Zero waste and true circularity are important efforts on higher education campuses that college students care more and more about. However, very few campuses are meeting the mark, and research plays an important role in comparing progress between institutions across the world. Learn from two leading experts about what these two concepts look like in practice, and what their research has found in these areas.
Ashpreet Kaur presents on: “Toward a better understanding of Zero-Waste program success on campus“
Ashpreet Kaur is a final year Ph.D. student at University of Florida. She did her Master’s in Environmental Science from India in 2018 and came to the US to learn about better waste management. She has been researching in the field of ZW for the past 5 years and has worked on various projects in the same realm. She is a certified Zero Waste Expert and waste management expert. She will be talking about her research on ZW programs in higher education institutions.
Kelsie Imus presents on: “Circular Business Models: Research, Stakeholders, and Action“
In this presentation, students will learn about the basics of university research, circular business models, and how circularity can be driven at a university level through identifying stakeholders. More in depth we will explore:
1) The value and practical steps to begin University-driven research
2) An overview of the sliding scale of circularity, six different circular business models, and an example of a successful circular organization
3) An overview of my research findings thus far and different levers of change based on organizational types
4) How to drive circularity at a University level through identifying stakeholders and resources to get started
Kelsie Imus is a young professional born in Michigan, currently working remotely full-time as a Circular Business Model Research Assistant at the University of Michigan (U-M). She graduated in August 2022 from U-M with a Bachelors in Organizational Theory and Environmental Studies with minors in Business and Spanish. During college, she was involved with creating a professional sustainability fraternity, business & DEI research, supporting social impact entrepreneurial projects, playing ultimate frisbee, and learning how to navigate on a scooter when she broke her ankle (which has since healed). She has many interests in agriculture, circularity, sustainable supply chains, and exploring how to create more local economies.
