Students in a boat on the river, collecting samples

KU Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies Program provides students with the tools they need to investigate environmental phenomena, including soil sampling and freshwater ecology to policy-making and social science.



Two students sharing a laptop both smiling as one points to the screen

Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of the program!

Virtual Tour

Alex Murray portrait

"I firmly believe that my experience in a multi-disciplinary undergrad program changed the game for me at KU."


Alex Murray

News from the Program

Young person wearing straw hat and floral shirt, standing in a field looking at camera.

Poet and Professor Megan Kaminski Leads City of Lawrence’s Transit Poet Laureate Program

Megan Kaminski, a poet and professor, will lead the Ride and Write Workshop for Lawrence’s Transit Poet Laureate program on Aug. 30. She aims to inspire participants to connect with their community through poetry while riding an electric bus. Selected poems will be featured on city buses.
Light fog around Potter Lake in spring

University plans summer makeover for Potter Lake

This summer, Potter Lake is getting a makeover for its 113th birthday. A major project will begin in May to dredge the lake, rebuild portions of the original edge wall, and improve the spillway and sediment basin. Part of the work will be to collect turtles, frogs and reptiles and relocate them to a pond in KU’s West District.
Shannon O'Lear, left, and

HLC: Professor, librarian co-teach students to create open access podcast

KU continues efforts for reaffirmation of accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, whose peer review team will visit in 2025. Criterion 3 focuses on teaching and learning, particularly in quality, and level of resources and support. One such example of Criterion 3 in action is Environmental Geopolitics, a class where students learn to communicate their research through podcasting and publishing their work.
Roof of Fraser Hall with KU, U.S. flags on cloudy day

University announces 2024 Truman scholarship nominees

Three outstanding University Honors students have been selected as the KU nominees for Harry S. Truman Scholarships. The prestigious national awards, which provide up to $30,000 for graduate study, are given to college juniors for leadership in public service.