Join the PhD program at University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy and work with field-leading climate researchers at the Center for Global Sustainability
Climate change is unarguably one of the major challenges facing the world today. The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy (SPP) provides leading-edge research that advances understanding and shapes policymaking at the local, national, and global levels, focusing on issues related to capping global temperature rise, limiting greenhouse gas emissions, fostering the transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner sources of energy, and establishing just environmental practices.
CGS is made up of several programs which examine specific areas of climate policy and research such as methane mitigation or the clean energy transition, and focus on U.S. and other regions around the world, including China, Indonesia, Brazil, India, and more. CGS faculty also work closely with U.S. government climate research agencies such as the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a division of the U.S. Department of Energy.
CGS researchers are recognized globally, working with peer academic institutions, climate policy organizations, and government officials in the United State and beyond. SPP doctoral students focusing on climate policy research will have the opportunity to work closely with CGS researchers since all PhD candidates are expected during their classroom years to conduct research collaboratively with faculty members and then, during their dissertation years, to conduct research independently with faculty advice.
Admission to the PhD program at the School of Public Policy is highly competitive for both full-time and part-time students, especially those seeking tuition funding. Read more about the PhD admissions process here.
Learn more about the Center for Global Sustainability’s mission, faculty and research.