five person by table watching turned on white iMac

Big Questions.
Practical Answers.

At ISE, our research starts where the classroom ends—with real challenges, real communities, and real opportunities to make education better. We ask tough questions about what works, what’s missing, and how schools can evolve in a world that’s constantly changing.

Our research isn’t locked away in academic journals—it’s built to inform action, spark conversation, and support educators on the ground.

Our Research Focus

We investigate how education can equip learners, educators, and communities to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Our research spans classrooms, communities, and policy spaces, connecting sustainability, equity, and innovation in powerful ways. From climate literacy and educational equity to instructional design and global engagement, our work bridges theory and practice to shape the future of learning.

Equity in Education Systems

Our research investigates barriers to educational equity and develops strategies for inclusive, just, and culturally responsive learning environments.

Key topics: Race and education, multilingual learner inclusion, gender equity in STEM, rural-urban education gaps.

Teacher Professional Learning and Innovation

We study effective models of teacher preparation, ongoing learning, and leadership—especially in sustainability and student-centered pedagogy.

Key topics: Teacher collaboration networks, inquiry-based learning, educator well-being.

Digital Learning and Instructional Design

Our team explores the intersection of technology, pedagogy, and sustainability to create meaningful, engaging learning experiences across contexts.

Key topics: Edtech for sustainability, hybrid learning design, digital equity.

Climate and Environmental Literacy

We explore how students, educators, and communities can build a deep understanding of climate change, ecosystems, and sustainability challenges—integrating science with civic action.

Key topics: K–12 climate curriculum, place-based learning, environmental justice education.

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

We examine how ESD principles are embedded in schools and policies, and how learners build competencies to address global challenges.

Key topics: SDG integration in curricula, systems thinking, global citizenship education.

Community-Engaged and Experiential Learning

We focus on how partnerships with communities and hands-on experiences can deepen learning and foster civic engagement.

Key topics: School-community collaboration, project-based learning, youth participatory action research.

Policy, Systems, and Governance in Education

We analyze how education policies and leadership structures support or hinder innovation, equity, and sustainability in education.

Key topics: Policy analysis, school transformation, sustainable leadership practices.

Assessment and Impact Evaluation

We develop and test tools for measuring learning outcomes, program effectiveness, and institutional transformation in sustainability education.

Key topics: Learning assessments, equity audits, impact of global exchange programs.

Youth Agency and Leadership Development

We explore how educational environments can foster young people’s capacity to lead, advocate, and act on issues that matter to them and their communities.

Key topics: Youth activism, civic engagement, leadership pathways, participatory learning models.

Flagship Projects

The Resilient Schools Study
woman carrying white and green textbook
woman carrying white and green textbook
person holding on red pen while writing on book
person holding on red pen while writing on book

A multi-year look at how K–12 schools are adapting curriculum and teaching practices in the face of climate disruption and social change.

The Equity Tracker

A research-backed framework and data dashboard helping schools measure and improve equity in student outcomes and access.

Future Learning Labs

Hands-on pilot programs in partnership with schools, testing new models of teaching sustainability, systems thinking, and community-based problem-solving.

How We Work

At the Institute for Sustainable Education, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that lasting change in education happens when research, practice, and policy are deeply connected. That’s why we work hand-in-hand with a wide range of partners to ensure our ideas are not only evidence-based but also grounded in real-world impact.

We partner with:

  • Public school districts striving for equity and innovation

  • Teacher training institutions preparing the next generation of educators

  • Local and state education departments shaping policy and curriculum

  • NGOs and mission-aligned education technology companies advancing access and creativity

  • International education and development networks working toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Our approach blends data and storytelling—pairing deep qualitative insights with rigorous quantitative research. Whether we're conducting a school equity audit or co-designing a teacher exchange program, we turn research into action by centering the voices of educators, students, and communities.

Research That Travels

We believe research should move—not just sit in reports. At ISE, what we learn fuels real change in classrooms, institutions, and systems. We make sure our findings are accessible, actionable, and widely shared.

Our research informs and shapes:

  • Education policy guidance – Evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers and school leaders

  • Open-access tools for educators – Classroom-ready resources and frameworks that reflect the latest insights

  • Professional development content – Engaging learning experiences designed to support teachers in applying new practices

  • Global conversations on sustainable education – Contributions to international forums, collaborations, and publications that elevate sustainable, inclusive learning