DURHAM, N.C. – Ryan Emanuel, associate professor of hydrology, and Alexander Glass, senior lecturer in earth and climate sciences, have been selected as members of Duke University’s first cohort of Climate Change Faculty Fellows.

They and 10 other newly selected Faculty Fellows from across campus will now help develop Duke’s latest university course, “UNIV 102: Let’s Talk About Climate Change.”

The interdisciplinary course, which will be offered to undergraduates starting this fall, is being designed to build climate literacy among students and spur conversations—both in and out of the classroom—that help promote positive action on climate change.

Emily Bernhardt, James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Biology, and Norman Wirzba, Gilbert T. Rowe Distinguished Professor of Theology, will serve as the course’s primary instructors.

As Faculty Fellows, Emanuel and Glass will help develop content and activities for the course as well as serve as guest lecturers and mentors to the students. 

Emanuel is widely known for his scholarship and research on water and water-related aspects of environmental justice and Indigenous rights, especially in the context of climate change.

Glass trained as a professional paleontologist and geologist but now focuses much of his time and passion on finding innovative ways to teach climate change within the culture of controversy that currently dominates U.S. public dialogue on the topic.

The new university course is part of a larger university-wide climate initiative, which aims to infuse climate content into every aspect of the university’s mission — education, research, external engagement, community partnership and operations. 

 

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