International Development, Environment, and Sustainability

The International Development, Environment, and Sustainability (IDEaS) program encourages students to challenge convention while giving them the tools and support they need to examine, tackle, and ultimately solve the world’s most urgent environmental, social, and technological crises.
Because these problems touch upon people, nature, planetary systems, and technologies, it’s imperative that their solutions are just as comprehensive and all-encompassing, utilizing scientific and engineering approaches informed by social sciences, humanities, and arts.
In keeping with this goal, the IDEaS program offers a major and minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ESS), where students learn to strike a balance between improving quality of life and honoring humankind’s responsibility to natural resources. Students may select ESS as a stand-alone major, or pair it with another degree program ranging from chemical engineering and biology to chemistry and civil engineering. In addition, the new minor in Science and Engineering for International Development allows students to examine social and societal challenges from a multidisciplinary lens.
As part of the IDEaS program, students become proficient engineers and scientists who are skilled in the complexities of human nature.

Bettering the Environment
Faculty and students unite in their drive to better the environment. WPI’s hands-on projects deliver practical experience in areas such as sustainability studies, environmental justice, environmental sciences, and environmental politics.

Working Together for Change
The collaborative environment in WPI’s Social Science & Policy Studies Department allows students and faculty to work closely to understand a human world where technology is growing at a rapid rate.
Worcester Project Center
Professor Rob Krueger is the founding director of the Worcester Project Center. Learn how that initiative launched a local move toward sustainable development.
most innovative schools
U.S. News & World Report (2023)
of students are eligible for a Global Scholarship to complete life-changing project work
global project centers on six continents
Critical Urban Moments
Read Professor Robert Krueger’s blog, Critical Urban Moments for reflective and thoughtful comments on issues ranging from urban design to sustainability to climate change.
Career Possibilities
A degree in Environmental & Sustainability Studies opens career possibilities in diverse and growing fields such as academia, government, legal, or environmental.