Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions

Of the food produced in the United State, 40 percent is wasted. Not only could this wasted food help feed those who need it, food waste also contributes to climate change. To mark Earth Day, Maine Public presented a Maine Calling show, “The harms of food waste, its links to climate change, and how Maine […]

Over 25 research posters and displays were presented by students and researchers at a 3-hour Networking Session for Sustainability Solutions on Friday, April 22 in Memorial Union. The event was attended by close to 100 people and provided opportunities for attendees to discuss new research ideas, build collaborations on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary related topics, and […]

Research co-authored by Tim Waring on what goes into scaling up societal change was recently highlighted by UMaine News. Waring is an associate professor of social-ecological systems modeling in the School of Economics and the Mitchell Center. The study examines the need for both behavioral and policy change, and how the two interact to create […]

Bridie McGreavy, associate professor of environmental communication at UMaine, is lead author of a study, recently published in the journal Frontiers in Communication, that explores how communication shapes collaboration and engaged research. Darren Ranco, professor of anthropology and chair of Native American Programs at UMaine, and Heather Leslie, professor of marine sciences and director of […]

Dominique DiSpirito, a senior political science major with minors in legal studies and ecology and environmental sciences, has been named Valedictorian and Outstanding Graduating Student in the Honors College for the class of 2022. DiSpirito’s impressive accomplishments and experience include a Mitchell Center internship during which she worked with municipalities across Maine to set up […]

Jean MacRae, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at UMaine and Mitchell Center faculty fellow, recently spoke with the Bangor Daily News about two aspects of Maine’s ongoing PFAS crisis: PFAS in landfill leachate—the liquid runoff from landfilled waste—and in wastewater treatment. MacRae is part of a Mitchell Center team that is researching PFAS […]

The 2022 Maine Food Waste Solutions Summit will be held virtually on Friday, April 15, from 9 a.m.–noon. This year’s theme is “Improving Maine’s Food System.” Food waste data is grim. The Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that 40% of food produced is never eaten, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture finds that this waste […]

“Developing Social Indicators of Resilience in Maine’s Lobster Fishery” was the subject of a February 25 Lunch and Learn online event hosted by the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries (MCCF). Although the biology, ecology and population dynamics of Maine lobster are extensively researched, not much is known about the social side of the lobster fishery—the […]

Brieanne Berry, Mitchell Center postdoctoral research associate, is lead author on recently published research that explores how social justice plays a role in the development of a circular economy. Cindy Isenhour and Michael Haedicke, both Mitchell Center faculty fellows, are co-authors on the study. Learn more in a recent article at UMaine News. UMaine research […]

We are excited to share the news that four Mitchell Center members have received tenure and/or promotion this spring. This annual announcement is an important opportunity to recognize faculty members’ outstanding achievements and contributions in teaching, scholarship and research, and community engagement. “[These faculty members] contribute to the transformative UMaine student experience for undergraduate and […]