19552 GW Mag 26_Final_singles - Flipbook - Page 40
Impact &
Engagement:
In Brief
With support from the Alfred P.
Sloan Foundation, GW hosted the
Interdisciplinary Conference on
Critical Minerals and Metals.
SLOAN FOUNDATION
SUPPORTS FACULTY
RESEARCH
John Barth
ENDOWED DEMOCRACY
INNOVATION PRIZE
CREATED
THE SMPA DEMOCRACY INNOVATION
Prize, an endowed annual competition
recognizing student projects that
promote democracy and build public
engagement, was established through
a generous gift from John Barth, a
veteran journalist and member of
SMPA’s National Council. The award
is designed to encourage practical
student-led solutions to today’s
democratic challenges.
Modeled after business plan
competitions, the prize will challenge
students to develop innovative
approaches to issues such as voter
participation, trust in local media,
civic engagement and civil discourse.
SMPA Director Peter Loge said he
hopes the competition will attract
students from across GW and inspire
broader national interest in democratic
innovation. The first challenge will be
announced this fall, with the inaugural
competition launching at the start of
the 2026–27 academic year.
40 | www.columbian.gwu.edu
THE ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION
recently awarded funding to scholars
involved in interdisciplinary social
science research to better understand
the role of critical minerals and
metals in the shift from fossil fuels
to renewable energy.
The grant supports Assistant
Research Professor of Geography and
Environment Scott Odell’s ongoing
collaboration with Robert Orttung,
professor of sustainability and
international affairs at GW, and Lydia
Jennings, assistant professor of
environmental studies at Dartmouth
College, to investigate the social and
environmental impacts of mining on
communities—including Indigenous
populations—in Arizona, Utah
and Alaska.
Thanks to additional support
from the Sloan Foundation, GW
hosted a conference to bring together
scholars, government representatives,
industry professionals and community
organizers from across the country
who share unique expertise related
to critical minerals and metals. The
gathering provided an opportunity for
the researchers to share and receive
feedback on preliminary results, and
for all participants to engage with
peers across sectors to improve policy,
practice and analysis of emerging
critical minerals and metals issues.
CROWDFUNDING BOLSTERS PARTICIPATION
IN PHYSICS CONGRESS
EVERY THREE YEARS, SIGMA PI SIGMA
(SPS), the national physics honor society,
hosts a gathering for the most dedicated
young physicists across America: The
Physics and Astronomy Congress. Last
fall, a dozen CCAS physics undergraduate
students attended this special event—
all thanks to donor support.
The Physics Department organized
a crowdfunding effort, which resulted in
$9,000 from alumni, faculty and friends.
These funds enabled students to present
their research, collaborate with other
GW Physics’ alumni, faculty and students at
the Physics and Astronomy Congress.
SPS chapter representatives and mingle
with both peers and accomplished
scholars, including Nobel laureates. The
students also attended physicist-led
tours of an experimental mine field
site, an astronomy observatory, a
NASA research facility and a physics
lab specializing in lasers.
