Branch boardwalk
Holiday Inn Express & Suites West Long Branch-Eatontown, located a short drive from campus on Route 36

Agenda & Speakers

CLICK HERE to download a PDF version of the agenda.

Day 1 | Friday, June 2 (In-Person/Hybrid)

VIRTUAL ATTENDEES: Zoom links for all sessions are now posted. Below are links that can be used for Track sessions throughout the day. Scroll below for links to the Symposium Opening, Executive Plenary and Keynote Address.

FOR ALL TRACK A SESSIONS: https://monmouth.zoom.us/j/91740061197?pwd=SUxEWFNRN2Y4SEkxaFRUYkdYZGdudz09

FOR ALL TRACK B SESSIONS: https://monmouth.zoom.us/j/94107676820

FOR ALL TRACK C SESSIONS: https://monmouth.zoom.us/j/93423558972?pwd=M2p5cGtzaVYyNjRZVGl0YVRSZjRIUT09

8-9 a.m.: Breakfast & Registration (Pozycki Hall, 1st floor)

9-9:30 a.m. Symposium Opening | Pozycki Hall 115 (Zoom link: https://monmouth.zoom.us/j/99185991299?pwd=RXREODB0SndCbi9DVXdrMjM0Z0pyUT09)

Patrick Leahy, Ed.D., Monmouth University President
Tammy Snyder Murphy, First Lady of New Jersey
Facilitators: Dr. Jiwon Kim and Taïphane Orange, Senior, Monmouth University

9:30-10:15 a.m. Morning Discussion Tracks (see above for virtual links)

TRACK A: Educating for Sustainability (Pozycki Hall 204). Moderator: Vecihi Serbay Zambak, School of Education
- “Incorporating Sustainability into a University Study Abroad,” Jeremy Lackman, Monmouth University
- “Climate Change, Just Transition and Clean Energy Resources for Sustainable Environment and Livelihood: Case Study Bangladesh,” Khondoker Hossain and Mahbuba Nasreen, Bangladesh University of Professionals (Bangladesh)

TRACK B: Moving Towards Sustainable Environment (Pozycki Hall 205). Moderator: Nguyen Pham, Leon Hess Business School
- “In Search of Conscious Consumption and Sustainable Consumer Demand: Cultivating Consumer Accountability for Sustainable Consumption and Production Goals,” Claude Taylor, Monmouth University
- “Mutual Benefits for Offshore Wind Energy in the Mid-Atlantic: Science and Policy Strategies to Mitigate Harm to Marine Species and Maximize Benefits for Renewable Energy,” Riya Ajmera, Monmouth University

TRACK C: Equity, Justice and Sustainable Communities (Pozycki Hall 206) Moderator: Rekha Datta, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- “Building a Sustainable Economy and Reducing Income Gaps through Financial Literacy,” Joseph Palazzolo and Carlos A. Navarro, Monmouth University
- “A Net-Zero Future in the Real Estate Industry,” Gina Shaughnessy, Monmouth University

10:15-11 a.m. Webinar: Executive Plenary on Institutional Best Practices on Sustainability | Pozycki Hall 115 (Zoom link: https://monmouth.zoom.us/j/99557757165?pwd=TlNsekJMVFNTVFgzK1VmS0ZxSWRnZz09 / Passcode: 059472)

Moderator: Tony MacDonald, Director, Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute
Dr. Rupa Chanda, Director, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia, and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Dr. Angel Cabrera, President of the Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. Catherine Duckett, Associate Dean, Monmouth University School of Science

11:05-12 p.m. Mid-Morning Discussion Tracks (see above for virtual links)

TRACK A: Educating for Sustainability (Pozycki Hall 204). Moderator: Michaeline Skiba, Leon Hess Business School
- “The White Coat Project: Empowering Students to Make Policy Decisions Toward Health Equity,” Alysson Goodwin, Denise Crowley, Cristianna Cardinale and Francesca Storino, Monmouth University
- “International Education Committee: Service Learning Opportunities for Faculty Members and Teacher Candidates in School of Education,” Vecihi Zambak, Ai Kamei, Jiwon Kim, Kathryn Lubniewski, Monmouth University
- “The Societal Impact Agenda for the Smaller Regional Business School: Design and Implementation of the Strategy,” Tjeerd Boonman, Michaeline Skiba, Monmouth University
TRACK B: Moving Towards Sustainable Environment (Pozycki Hall 205). Moderator: Jeffrey Weinstein, Leon Hess Business School
- “Consumer Health Education Search Patterns and information Sharing with Physicians,” Anait R. Gabrielyan, Mehrdad Roham, Norm Archer, McMaster University (Canada)
- “Sustainable Development in Louisiana: Interdisciplinary Perspectives,” Brian Bolton, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- “Indigenous Land Rights, SDGs, and Climate Change Resiliency,” Ranjan Datta, Mount Royal University (Canada)
TRACK C: Equity, Justice and Sustainable Communities (Pozycki Hall 206). Moderator: Raj Kaur, Leon Hess Business School
- “The UN Sustainable Development Goals and Global Justice,” Rosemary Barberet, Yousif Almasri, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY
- “Analyzing ESG in Aluminum Companies,” George A. Mangiero, Arif Qayyum, Charles J. Cante, Iona University
- “Conceptualizing Age-Friendly Environments: Perspectives of Older non-European Immigrants in Finland (AGE-Immigrant),” Shahnaj Begum, University of Lapland (Finland)

