We offer a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programs and courses that have a direct link to sustainability, climate science, adaptation and mitigation, economics, law, policy and governance aspects of climate change vulnerability and energy. There is also a suite of areas that can contribute to increasing our knowledge and action in areas like psychology, art, communication, philosophy, computer technology and AI, engineering, chemistry, business and risk management, and many more.

There are a range of research projects linked to sustainability at undergraduate, postgraduate, HDR-levels and beyond. These could include research on energy efficiency, renewables, battery storage and carbon sequestration, community engagement around emissions reductions and technologies that support behaviour change to reduce emissions.

If you do not have course space to complete a course or internship with us, you can still be involved through student projects. Ask your course convener about special research projects available within your degree, which may give you an opportunity to tailor a small research project on sustainability. Alternatively, contact Below Zero directly to volunteer or pitch a project outside degree-connected options.

Internships can provide you with an opportunity to gain real-world experience through a workplace project of 120 or 240 hours over a semester. These internships assist in developing your employability in terms of verbal and written communication, research, and problem-solving skills.

One of the key differences of a sustainability internship is the independent, research-led experience provided to you, allowing you to make a unique contribution. You can design and develop your own project within a broad scope and are awarded the opportunity to work on emerging ideas and methods in sustainability. We currently support internships from the College of Business and Economics Internship Program (undergraduate and postgraduate), and the Australian National Internships Program. We can also facilitate internships from other areas at the University.

The ANU Green program is working to operationalise various environmental sustainability programs at ANU including transitioning our energy systems away from fossil fuels, emission reduction programs across our operational (e.g. fleet vehicles) and non-operational (e.g. travel and waste) sources, creating a circular economy system on campus, monitoring and reporting our environmental impacts, community engagement in sustainability and climate action, climate change risk and adaptation approaches, landscape and biodiversity programs. Our approach integrates practical action to manage environmental impacts with our world-leading research and teaching. We aim to use our expertise to drive innovation, using the University as a living lab and demonstrator.

Want to incorporate a research project into your degree or research program? Explore these topics and more and let us know how ANU can act as a living lab from your project.