research topics related to environmental science

Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

100+ Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

• Ecology /ecological science
• Atmospheric science
• Oceanography
• Soil science
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental economics
• Environmental ethics
• Examples  of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

• The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
• The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
• Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
• The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
• The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
• The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
• The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
• The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
• The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

• The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
• The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
• The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
• Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
• The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
• The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
• The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
• The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
• The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

• The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
• The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
• The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
• Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
• The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
• The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
• The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
• The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
• The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
• The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

• The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
• The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
• The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
• Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
• The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
• The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
• The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
• The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
• The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Topics & Ideas: Geology

• The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
• The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
• The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
• Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
• The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
• The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
• The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
• The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
• The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
• The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

• The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
• The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
• The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
• Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
• The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
• The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
• The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
• The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
• The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
• The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

• The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
• The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
• The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
• Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
• The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
• The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
• The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
• The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
• The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
• The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

• The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
• The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
• The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
• Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
• The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
• The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
• The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
• The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
• The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
• The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

• The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
• The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
• The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
• Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
• The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
• The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
• The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
• The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
• The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
• The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
• The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
• Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
• Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
• Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
• Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
• The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
• Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
• Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
• Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
• A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
• Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
• Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
• Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your environmental science dissertation or research project, be sure to check out our private coaching services below, as well as our Research Topic Kickstarter .

Need a helping hand?

You Might Also Like:

research topics on climate change and environment

I wish to learn things in a more advanced but simple way and with the hopes that I am in the right place.

Thank so much for the research topics. It really helped

the guides were really helpful

Research topics on environmental geology

Thanks for the research topics….I need a research topic on Geography

I want the research on environmental planning and management

I want a topic on environmental sustainability

It good coaching

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

• Research Paper Guides
• Research Paper Topics

Environmental Research Topics: 235 Ideas for Students

• Speech Topics
• Basics of Essay Writing
• Essay Topics
• Other Essays
• Main Academic Essays
• Basics of Research Paper Writing
• Miscellaneous
• Chicago/ Turabian
• Data & Statistics
• Methodology
• Admission Writing Tips
• Admission Advice
• Other Guides
• Student Life
• Studying Tips
• Understanding Plagiarism
• Academic Writing Tips
• Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

• Essay Guides
• Formatting Guides
• Basics of Research Process
• Admission Guides
• Dissertation & Thesis Guides

Table of contents

Use our free Readability checker

Are you looking for environmental research paper topics? With ongoing debates about global warming, air pollution, and other issues, there is no shortage of exciting topics to craft a research paper around. Whether you’re studying ecology, geology, or marine biology, developing the perfect environmental research topic to get your science research assignment off the ground can be challenging. Stop worrying – we got you covered. Continue reading to learn about 235 different ideas on environmental research topics. In this article, we will discuss environmental topics and show you how to choose an interesting research topic for your subject. We will also provide a list of various environmental topics from our research paper services . In addition, we will present you with environmental science research topics, discuss other ideas about the environment for research papers, and offer our final thoughts on these topics for research papers.

What Are Environmental Topics?

Environmental topics provide an analysis of environmental issues and their effect on people, culture, nature, or a particular place, often interdisciplinary, drawing from sciences, politics, economics, sociology, and public policy. Topics about environmental science may include environmental justice, engineering and communication, regulation, economics, and health. Environment research topics may focus on environmental sustainability, impact assessment, management systems, and resources. In addition, these areas for research papers offer a few opportunities to explore our relationship with the environment and consider how human activities influence it through climate change, pollution, or other factors such as natural resource usage as well as biodiversity loss.

What Makes a Good Environmental Research Topic? 

When choosing an environmental research topic, it is essential to consider what makes good environmental topics. Below is an expert list outlining what your topic should be like:

• It should be interesting and relevant to your study field.
• It's essential to consider the topic's potential implications on environment-related policies. Think about the possible positive or negative effects this topic could have when implemented in terms of protecting our environment.
• A good topic should be specific enough to provide a focus for your research paper and allow you to explore a particular issue in depth.
• The research topic should be feasible and manageable to ensure that you can find the necessary information and resources.
• Environmental sciences research topics should be current and relevant to ecological developments.

How to Choose Environmental Science Topics?