12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch | Pozycki Hall 2nd Floor

1:00-1:30 p.m. Youth Creative Works on Sustainability | Pozycki Hall 2nd Floor

Long Branch High School: Mariam Abdelwahed, Christopher Arias Reyes, Kayla Bolden, Jayson Campos, Jonathan Eugenio, Lizeth Eugenio, Maya Grayson, Rayanne Moura-Oliveira, Raphaella Pessoa. Biotechnology High School: Danielle Lee. Calgary High School: Prarthona Datta. Solebury School: Tiyasha Sarkar. SDG#5: Gender Equality – Posters from PS 377/Women and the World: A Comparative Study, Spring 2023, Monmouth University.

1:30-2:30 p.m. Keynote Address | Pozycki Hall 115 (Zoom link: https://monmouth.zoom.us/j/91590831909?pwd=WFNKSmNoVUpubnZ2Zmx3QlAvRnBlZz09)

Omar Hernandez, Program Manager of the United Nations Academic Impact
Facilitators: Dr. Rekha Datta and Lenien Jamir, Senior, Monmouth University

2:30-3 p.m. Afternoon Discussion Tracks (see above for virtual links)

TRACK A (Pozycki 204): Moderator: Michael Chattalas, Leon Hess Business School
- “Teaching the SDGs: Building a Sustainable Society,” Brian Bolton, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- “Interdisciplinary Elementary Teacher Education for Global Sustainability,” Jiwon Kim and Sandra Zak, Monmouth University
TRACK B Cont’d (Pozycki Hall 205). Moderator: Anna Sadovnikova, Leon Hess Business School
- “Stripers for the Future: A Research and Education Campaign,” John Tiedemann, Monmouth University
- “Structural Housing Inequity and Barriers to Home Ownership: A Systematic Review,” Anait R. Gabrielyan and Mehrdad Roham, McMaster University, and Anna Sadovnikova, Monmouth University

3:30-5:30 p.m. Reception | Monmouth University Guggenheim Memorial Library

EVENING CONCERT EVENT: Visitors may also be interested in attending the “The Mississippi Delta Meets the Jersey Shore” music event at 8 p.m. on campus at the Lauren K. Woods Theatre. Tickets are limited. Click here for details.

Day 2 | Saturday, June 3 (Virtual)

FOR ALL TRACK A SESSIONS: https://monmouth.zoom.us/j/91394894089?pwd=ZjFpb0QyOFlWT0o5YUFIVm8zWlFjUT09

FOR ALL TRACK B SESSIONS: https://monmouth.zoom.us/j/91969624919

FOR ALL TRACK C SESSIONS: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84087090298?pwd=cUxMOGRPcjg1djl2cXduVlRPQnI2UT09

9:00-9:30 a.m. Convener Panel on Sustainability (Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84087090298?pwd=cUxMOGRPcjg1djl2cXduVlRPQnI2UT09)

Dr. Nikita Burrows, Assistant Professor, Monmouth University Department of Chemistry and Physics
Tony MacDonald, Director, Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute
Dr. Anna Sadovnikova, Assistant Professor, Monmouth University Leon Hess School of Business

9:30-10:15 a.m. Discussion Tracks

TRACK A: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Sustainability Teaching and Research I. Moderator: Warren Brown, School of Science
- “Remembering Global Health: Before and Beyond COVID,” Nicholas Thomas, City University of Hong Kong
- “The Effect of Nutrients on Sustainable Biochemical Produce,” Vasundhara Pattanaik, Sarah Varma, Ekaterina A. Koromyslova, Gary A. Anderson, South
  Dakota State University
- “’Learn to Read’ and ‘Read to Learn’: Improving Reading Skills of Children in the Indian State of West Bengal,” Majumdar Manabi, Ahamed Sabir, Urba Chaudhuri, Pratichi (India) Trust

