Living Laboratory for Sustainability at Stanford

Catalog description

Living Laboratory for Sustainability at Stanford immerses participants in the practical application of sustainability principles within Stanford's operations, infrastructure and utility systems. Through hands-on, experiential learning, students will explore how the university operates at a city scale to sustain modern life while addressing real-world sustainability challenges. By critically analyzing these systems and engaging with diverse sustainability topics, students will develop key skills to contribute meaningfully to sustainability transitions, both on campus and beyond. The course connects operational systems to local and regional resources, preparing students for purposeful impact by expanding their understanding of rapid shifts towards sustainable solutions. By the end of the course, students will have developed foundational knowledge of life-sustaining services (energy, water, waste, land, buildings, food and purchasing) and the opportunities and constraints of advancing a sustainability agenda in real-world contexts. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to enroll, and those with an interest in contributing to transformative sustainability practices at Stanford and in the broader world will find this course particularly relevant. The course also provides a pathway for students interested in further engagement through Sustainable Stanford internships, fellowships and research using Stanford campus as a living laboratory.