Leadership Team

• Heather Lynch, Ph.D
   

  Directorheather.lynch@stonybrook.edu
• Kevin Reed, Ph.D
   

  Associate Provost for Climate and Sustainability Programmingkevin.reed@stonybrook.edu
• Linda O'Keefe, Ph.D
   

  Interdisciplinary Collaborations Coordinator  linda.okeeffe@stonybrook.edu
• Jennifer Gilday
   

  Program ManagerCollaborative for the Earth/Climate and Sustainability Programming jennifer.gilday@stonybrook.edu
• Kaitlin Giglio
   

  Research OceanographerClimate and Sustainability Programming kaitlin.giglio@stonybrook.edu

 

 

C4E Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Collaborative for the Earth (C4E) do?                                            

C4E’s mission is to generate conversation and collaboration about climate, energy, and environment, and we focus on supporting events and workshops that unite parts of campus that might not otherwise have the opportunity to interact. We organize lectures and roundtable discussions for faculty and students interested in learning the basics of a new subject, engage in workshops to share research where it's divided across multiple units on campus, and sponsor events that bring together environmental science and the fine arts and humanities. C4E is committed to building relationships through experiential education and off-campus field trips such as our 2024 boat trip to the Block Island Wind Farm and our 2025 field trip to Governors Island. Though the coordination of externally funded research is not our primary mandate, our central role as a networking hub for climate and environmental scholarship on campus provides a unique perspective on campus strengths and opportunities. As such, we are also available to assist in the identification and assembly of research teams when funding solicitations require campus-wide coordination. Finally, while we aren't directly responsible for curriculum development, we do support several efforts to expand and coordinate our teaching in these areas, working closely with the Associate Provost for Climate and Sustainability Programming as well as the Deans of relevant Schools/Colleges at SBU.

Is the Collaborative for the Earth the same as the New York Climate Exchange?

No. C4E is a Stony Brook University initiative to encourage connection and collaboration across all parts of Stony Brook University engaged in issues related to the environment, climate, and energy. The New York Climate Exchange (NYCE), on the other hand, is an independent nonprofit organization based on Governors Island that partners with many academic, industry, government, and non-profit partners. Stony Brook University is the anchor institution for the NYCE and one of the goals of C4E is to help Stony Brook faculty connect to opportunities with the NYCE, but C4E serves a broader mission to encourage interdisciplinary environmental research and education at Stony Brook whether that be here on Long Island, on Governors Island, or far beyond.

Are there faculty formerly affiliated with the Collaborative for the Earth?

There is no formal designation of affiliated status, and all Stony Brook faculty, staff, and students are welcome and encouraged to participate in C4E activities and help plan C4E sponsored events. 

Where is the C4E based?

Our offices are in Melville Library E2360. We have space for smaller meetings in a conference room in Melville Library but host larger gatherings across campus depending on availability.

How is the C4E governed?

The collective efforts of the campus community are supported by a Director, an Interdisciplinary Collaborations Coordinator, a Program Manager and a Graduate Education  Program Developer. This team also works closely with the Associate Provost for Climate and Sustainability Programming on educational initiatives and to leverage opportunities provided through the New York Climate Exchange. The C4E team meets monthly with an Advisory Board of 12-15 Stony Brook faculty and campus partners, who provide guidance and feedback on new initiatives, events, and strategic direction, as well as help to identify new opportunities.

How do I get information about C4E?

The easiest way to get involved is to get on our newsletter mailing list by emailing c4e@stonybrook.edu. Our monthly newsletter contains updates on C4E activities, upcoming events, and funding opportunities. We also have several interest groups on more focused topic areas. Currently, our interest groups are 1) offshore wind, 2) environmental justice, 3) coastal systems, 4) climate modelling, 5) climate and public health, 6) AI and climate, and 7) environmental pollution. If you would like to be added to any of these lists, you can email your interests to c4e@stonybrook.edu. The C4E, in collaboration with the School of Communication and Journalism, also produces a podcast called C4E Presents featuring in-depth interviews with Stony Brook faculty and visiting scholars. Podcast interviews can be found on any streaming platform, as well as on the C4E website, and can be heard on WUSB 90.1 FM. A schedule can be found on the radio station’s website. 

How do I get involved?

C4E is entirely community driven; if you have an idea for an event you would like to plan, let us know! You can always get in touch by emailing c4e@stonybrook.edu. We meet monthly for lunch at the Simons Café, so check the newsletter for the dates and come join fellow community members interested in all things climate, energy, and environment for a casual lunch and fun conversation.

Does the C4E fund research?

No, the C4E does not directly fund research. In some cases, the C4E can help provide funding for events or activities that engage the C4E community but our budget is limited and such sponsorship is almost always in partnership with other departments or institutes. C4E is most likely to provide funding for events that align in some way with the annual theme or that will bring together scholars from across campus in ways not easily supported by other university structures. We can, however, write letters of support for applications for external funding where C4E can be used as a means for engaging faculty or students on campus. We can also help connect faculty to relevant funding opportunities or community partners, and we can advocate to the Provost, VPR, and other relevant entities to generate research support for climate research on campus.

How can students engage with C4E?

The C4E hosts numerous events throughout the academic year for undergraduate and graduate students. Past events have included an introductory lecture on nuclear energy technologies, a brown bag lunch discussion on how we deal with nuclear waste, co-sponsoring Science & Cinema screenings, and co-organizing a Lunch & Learn about offshore wind job opportunities, to name just a few. We also reserve about a third of all the seats on our annual field trip for undergraduates and another third for graduate students. We are always interested in ways we can engage with students, so if you have an idea, please let us know!