TRACK B: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Sustainability Teaching and Research II. Moderator: Nikita Burrows, School of Science
- “Environmental Humanities: Method and Exemplars,” Pankaj Jain, Flame University
- “Process Interferences on Preserving Microorganisms in Biofertilizer Production from Biowastes,” Robiul Islam Rubel, Lin Wei, Gary Anderson, South Dakota State University
- “A Novel Approach of Community-Engagement Practices in HE to Empower Women and Girls Considering SDG,” Fawad Naseer, Beaconhouse International College (Pakistan)

TRACK C: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Sustainability Teaching and Research III. Moderator: Tony MacDonald, Urban Coast Institute
- “Sustainable Development: People, Culture and Mindset,” Jaishree Sharma, Monmouth University
- “Sustainable Reusing Wastewater from a Dairy Manufacturing Plant: An Interdisciplinary Approach,” Maryam Sahraei, Siavash Ebrahimzadeh, Noor Haleem, Shashikanth Sheri, South Dakota State University
- “Women-led Climate Change Solutions (WCCS): Developing a Policy Guide from Indigenous and Immigrants Perspectives,” Jebunnessa Chapola, University of Regina (Canada)

10:15-10:30 a.m. Break

10:30-11:15 a.m. Discussion Tracks Continued

TRACK A: Moderator: Tjeerd Boonman, Leon Hess Business School
- “Embedding Social Change Learning Across the Curriculum: Results of a Collaborative Instructional Design Project at Georgia Tech,” Rebecca Watts Hull and Teresa Snow, Georgia Institute of Technology
- “A Conceptual Navigation Model for Autonomous Self-Propelled Fertilizer Applicator,” Samuel Kariuki, Miriam Peter, Robiul Islam Rubel, South Dakota
  State University
- “Reflections and Mental Health of Youth Involved in Environmental Activism,” Alyson Pompeo-Fargnoli, Melissa Alvare, Monmouth University, Kathleen Grant, The College of New Jersey
TRACK B: Moderator: Anna Sadovnikova, Leon Hess Business School
- “Sounding Equality: Teaching a Sustainable Music History,” Thomas Irvine, University of Southampton (UK), Christopher J. Smith, Texas Tech University
- “Faculty and Student Perceptions of Interdisciplinary Teaching Experiences,” Ekaterina Koromyslova (South Dakota State University), Anna Sadovnikova (Monmouth University), Bishnu Karki, Prafulla Salunke, Carrie Steinlicht, Gary Anderson, Todd Trooien (South Dakota State University)
- “Active-Learning Through Student Proposals for Institutional Sustainability,” Azzam Elayan, Monmouth University

About the SDGs

In September 2015, the 193 United Nations member states adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs launched 17 goals which set a 15-year global agenda geared toward a more inclusive, sustainable future for all. At its core, these goals seek to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect our planet for future generations.

About the STAR Symposium

The Sustainability in Teaching and Research (STAR) symposium, hosted at Monmouth University on June 2-3, will consist of a multidisciplinary representation of pedagogical and scholarly work anchored in the SDGs, primarily those that are geared toward equity (GOALS 1, 5, 8 and 10); environmental and climate action on land and below water (GOALS 6, 7, 13, 14 & 15); sustainability, inclusivity and social justice (GOALS 3, 4, 9, 11 & 16); global partnerships and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development (GOAL 17); and the alignments with the other SDGs as relevant.

The SDGs also unleashed a collaborative process that involves governments, businesses, civil society and citizens in a collaborative commitment to secure a sustainable future for all nations and peoples. Educational institutions, which serve communities by creating knowledge platforms and action plans for the betterment of society, are at the heart of the success of the SDGs and our common futures. This symposium is geared toward attracting and sharing information on pedagogical and curricular innovations and research projects that incorporate and implement the SDGs.

Paper Submissions

Following the symposium, selected and peer-reviewed submissions will be compiled into a peer-reviewed edited volume to be published by an academic publisher. To submit a paper to our reviewers, email starsymposiumsubmissions@monmouth.edu.

Monmouth a UNAI and UGC Member

Monmouth University is a United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) member institution. The initiative aligns institutions of higher education with the U.N. in supporting and contributing to the realization of its goals and mandates, including the promotion and protection of human rights, access to education, sustainability and conflict resolution. Click here to learn more about the UNAI and its principles.

In addition, Monmouth University is a University Global Coalition signatory. The aim of the University Global Coalition is to form a global platform of universities and other higher education organizations committed to working together and in partnership with the United Nations, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and other relevant organizations, in support of the Sustainable Development Goals both locally and globally through their education, research, and service missions.