ESPP Weekly Update (10/05/2026)
ESPP News & Announcements
Seminars, Workshops & Other Events
Hanover Forest Science Seminar: “Building a Sustainable Forest Bioeconomy through Forest Economic Modeling, Market Innovation, and Decision Support” — Raju Pokharel
Fourth of six in the Hanover Forest Science Seminar Series (Mondays, 11:30–12:30 PM ET, Room 338 Natural Resources, broadcast over Zoom). Speakers are available for questions immediately following their presentations.
Community Sustainability Hamm-Norris Seminar: “The Role of Restaurants and Chefs in Addressing the Climate Crisis” — Taylor Reid
The food system is responsible for one-third of the global climate footprint, and across the planet people are increasingly eating food prepared by restaurants and institutions. This presentation discusses both the effect of global climate change on restaurants and chefs and the impacts of the decisions made within restaurants on the size of their climate footprints, concluding with thoughts about how restaurants, chefs, and eaters might work together to address the climate crisis. Taylor Reid is Professor of Applied Food Studies at the Culinary Institute of America. Zoom login information is available here.
2026 Great Lakes Microplastics Summit (October 7–8)
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) hosts this dynamic two-day, virtual event uniting scientists, professionals, policymakers, and community members to explore the growing impact of microplastics on our freshwater systems. Sessions cover where microplastics go in the environment, advances in detection methods, human and environmental health risks, interactions with other contaminants, and strategies to regulate, reduce, and replace them. Register here.
Water Alliance Lunch & Learn: Harmful Algal Blooms
The MSU Water Alliance Lunch & Learn series features Aquatic Ecology hub co-lead Dr. Elena Litchman and Carol Waldmann Rosenbaum discussing harmful algal blooms. Register here.
Spring 2027 Admission Deadline
The Environmental Science and Policy Program is now accepting applications for the 2027 Spring Semester. ESPP offers three distinct programs for graduate students at MSU: the dual major doctoral program in environmental science and policy (incoming Ph.D. students or students within their first two doctoral years), the graduate specialization in environmental policy (master's students), and the graduate certificate in environmental and social systems modeling (master's students). For more information, including how to apply, visit espp.msu.edu/education or contact espp@msu.edu.
ESPP Competitive Research Grant Submission Deadline
The ESPP Competitive Research Grant (CRG) is designed to support interdisciplinary student research at the intersection of environmental science and policy. Expenses should directly support the student's research; allowable expenses include travel, software, instrumentation costs, and participant support costs. If travel is included, it must be approved prior to anticipated travel dates. Equipment is not an allowable expense. Students may not combine these grants with other College of Social Science fellowships. Details on the CRG page.
Knight Center Mary Gardner Lecture: “Navigating Uncertainty: The Craft of Environmental Journalism in Latin America” — Maria Isabel Torres
The Knight Center for Environmental Journalism hosts the 2026 Mary A. Gardner Endowed Lecture with Maria Isabel Torres, Program Director at Mongabay. Drawing on her experience at Mongabay Latam, she will explore the challenges and opportunities of covering environmental stories across Latin America and discuss how reporters produce rigorous, innovative, and impactful journalism amid uncertainty.
Scholarships, Fellowships, & Funding Opportunities
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2027 Switzer Environmental Fellowships | Deadline: December 14, 2026, 11:59 PM PST
The Switzer Foundation is accepting applications for the 2027 Switzer Environmental Fellowships, given to graduate students who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and commitment to a career in environmental improvement. Eligibility is no longer restricted to California and New England schools — the fellowship is now open to graduate students at accredited institutions throughout the United States and U.S. territories. Each fellowship includes a one-year $18,000 unrestricted cash award, two multi-day leadership training and cohort-building retreats, access to grant programs and career support, and engagement with the Switzer Network of 800+ environmental leaders. Students of color, first-generation students, and students from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. An information session will be held November 18, 3–4 PM EST (register via Eventbrite).
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Michigan Chapter SWCS Conservation Scholarship ($1,000) | Deadline: November 9, 2026
The Michigan Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society is offering a $1,000 scholarship through the Michigan Scholarships in Conservation Program for the Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 academic year. Applications must reach the Scholarship Committee by November 9, 2026; the recipient will be selected by November 30. The fillable application is available on the MiSWCS website or from Chapter Secretary Daniel F. Kesselring (kesselring@miglswcs.org).
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USGS 104(g) General Funding Research Opportunity | Deadline: November 12, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
The United States Geological Survey is accepting applications under the 104(g) General Funding Research Opportunity, supporting water resources research projects. The MSU Institute of Water Research team is available to answer questions.
Job and Training Opportunities
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The Kennedy School invites applications for two faculty positions in energy and climate change. The first is a tenure-track junior scholar position applying disciplinary tools (preference for political science or economics) to questions in energy policy, energy markets, the politics and geopolitics of energy, the energy transition, and/or climate change, with a joint appointment at the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability. The second is a full-time Lecturer position combining practical experience in energy and climate policy with teaching excellence (initial three-year appointment, possibility of renewal). Submit a cover letter, CV, research/teaching statement, and writing samples via the posting link; review begins October 15, 2026 and continues until filled.
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MSU will host National Geographic Explorer Dr. Reyhaneh Maktoufi for a communications workshop on “Strategy and Storytelling,” aimed at faculty, post-docs, research staff, and Ph.D. students. Drawing on narrative research, the session uses examples and activities to discuss storytelling principles and help participants find the right story based on their goals. The workshop is offered at no cost through support from University Outreach and Engagement, University Communications and Marketing, the College of Natural Science, Graduate Studies, and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. Space is limited — register here; questions: jbesley@msu.edu.
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The Michigan Section of the American Water Works Association (MI-AWWA) is hosting its second Young Professionals Summit on March 9–10, 2027 at Lansing Community College (West Campus), only about a 10-minute drive from campus. The event connects young professionals (generally under 35) with water experts to build professional networks and engagement with Michigan's water community. Undergraduate and graduate students and early-career professionals working in the water space are encouraged to submit a presentation abstract via mi-water.org/yp-summit by October 30, 2026. Questions: Hillary, Director of Education and Workforce Training, MI-AWWA.
Environment News
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US supreme court hears big oil's bid to block climate damage lawsuits (The Guardian)
The Supreme Court heard Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil's attempt to stop state-level climate damage lawsuits; how the court will lean remains unclear.
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Revealed: the methane mega-leaks from UN climate summit host Turkey (The Guardian)
An investigation found Turkish landfills producing some of the world's worst methane plumes — an awkward backdrop for a Cop31 host calling for global curbs on the gas.
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Australia and Turkey criticised for hosting UN climate conference while embracing coal (The Guardian)
Climate groups say the two nations heading toward Cop31 are expanding coal use even as they convene the world's climate talks.
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Mixed start for pre-Cop as just two non-Pacific leaders accept Australian invitation to climate summit (The Guardian)
PM Albanese joined about 4,000 people in Fiji for the preparatory meeting for the year-ending Cop31 UN climate summit, amid thin world-leader turnout.
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Swiss glaciers suffer 'disastrous' year of ice loss, threatening water supplies (BBC)
Scientists say such rapid melting is no longer surprising given the pace of climate change, with serious implications for Alpine water supplies.