When choosing research topics for environmental science, it is essential to research the available information and determine its relevance. It all depends on whether the research topic is feasible and has the potential for exploration. Environmental issue topics should be well-defined and interesting to the researcher. The reason is that the researcher should be able to provide solutions or make suggestions on improvement strategies. You can follow the below steps when choosing environmental science topics for research:

Step 1: Identify topics that are relevant to your research context. Step 2: Develop a list of research areas by extracting critical concepts from the available literature.

Step 3: Select interesting and feasible topics by considering the methods available for analysis.

Step 4: Analyze these topics to identify the gaps in current research and formulate questions for further investigation. Step 5: Review the available literature to gain insights about the chosen topic and develop a research proposal.

Step 6: Consult experts in this field to get feedback and refine the proposed research.

Don’t have time for writing your environmental research paper? Count on StudyCrumb. Send us a ‘ write a research paper for me ’ message and get professional assistance in a timely manner. 

List of Environment Research Paper Topics

Environmental topics for a research paper can be overwhelming to navigate due to the vast number of issues you can discuss in your article. To help narrow down your research paper search, below is a list of environmental research topics that include climate change, renewable energy, ecology, pollution, sustainability, endangered species, ecosystems, nature, and water management. You can choose one of them as a guide to writing an excellent essay

Environmental Research Topics on Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues that humanity is currently facing due to increased temperature levels. Climate change is amongst the most debated environmental research topics among researchers, policymakers, and governments. Here are critical areas related to climate change that you can use for your environmental science research paper topics:

• Causes and effects of climate change.
• Climate change adaptation strategies.
• Climate change impact on rural communities.
• Role of renewable energy sources in mitigating climate change.
• Carbon dioxide emission policies.
• Global warming and its impact on ocean acidification.
• Social effects of climate change.
• Permafrost melting and its implications.
• Role of international organizations in climate change.
• Climate change and forest fire: examining the role of climate change on wildfire season, frequency, and burned area.

Environmental Science Research Topics on Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is essential due to its potential to reduce ecological damage from burning fossil fuels and provides valuable topics in environmental science. You can use renewable energy technologies as a cleaner alternative for generating electricity and heating. In addition, renewable energy is crucial for cooling homes and factories in the world. The following are environmental science topics for research paper on renewable energy:

• Renewable energy types, sources, and their impact on the environment.
• Economic benefits of renewable energy.
• Research on new technologies in renewable energy.
• Role of renewable energy in protecting businesses from legal actions.
• Hydropower and its role in renewable energy.
• Chemical batteries for renewable energy storage.
• Green microgrids in optimizing renewable energy usage.
• Ocean energy and its effects on the environment.
• Geothermal drilling and its consequences.
• Biomass resources and their use in renewable energy.

Environment Research Topics on Ecology

Ecology studies how living organisms interact with each other and their environment. Also, it is an important area of research for understanding how the environment affects the function of various species and ecosystems. It also gives a background for one of the best environment research paper topics. Below are topics for environmental research paper on ecology:

• Biodiversity conservation strategies.
• Impact of pollution on ecosystems.
• Ecological research on saving endangered species from extinction.
• Role of environment in migrations patterns of animals.
• Habitat fragmentation effects on the environment.
• Ecological implications of climate change.
• Ecology and pest control strategies.
• Ecological effects of deforestation.
• Ecology and conservation of marine life.
• Ecological consequences of urbanization.

Research Topics in Environmental Science About Pollution

Pollution is an issue at the forefront of scientific research. As one of the environmental science paper topics, it offers insights into how pollution destroys the environment and its negative impact on human and animal health. Stated below are hot environmental science research topics on pollution which you can use for your article:

• Air pollution: causes & effects.
• Water pollution and its consequences for people and other living organisms.
• Issue of urban & industrial pollution.
• Noise pollution and environment-related health risks.
• Marine plastic pollution in oceans.
• Radiological waste disposal policies.
• Nuclear energy, radiation & health impacts.
• Sustainable waste management solutions.
• Impact of pollution on biodiversity.
• Soil pollution and its effects on agriculture.

Environmental Topics for Research Papers on Sustainability

One of the many topics for environmental research papers is sustainability. Sustainability is an important topic to explore, as it involves finding a way for humans to reduce their ecological footprint and ensure that the environment can recover from our activities. Stated below are environmental topics for research paper on sustainability which you can explore:

• Strategies for sustainable development.
• Renewable energy sources and their effects.
• Environmental sustainability and its economic benefits.
• Sustainable energy sources and their effects.
• Implications of sustainable agriculture on the environment.
• Ecological impacts of sustainable forestry.
• Social implications of renewable energy use.
• Strategies for mitigating ecological impact from unsustainable development.
• Psychological effects of ecological awareness on sustainable practices.
• Influence of ecological sustainability on economic growth.

