Category Archives: Research

Action Research at the Chicago Lights Urban Farm

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Michael Bryson

Many of the writing and research assignments I give my students at RU are fairly straightforward and prescriptive. I give them a lot of concrete guidelines and freedom to choose a topic; they crank out the work; and then I … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Chicago, Classes, Community, Education, Food, Green design, Research, Roosevelt, Social justice, Students, Sustainability | Comments Off

Winter Symposium on Sustainability at Augustana College

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Michael Bryson

Today I head west to the city of Rock Island, which hugs the Mississippi River in northwestern Illinois (right across the water from Davenport, Iowa). I’ve been invited to give a talk on urban sustainability issues in Chicago at Augustana … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Conferences, Photography, Research, Rivers, Sustainability, Urban ecology, Urban nature, Water | Comments Off

RU LIbrary: Research Workshops for Students

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Michael Bryson

Hey, RU students! Want to improve your research skills in order to find great sources for your academic work, whether in print or online? If so, your timing’s perfect, since my colleague Katy Hite, instructional librarian at RU, is running … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Education, Research, Roosevelt, Students | Comments Off

City Creatures Retreat at the Indiana Dunes (Pictures and Random Thoughts)

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Michael Bryson

I’ve never been invited to a writer’s retreat before (not to mention a writers and artists retreat), and despite long anticipation and careful planning for this one, I almost didn’t get to go to this one when my spouse took … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Chicago, Community, Events, Field Trips, Literature, Parklands, Research, Urban ecology, Urban nature, Wetlands, Wildlife | Comments Off

Food Deserts: Myth or Reality?

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Michael Bryson

I was greatly surprised to read this article by Gina Kolata on today’s (18 April 2012) front page of the New York Times about the supposed lack of documented links between urban food deserts and incidence of obesity. A couple … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Food, Research, Social justice, Sustainability | 1 Comment

Sustainability Internship Deadline Extended to 4/16

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Michael Bryson

This semester my SUST 210 honors class is working on a community-based research project in collaboration with the Chicago non-profit organization, The Institute for Cultural Affairs, based in Uptown. Along with students from several other Chicago colleges and universities, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Education, Internships, Research, Students, Sustainability | Comments Off

Undergrad Research Opportunities at the Field Museum

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Michael Bryson

This summer the Field Museum of Natural History here in the Chicago is offering several Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) fellowships for summer research in the biological sciences. This is a unique and valuable opportunity to do paid (!) summer … Continue reading →

Posted in Biodiversity, Research, Scholarships, Science, Students | Comments Off

Summer 2012 Great Lakes Research Opportunities for Undergrads at UWM

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Michael Bryson

Here’s an exciting summer research opportunity for SUST majors with interests in science and water. The National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program funds summer research programs all over the US each year, and one noteworthy prospect is … Continue reading →

Posted in Internships, Research, Science, Students, Water | Comments Off

EPA Research Fellowship Opportunities for Fall 2012

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Michael Bryson

This fellowship opportunity just crossed my desk. I’m sure the application process is rigorous, but the SUST major at RU qualifies as an eligible program of study, according to my quick scan of the applicant requirements. If you’re entering your … Continue reading →

Posted in Research, Scholarships, Students | Comments Off

Re-discovering Leonard Dubkin, Chicago Urban Nature Writer

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Michael Bryson

As a literary critic, one recognizes the rare privilege in discovering an obscure yet talented writer — whether someone living or from the distant past — and reintroducing that person to a contemporary readership. Such was my opportunity a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Criticism, Literature, Research, Urban ecology | 9 Comments