Living Lab Fellowship Program for Sustainability

The Living Laboratory Fellowship Program for Sustainability provides Stanford students real-world sustainability leadership and project management opportunities that meaningfully advance Stanford’s operational sustainability goals. Offered in partnership with the LBRE Office of Sustainability, the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, and the Bill Lane Center for the American West, the program collaborates widely with schools, departments, and operational units across Stanford, including the O'Donohue Family Educational Farm, Residential & Dining Enterprises, and Business Affairs.

Fellows are matched with pre-vetted campus sustainability projects, in topic areas including Zero Waste, Climate Action, Behavior Change, Scope 3 Emissions, Building Systems/Operations, Education & Outreach, Environmental/Social Equity and Justice, Food Systems, Data Management & Analytics, Transportation, and Land Use. Read more about the program in the Stanford Report.

Program Support Structures:

Students in the program will be supported by Stanford staff, faculty, and fellow students and will develop project-specific advisory boards comprised of subject-matter experts and industry professionals. 

Students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply during Winter and Spring Quarter for the following academic year. Student Applications for Academic Year 2024-2025 will open up in early Spring 2024.

Campus Sustainability Partners interested in hosting a project and fellow can submit proposals for the AY 24-25 Fellowship cohort - deadline December 8th 2023.

Program Overview

Living Lab Fellows:

• Gain professional, real-word experience as a sustainability leader & project manager
• Meaningfully & measurably contribute to the advancement of operational sustainability goals at Stanford
• Receive mentorship & advice from dedicated experts in their project field
• Expand their professional network
• Join a high-caliber cohort of applied student scholars helping to define and demonstrate sustainability leadership at Stanford
• Are paid between $20-25/hour to support their participation in the program

Program requirements:

• During Fall quarter, Fellows enroll in the complementary, 2-credit course "Leading Organizational Change for Sustainability" (SUSTAIN 120)
• Fellows are expected to work 10 hours per week during the entire academic year: September - June. Some fellows may continue during the Summer as agreed upon by their mentor

FAQ:

How does this program differ from the Sustainable Stanford Internship Program?

As a fellow, you will be part of a prestigious program that entails additional responsibilities and benefits over the course of an academic year, including undertaking coursework, joining a close-knit cohort of other fellows, consulting with a project advisory board, and serving as a project manager.

Additionally, a project under the internship program is intended to support and benefit a specific department or division need, whereas the Fellowship program is intended for more complex projects that benefit and demand collaboration across Stanford’s schools, departments, offices, and initiatives.

Want more info?

• Drop into Winter Quarter virtual office hours (Zoom link will be provided for all upcoming dates)