Environmental Topics to Write About Endangered Species

Endangered species are one of the environmental topics of great importance to research and find solutions for their conservation. Poaching, habitat destruction, and climate change negatively impact endangered species. Also, human activities have put other species at risk of extinction by competing for resources as well as introducing invasive species. Below is a list of cool environment topics to write about endangered species:

• Endangered species conservation.
• Causes & effects of habitat fragmentation.
• Wildlife conservation strategies.
• Climate change impacts on endangered species.
• Illegal wildlife trade and trafficking.
• Marine protected areas for conserving marine life.
• Ecological restoration and reintroduction programs.
• Endangered species in developing nations.
• Human rights & animal welfare laws .
• Captive breeding for conservation purposes.

Environmental Research Paper Topics on Ecosystems

Ecosystems are fascinating to explore in environmental paper topics because they contain a variety of living organisms and are a complex web of interactions between species, the environment, and humans. The subject provides environmental issues topics for research paper essential in exploring the dynamics of ecosystems and their importance. Below is a list of topics for environmental science research paper:

• Ecosystem services & their value.
• Climate change impacts on ecosystems.
• Hydrological cycle & effects on ecosystems.
• Ecological restoration & biodiversity conservation.
• Invasive species & their impact on native species.
• Biodiversity hotspots: areas of high endemism.
• Soil degradation & its impact on ecosystems.
• Sustainable forestry practices.
• Ecological restoration of wetlands.

Environmental Topics About Nature

Nature is a broad topic that includes ecological conservation, protection, and sustainability issues. Environmental research topics about nature allow us to explore areas that focus on preserving and conserving the environment. Research papers about nature can provide insight into utilizing nature as a resource, both from a practical and ecological aspect. Below is a list of environment topics that you can explore in your essays:

• Nature conservation & preservation strategies.
• Climate change effects on natural environments.
• Natural resource management strategies.
• Policies for natural resources management.
• Impact of human development on wildlands.
• Sustainable use of natural resources.
• Role of ethics in nature conservation.
• De-extinction: pros & cons of bringing back extinct species.
• Protected areas & conservation of rare species.

Environmental Issues Topics on Water Management

Water management is an issue that has a significant impact on the environment. Exploring a topic related to water management can provide experts, among others, with insights into environmental science issues and their implications. When it's time to write your project related to water management, you can explore the following topics for environmental issues:

• Water pollution & its control.
• Groundwater management strategies.
• Climate change impact on water resources.
• Integrated water resources management.
• Wetland conservation & restoration projects.
• Industrial effluents role in water pollution.
• Desalination technologies for freshwater production.
• Urbanization impact on groundwater resources.
• Inland & coastal water management strategies.
• Wastewater treatment & reuse technologies.

Environmental Science Topics in Different Areas

Environmental science studies ecological processes and their interactions with living organisms. Exploring environmental science related topics can provide valuable insights into environmental science issues, their ecological implications, and conservation efforts. In addition, these topics can also be explored in different areas, providing a comprehensive understanding of how different factors impact the environment. This section delves into various environmental science topics for projects related to law, justice, policy, economics, biology, chemistry, and health science.

Environmental Law Research Topics

Environmental law governs environmental processes and their interactions with living organisms. Delving into environmental law can uncover invaluable information on environment paper topics, ranging from legal matters and their consequences to preservation initiatives. Students can use the following environmental issue topics for research papers for their essays:

• Climate change liability & lawsuits.
• Strategies for conservation and protection under environmental law.
• Consequences of non-compliance with regulations on the environment.
• Impact of trade agreements on environment protection.
• Regulatory strategies for hazardous waste disposal.
• Strategies for enforcement and compliance with environment-related laws.
• International environment treaties and their implications.
• Effects of climate change legislation on the environment.
• Corporate environmental policies and regulations and their effects.
• Role of law in mitigating environment-related issues.

