As a passionate advocate for sustainable development, I’ve been closely following the remarkable work being done by the University of Minnesota’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Initiative. Their commitment to advancing research, teaching, and partnerships that address the pressing global challenges outlined in the UN’s 2030 Agenda is truly inspiring.
Recently, I came across some fascinating insights from their latest round of SDG research grants, and I couldn’t wait to share them with you. These projects not only showcase the incredible interdisciplinary expertise at the university, but they also highlight the critical interconnections between wastewater treatment, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
Unlocking the Secrets of Wastewater Treatment Ponds
Let’s start with the groundbreaking work of Paige Novak, a professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering. Her research tackles a pressing issue: the complexity and energy-intensive nature of conventional wastewater treatment, which often makes it impractical for rural and underserved communities.
Novak and her team are exploring the potential of low-tech wastewater treatment technologies, such as wastewater treatment ponds, that can be leveraged globally to improve sanitation. The key, they’ve discovered, lies in understanding the microbiological processes that underpin the performance of these ponds.
“Studying the pond microbiome should allow us to determine the extent to which treatment performance is controlled by deterministic mechanisms and within those factors under engineering control, which are the most important,” explains Novak.
By taking this innovative, microbiology-focused approach, the researchers aim to uncover critical insights that can inform the design and optimization of these more accessible wastewater treatment solutions. And in doing so, they’re directly addressing outcomes related to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), while also contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Uncovering Inequities in Urban Greenspaces
Another fascinating project comes from Mark Pereira, a professor in the School of Public Health. His team is tackling the challenge of assessing greenspace access and its implications for human health and environmental sustainability.
“Common methods used to assess greenspace access have limitations,” says Pereira. “The research team will develop and test a novel Urban Greenspace Access Score and examine greenspace inequities within Minneapolis-St. Paul, an urban region with growing environmental and social justice concerns.”
By creating this robust and reproducible measurement tool, the researchers aim to shed light on the disparities in greenspace access across different neighborhoods. This has the potential to be a game-changer, as it can inform policy decisions and guide efforts to ensure that the health benefits of urban greenspaces are equitably distributed.
Importantly, this project supports outcomes tied to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) – underscoring the interconnected nature of the SDGs and the need for holistic, cross-cutting solutions.
Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Refugee Camps
Moving to a different facet of sustainable development, Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu, a professor in the School of Nursing, is leading a study that examines the experiences of gender-based violence (GBV) among refugee women of childbearing age in Malawi.
“Gender equality is key to accomplishing all Sustainable Development Goals,” Mkandawire-Valhmu emphasizes. “GBV has important implications for maternal morbidity and mortality, and refugee women who flee to low-income countries like Malawi are faced with additional vulnerabilities.”
This mixed-methods study aims to provide foundational knowledge about the lived experiences of GBV among childbearing women in the Dzaleka refugee camp. The findings will inform the development of future healthcare interventions and policies to promote and protect the health of these vulnerable populations, directly supporting outcomes tied to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), while also addressing issues related to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
Empowering Educators to Address Global Challenges
Another project that caught my attention comes from Laura Rice, a professor in the Department of Agricultural Education, Communications, and Marketing. She’s leading an initiative that focuses on equipping educators with the necessary skills and tools to tackle complex, global agricultural challenges.
“Resolving such challenges requires partnership and collaboration across borders and disciplinary boundaries,” Rice explains. “Teaching complex skills necessary for collaboration must begin in the educational system with highly-trained educators modeling the behaviors and teaching students the connection between local action and global solutions.”
By fostering the development of strong communities of practice, both digital and in-person, this project aims to enhance the effectiveness of interventions in educator development. Ultimately, these efforts contribute to outcomes related to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 4 (Quality Education) – two crucial pillars for sustainable development.
Cultivating Culturally-Responsive Evaluation Practices
Delving deeper into the realm of education, I was intrigued by the collaborative project led by Katie Johnston-Goodstar and Meixi, from the School of Social Work and the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, respectively.
In partnership with the National Council for the Promotion of Education (CONAFE) in Mexico, they’re working to co-design a culturally-responsive evaluation tool for land-based educational practices in Indigenous community schools. This endeavor explores Indigenous land education as a mechanism to achieve outcomes related to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
“This co-designed project will include continued assistance in the development and pedagogy of land and family-based curriculum, qualitative data collection, storymapping, educational walks, and conversational field inquiry,” explain the researchers.
By embracing an emic, or insider, perspective in the design of the evaluation tool, this project exemplifies the importance of centering Indigenous knowledge and practices in sustainable development initiatives.
Empowering Interviewers for Sustainable Development
Another intriguing project comes from the collaborative efforts of Natasha Wright and Carlye Lauff, who are researchers in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Product Design Program, respectively.
Their work focuses on a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of sustainable development: the art of interviewing. As they’ve discovered, the background and level of readiness of interviewers can significantly impact the quality and depth of the information gathered during field research.
“Historically, little to no formal interviewing training has been provided to team members or community participants,” the researchers explain. “Team members trained in interviewing have been shown to produce more accurate and in-depth information as well as drive innovative outcomes.”
This project aims to address this gap by locally training Afghan women and Alight personnel to conduct interviews and extract insights related to a project of interest. Additionally, the researchers seek to disseminate best practices for interviewing that can be applied to all sustainable development projects, supporting outcomes tied to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
Embracing the Interconnectedness of Sustainable Development
As I delve deeper into the remarkable work being done by the University of Minnesota’s SDG Initiative, I’m struck by the profound interconnectedness of the various projects and their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Whether it’s unlocking the secrets of wastewater treatment ponds, uncovering inequities in urban greenspaces, addressing gender-based violence in refugee camps, empowering educators to tackle global challenges, cultivating culturally-responsive evaluation practices, or enhancing the skills of sustainable development interviewers – each of these initiatives is making a tangible impact in its own way.
But what truly excites me is the way these diverse efforts come together to form a tapestry of sustainable development, where the progress in one area catalyzes advancements in another. It’s a holistic, systems-level approach that recognizes the inherent interdependence of the SDGs and the need for collaborative, multidisciplinary solutions.
As I reflect on these inspiring projects, I’m reminded of the wise words of the Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development (GSISD): “By working together, we can make a positive impact on the world and create a future that is both sustainable and equitable.”
The University of Minnesota’s SDG Initiative is a shining example of this collaborative spirit in action, and I’m honored to witness their contribution to a more sustainable, prosperous, and just future for all. I encourage you to explore the Institute’s work further and consider how you can get involved in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in your own community.
After all, as the GSISD emphasizes, “Addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality” is key to creating a world in which “all individuals have the opportunity to live happy and pursue dignified living.” And through strategic partnerships, innovative research, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability, the University of Minnesota is leading the charge in making this vision a reality.
So, let’s continue to support the incredible work being done by the SDG Initiative and other organizations dedicated to sustainable development. Together, we can build a better tomorrow, one wastewater treatment pond, urban greenspace, and empowered community at a time.
Alpha Wastewater is committed to providing sustainable wastewater treatment solutions that align with the Sustainable Development Goals. By partnering with organizations like the University of Minnesota, we can drive real progress and create a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally-conscious future.