The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies is confronting global environmental challenges through imaginative research that transcends disciplinary boundaries, hands-on education that bridges classrooms and communities, and public programs that foster environmental conversations among people from business, government, academia, and advocacy.
Training Tomorrow's Environmental Leaders
The Nelson Institute values and is committed to a liberal arts and professional education, built on the premise that complex environmental issues can best be understood through familiarity with diverse perspectives, and integration of the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Research That's Changing the World
Research drives the social and technological innovation needed to confront the challenges of a rapidly changing global environment. The Nelson Institute is a catalyst of imaginative research that combines skills and knowledge from the humanities, engineering, business, and law to the biological, physical, health, and social sciences.
We Embrace Diversity
The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies embraces the critical importance of diversity and strives for a community that is supportive, welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all individuals. Just as our environmental research, education, and service value a wide range of perspectives, our Nelson community is strengthened by the inclusion of historically marginalized people with a diversity of lived experiences and identities. We are deeply committed to working toward a sustainable future and facilitating culturally sensitive approaches to global environmental issues.
Nelson News and Events
Latest News
UW–Madison launches Sustainability Research Hub
March 14, 2024From Lab Work to Land Management
March 13, 2024Cultivating Connections
March 11, 2024Writing Science for the Public — In Action
March 4, 2024Meet Wisconsin’s New Assistant State Climatologist
February 26, 2024- Read More News
Upcoming Events
- March
- March 31
- April
- April 1Polymer Electrolytes for Next Generation Li Metal BatteriesSustainable Energy Seminar Series: Whitney Loo, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering3:30 PM, 1115 Wisconsin Energy Institute
Also offered online - April 2Climate, People, and the Environment Program SeminarHow Groundwater Impacts the People and Ecosystems of the South Pacific Islands1:00 PM, AB20, Weeks Hall for Geological Sciences
- April 4Weston RoundtableThe Making of Environmental Law: The Challenges of Climate Change and Environmental Justice4:15 PM, 1163 Mechanical Engineering Building
- April 5
Support the Nelson Institute
The Nelson Institute welcomes and is grateful for various forms of support – discretionary funds for our many programs, internships and mentoring opportunities for students, and introductions to new networks that can help advance our reach and build partnerships around Wisconsin and the world.