Who we are
Building Interdisciplinary Teams & Stakeholder Partnerships
Lauded by University of Maine president Susan Hunter as “…one of the most ambitious programs ever begun at UMaine,” the Mitchell Center has received national and international recognition for its commitment to innovative, solutions-driven partnerships.
Solving sustainability problems requires unprecedented levels of program integration involving a high degree of interdisciplinary teamwork and robust university-stakeholder partnerships. The Mitchell Center works on collaborative projects with a diverse array of researchers from colleges and universities across Maine as well as stakeholder partners from municipal, state and federal government, NGOs, the private sector, tribal nations, and individuals.
The Mitchell Center’s strategy for strengthening research teams and partnerships has two major components.
First, all research teams include experts in the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability challenges and decision-making. These include experts in communication, political science, public policy, economics, engineering, and the natural sciences including forestry, agriculture, climate, energy, water resources, and more. Second, these interdisciplinary teams work in close partnership with stakeholders to maximize the relevance and potential value of research. Our collaborative approach rests on a foundation of mutual respect, open communication, and a belief in the value of diverse ideas and experiences.
To date, the Mitchell Center has supported the work of more than 143 faculty from twelve Maine colleges and universities, 131 graduate and 448 undergraduates, and 62 high school students and nearly 300 stakeholder organizations.