Environmental Justice Research Topics

Environmental justice seeks to ensure equitable treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in ecological protection, regardless of their race, sex, or economic status. Environment topics related to justice can provide valuable insights into ecological issues and their impacts. Listed below are justice-related Environmental topics to research:

• Implications of unequal access to resources.
• Disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.
• Consequences of marginalization of marginalized communities from environmental processes.
• Links between poverty and environment degradation.
• Effects of non-participation in environment-related decision-making.
• Policies to ensure access to clean air and water.
• Impact of social inequality on environment protection.
• Intersection between gender, race, and environment justice.
• Ecological consequences of corporate negligence of marginalized communities.
• Disproportionate implications of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Environmental Policy Research Paper Topics

Environmental policy is a set of laws, rules, and regulations created to protect the environment as well as its resources. Studying environment-related policies provides an area for students to explore a range of subjects related to the environment, ranging from local to global. Below are potential environmental sciences research topics for your reference.

• Environmental policy initiatives' implications on global climate change.
• Effectiveness of carbon taxes for air pollution control.
• Land use and development impact on the environment.
• Water quality in the united states, focusing on natural resource governance.
• Educational initiative's impact on public opinion and policy outcomes.
• Social aspects of policy making and implementation on the environment.
• Promoting sustainability from a global perspective.
• Potential for justice initiatives in promoting equitable and effective management.
• Rise of green economy its impact.
• Environment policies and their potential for success.

Environmental Economics Research Topics

Environmental economics seeks to understand environmental issues from an economic perspective. Examining environmental studies topics can offer insights into ecological conservation and sustainability while connecting protection efforts with economic interests and helping inform policies. The following are creative topics about environmental science related to economics:

• Economic impacts of regulating the environment.
• Strategies for environmentally sustainable economic growth.
• Consequences of non-compliance with environment-related regulations.
• Environment conservation and protection using economic incentives.
• Taxes and subsidies and their implications on the environment.
• Economic implications of climate change legislation.
• The private sector role in environment conservation and protection.
• Green finance role in mitigating ecological issues.
• Economics of pollution control and management.
• Conservation and protection of the environment in the face of economic interests.

>> Learn more: Economics Research Topics

Environmental Biology Research Topics

Environmental biology is a field of science that focuses on understanding the interactions between living organisms and their environment. It covers environmental biology topics such as biodiversity, conservation, pollution, management, health, and sustainability. The following are environment research paper topics related to biology:

• Biodiversity conservation in managing the environment.
• Role of biotechnology in reducing air pollution.
• Environment degradation and its consequences on wildlife.
• Role of microorganisms in maintaining soil fertility.
• Ecological consequences of over-exploitation of natural resources.
• Habitat fragmentation and its role in species conservation.
• Education's role in environment conservation.
• Environment degradation and its effects on food security.
• Invasive species and their impacts on ecosystem.

Keep in mind that we have a whole blog on biological topics if you need more ideas in this field.

Environmental Chemistry Research Topics

Environmental chemistry research is a complex interdisciplinary field aiming to understand the behavior of a chemical process within an environment. It involves researching the impact of pollutants in the air, soil, water, and other ecological media. Possible research topics about the environment related to this field include:

• Effect of agricultural chemicals on water systems.
• Air pollution control strategies and their effectiveness.
• Climate change impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
• Sources and implications of persistent organic pollutants.
• Air quality monitoring for urban areas.
• Water quality monitoring in coastal areas.
• Characterization and fate of toxic compounds in soil and groundwater.
• Impact of hazardous chemical waste on the environment.
• Monitoring and remediation of contaminated sites.
• The roles of environmental chemistry in climate change research.

Need more ideas? There is one more blog with  chemistry research topics  on our platform.

Environmental Health Science Research Topics

Environmental health is a diverse field focusing on the natural environment as well as its effects on human health. It is an interdisciplinary field that offers environment topics for research, such as environmental epidemiology, toxicology, and ecology, in addition to risk assessment. Provided below is a list of topics for an environmental science project that is suitable for your research paper:

• Air pollution effects on human health.
• Climate change effects on health.
• Water pollution and public health.
• Noise pollution effects on well-being.
• Mental health effects of environment-related toxins.
• Human health effects of natural disasters.
• Urbanization's effect on human health.
• Sustainable development and public health.
• Role of social media in promoting environmental health and awareness.
• Biodiversity preservation and its impact on human health.

