About the Initiative
The Environmental and Epistemic Justice Initiative at Wake Forest University is a Mellon Foundation funded research and pedagogical project that brings together students, scholars, activists, journalists, and public officials in a multi-pronged effort to imagine, design, and develop a humanistic Science and Technology Studies curriculum that places at its center environmental and epistemic justice in critically examine how and in what ways race and regimes of racial knowledge shape and inform our scholarly practices, public policies, and normative concerns.
“The ultimate goal of this initiative is to cultivate a new generation of students and scholars who understand that a complex knowledge of race and processes of racialization are critical to comprehending and responding to our current environmental crisis.”
“All people are entitled to equal environmental protection regardless of race, color, or national origin. Environmental justice is the right to live and work and play in a clean environment.”
– Robert D. Bullard
Environmental Justice Pioneer and Distinguished Professor at Texas Southern University
Institute
Learn more about our signature environmental justice summer institute
Programs
Learn more about our diverse environmental and epistemic justice programs
People
Learn more about the diverse group of Wake Forest University environmental justice scholars
2024 Mellon Environmental Summit
Register Here | Download Program
2023 Environmental and Epistemic Justice Summer Institute
News
WFU Environmental Justice Summit brings key issues to forefront
April 17, 2024
“Wake Forest University is preparing to welcome several national, state and local experts to campus for the 2024 Mellon Environmental and Epistemic Justice Summit. The full-day program will take place on April 24 from 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at the Broyhill Auditorium in Farrell Hall. The free event is open to the public.”
Inside Gary’s battle over a planned pollutant waste plant
March 12, 2024
“A school and a controversial waste facility project stand on opposite sides of a narrow road. The city of Gary, community members, and students rallied against it. What will happen next?”
Long-term impact of fertilizer plant fire raises concerns in Winston-Salem
March 1, 2024
“Two years after a near-catastrophic event, residents of the Piney Grove community have more questions than answers.”
Amid LNG’s Gulf Coast expansion, community hopes to stand in its way
January 24, 2024
“People don’t know what we’d do without oil and gas. It comes at a big price.”
LNG production comes with a price, Gulf Coast communities warn
January 24, 2024
US takes the global lead on liquid natural gas production and export, as economic promises and environmental worries collide.
$5M gift from the Andrew Sabin Family Foundation advances environment and sustainability efforts
Wake Forest’s Center for the Environment, Energy and Sustainability (CEES) will become the Andrew Sabin Family Center for Environment and Sustainability. The $5 million gift will support research, education and outreach through collaboration within the University and with partners around the globe.
Fertilizer Plant Fires Serves as Catalyst for Wake Forest Institute
July 21, 2023
On June 27, 2023, BREDL Community Organizer Jason Torian, and Piney Grove League for Change member, Sabrina Webster attended day two of The WFU Environmental and Epistemic Justice Institute.
Summer Institute to focus on environmental justice reporting
June 12, 2023
Wake Forest University will host its first Summer Institute dedicated to advancing environmental justice reporting in the southeast from June 26-30.
Mellon Foundation awards WFU $1M for environmental justice project
by Kim McGrath
January 11, 2023
The Mellon Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to Wake Forest University to create a model program for engaging scholars and the local community in advancing environmental justice.
Follow us on Twitter | @WFUEEJI
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SAVE THE DATE!!! The @WFUEEJI 2024 Environmental and Epistemic Justice Summit “Headlines and Footnotes: Environmental Justice in an Age of Planetary Crisis” – 9am-6:30pm on the campus of @WakeForest in @CityofWS | Free and open to the public. Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/headlines-footnotes-environmental-justice-in-an-age-of-planetary-crisis-tickets-873559017537
CRITICAL story by @WFUEEJI 2023 Summer Institute Journalism Fellow @J_theJourn on the struggle for environmental justice in Gary, Indiana. @WakeForest @WFUAfAmStudies @MellonFdn
From permits to protests, Gary has been in a long battle over a waste-recycling plant Maya Energy wants to build across the street from a school. So, what happens next? (With @WFUEEJI)
This year’s Mellon Environmental Justice Lecture will feature @CarltonWJD, an international expert on environmental law, environmental justice, reparations, and redress for historic injustices. Thank you to the @MellonFdn, @WFUSabinCenter and our WFU community.
Join us this Thursday, February 8 for Action Builds Hope: Reflections on COP28 UAE, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice. Conversation starts at 4pm, with a reception to follow. 🌱
ON THE SWAMP won’t be out until April, but you can still take advantage of @UNC_Press’s extended holiday sale to pre-order my book at 30% off. The sale applies to all of their titles!
#Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice