The Environmental Sciences and Studies (ENVS) concentration at Brown University is built for curious, motivated students who want to shape solutions for our changing planet. Our program combines flexibility, a strong sense of community, and a defining commitment to engaged scholarship.
Institute at Brown for Environment and Society
5 Hallmarks of ENVS
Where passion meets purpose
5 Hallmarks of ENVS
Where passion meets purpose
#1 Engaged scholarship: learning by doing
What is engaged scholarship?
Engaged scholarship is a hands-on approach to education where students learn by working directly with communities, agencies, and nonprofits to tackle real environmental challenges. It builds practical skills, fosters meaningful partnerships, and creates lasting impact at local, national, and global levels.
Examples include:
- Environmental Health: Partnering with the RI Department of Health to improve heat-wave resilience and reduce children’s exposure to pollutants.
- Conservation: Working with The Nature Conservancy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore habitats and protect biodiversity.
- Environmental Governance: Supporting UN delegations in designing equitable climate adaptation frameworks.
Through specific courses (ENVS 0110, ENVS 1555, and ENVS 1574), research opportunities, and internships, students contribute meaningfully to communities in Rhode Island and around the world. Additionally, those who wish to deepen this commitment may pursue the Engaged Scholarship Certificate offered through the Swearer Center.
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Raquel Douglas in the Department of Sociology participated in an Afro-Indigenous Permaculture Training program in Jamaica and began her dissertation fieldwork in North Carolina. "This training deepened my interest in growing food and introduced me to how Black communal land stewardship projects are adapting to climate change," Douglas said. Her fieldwork, which included hands-on farm work and informal interviews, allowed her to better understand the values that shape Black farmers' approaches to sustainability and community engagement.
#2 Empowering students to chart their own course
The flexible ENSVS curriculum offers two degree options (AB or ScB) and draws from both the sciences and the humanities, encouraging students to think across disciplines, ask bold questions, and pursue the issues they care most about.
#3 A culture of support
With guidance from faculty, peer advisors, and dedicated staff, every student is supported in building a course of study—and a vision for the future—that reflects their unique goals and strengths.
| Resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Capstone/Thesis Advisor | for senior project guidance |
| Academic Program Manager | for logistical support |
| Peer Advisors | with firsthand experience, advice, and mentorship |
| Student Hub & Weekly Bulletin | with curated job opportunities, events and more |
| ENVS Seminar Series | highlights scholars and activists in the field |
| Concentration Advisor | to help map your academic path |
| Community-building events | including craft fairs and ice cream socials |
#4 Career preparation for what’s next
ENVS students can master skills that directly translate to their post-graduate endeavors, including:
- Policy analysis
- Hands-on lab work in biology, earth science, chemistry, and more
- Community-focused research
- Geospatial data collection and mapping
- Science writing
Where can an ENVS degree take you? In addition to pursuing master’s and Ph.D. programs around the world, recent alumni work in:
- Climate, environmental, and policy consulting
- Education
- Environmental, public interest, and civil rights law
- Public health and medicine
- Local, state, and federal government
- Private-sector ventures from environmental remediation to renewable energy
- Science journalism
- Transportation and utilities
#5 A lifelong network
With over 100 current concentrators, a vibrant Alumni & Friends network, and dedicated faculty, ENVS offers more than a degree—it connects you to a lifelong community of environmental thinkers, doers, and leaders.
Engage with IBES
Discover meaningful ways for environmentally focused Brunonians to build connections, support Brown students, and stay up to date on IBES’ latest developments.