Other Ideas & Topics About Environment for Research Papers

Ecological crisis is a key issue that has continuously affected planet earth. People are becoming more aware of environmental problems as well as their impact on health, well-being, and quality of life. As such, ecological fields for research are becoming ever more critical. This section will explore interesting environmental topics related to current ecological issues, controversial, interesting topics, easy research questions for projects, as well as unique research areas which students might study. These environmental issue project ideas below will help you develop interesting fields for research papers.

Current Issues in Environmental Science

Current ecological issues are a hot topic that has become increasingly important. They provide outstanding environmental issues to write about due to their impact on the environment and human health. The following are environmental issue topics for paper writing that are currently in discussion:

• Global warming and how to prevent its impact.
• Sustainable energy and its role in protecting the environment.
• Water conservation practices.
• Renewable energy role in global ecological protection.
• Carbon footprint and climate change.
• Ozone layer depletion and its effects on human health.
• Plastic pollution and its impact.
• Land degradation and soil erosion.
• Energy industry activities effects on ecological health.
• Air pollution and its impact on human health.
• Deforestation and its consequences.
• Effect of agricultural practices on ecological health.
• Overuse and exploitation of natural resources.
• Industrial waste impact on health.
• Green technology role in ecological protection.

Controversial Environmental Topics for Research Paper

Environmental controversies constitute a significant challenge facing society today. From climate change to air and water pollution, the effects of human activity on our natural environment are increasingly becoming a focus of public debate and research. Research papers on environmental controversial topics can help inform the public as well as policymakers about the potential impacts of human activities on the environment. The following are examples of environmental controversy topics for research paper:

• Climate change: is human activity a primary cause of global warming.
• Deforestation: are current logging practices sustainable in the long term.
• Air pollution: what are the health impacts of air pollution.
• Water pollution: how is water pollution impacting biodiversity and ecosystems.
• Geothermal energy: what potential impacts does geothermal energy extraction have on the environment.
• Renewable energy: are wind and solar energy carbon-neutral.
• Arctic drilling: is drilling for oil in the arctic ocean a viable option given current climate conditions.
• Nuclear power: what health risks are associated with nuclear power plants.
• Biodiversity loss: what steps can you take to protect biodiversity from human activities.
• Endangered species: how protecting endangered species can impact conservation efforts and how they live.
• GMO foods: are genetically modified organisms safe for human consumption? how does GMO food affect humans.
• Pesticides: how does pesticide use affect our health and the environment.
• Ocean acidification: how is ocean acidification impacting marine ecosystems.
• Waste management: what are the most effective ways to manage waste and reduce pollution.
• Resource exploitation: how does the exploitation of natural resources impact local communities.

Interesting Environmental Research Topics

In the context of environmental subjects, research topics explore the effects of human activities on the environment as well as the potential solutions to the identified problems. In addition to providing insight into ecological protection and conservation, research areas in this category cover social issues related to environmentalism and ecological justice. Below are interesting environmental science topics to consider when looking for a research topic in the future:

• Effects of environment-related toxins on human health.
• Climate change effects on coastal habitats.
• Agricultural activities impacts on the environment.
• Groundwater contamination and its effects on water quality.
• Pollution from factories and its impact on the environment.
• Waste management strategies and their impacts.
• Consequences of water contamination on local wildlife.
• Impacts of mining.
• Deforestation effects on ecosystems and species diversity.
• Industrial fishing practices effects.
• Sustainable forestry practices and their impact on ecosystems.
• Nuclear energy production and its consequences.
• Reducing emissions from vehicles and their effects on air quality.
• Landfills implications on the environment.
• Implications of plastic pollution.

Easy Environmental Research Questions for Projects

When it comes to environmental science topics for project work, there are plenty of easy options. Research projects in this category can explore ecological issues as well as their consequences or potential solutions to these problems. The following is a list of the top fifteen most accessible environment project topics for your research project.

• Air pollution levels impact on urban areas.
• Agricultural practices effects on the environment.
• Developing strategies for sustainable development.
• Causes of water contamination.
• Factors contributing to global warming.
• Natural disasters effects on the environment.
• Land use changes effects on the environment.
• Energy consumption impacts on the environment.
• Climate change effects on the environment.
• Industrialization and its consequences.
• Impact of plastic pollution.
• Health risks associated with air pollution.
• Deforestation impacts on the environment.
• Soil erosion and its effects on the environment.
• Causes and consequences of species extinction.

Unique Environmental Research Topics for Students

As environmental issues become increasingly complex, research fields for students become more varied. Unique environmental research topics for college students can range from local ecological concerns to global ones. The following are fifteen unique environmental science research topics for high school students and college students:

• Climate change impact on water quality.
• Acid rain and its effects.
• Urbanization's effect on biodiversity.
• Effects of offshore drilling.
• Ocean acidification and its impact.
• Impact of privatization on natural resources.
• Effectiveness of renewable energy sources.
• Relationship between energy consumption and the environment.
• Potential impacts regarding genetic engineering on biodiversity.
• Toxic waste disposal and its impacts.
• Environment-related policies impact on water quality.
• Deforestation and its effects on soil quality.
• Causes and consequences of ozone layer depletion.
• Relationship between pollution and public health issues.

Final Thoughts on Environmental Topics for Research Papers

This article has provided 235 environmental science research topics for research papers as well as project work that high school and college students can use. Topics range from local issues, such as assessing air pollution levels in an urban area, to global concerns, like examining the ecological effects of plastic pollution. Whether its health risks are associated with air pollution in an environment or the impacts of industrialization, research can help shape your understanding of how to protect as well as preserve our planet. It is up to the students to identify good environmental research topics that are interesting and relevant to them and to delve deeper to understand the earth better.

Get in touch with our academic writing service and receive expert help. Let us know your topic, pay for research paper and get an excellent result in no time.

Joe Eckel is an expert on Dissertations writing. He makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.

You may also like

Top 150 Environmental Science Research Topics

Hey there, fellow explorers of the environmental world. Ready to dive into the kingdom of Environmental Science? We’ve got an epic list of the Top 150 Environmental Science Research Topics waiting for you. 

From climate change mysteries to wildlife wonders, this treasure covers it all. Ever wondered about the impact of pollution on our oceans or how to protect endangered species? Curious about sustainable energy or the future of our planet’s forests? We’ve got you covered.

Whether you’re a student seeking inspiration for a killer research paper or just passionate about saving our planet, these topics are your launchpad into discovering, exploring, and understanding the world around us. Get ready to free your inner environmental scientist and make a difference one topic at a time.

Understanding The Concept Of Environmental Science

Table of Contents

Environmental science is a multidimensional field that examines relationships between human beings and the environment. It delves into understanding, protecting, and sustaining our planet’s health. Here’s a quick glance.

What is Environmental Science?

• Interdisciplinary Study: Environmental science combines elements of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and social sciences to understand environmental issues comprehensively.
• Study of Systems: It focuses on ecosystems, examining how various components interact and influence each other within the environment.

Key Components

• Biodiversity: Understanding and conserving the variety of life forms on Earth.
• Climate Change: Examining the impacts of human activities on the Earth’s climate system.
• Pollution: Investigating the sources, effects, and mitigation strategies for air, water, and soil pollution.
• Resource Management: Exploring sustainable practices for using and conserving natural resources.

Importance of Environmental Science

• Critical Problem-Solving: Addresses pressing issues like habitat loss, water scarcity, and global warming.
• Policy Formation: Provides scientific data to guide environmental policies and regulations.
• Community Engagement: Educates and involves communities in environmental conservation efforts.

Careers in Environmental Science

• Environmental Scientist: Conducts research to identify and solve environmental problems.
• Conservation Biologist: Focuses on protecting and managing natural resources.
• Environmental Engineer: Designs systems to address environmental challenges.

Future Challenges

• Sustainable Development: It includes Balancing economic growth via environmental conservation.
• Climate Resilience: Adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
• Global Cooperation: Addressing environmental issues requires international collaboration.

Environmental science plays a pivotal role in shaping policies, technologies, and behaviors that contribute to a sustainable future. Understanding its significance empowers us to take proactive steps in preserving our planet for generations to come.

Updated 2024: Top 150 Environmental Science Research Topics

Now we are presenting an extensive collection of current and relevant subjects shaping the field. Covering climate change, biodiversity conservation, pollution, renewable energy, and much more, this curated list reflects the latest trends and pressing issues in environmental science. Dive into these topics to explore cutting edge research opportunities and contribute to the solutions that our planet urgently needs.

Top 10 Research Topics On Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

• Coastal Protection Measures
• Resilient Infrastructure Development
• Sustainable Agriculture in Changing Climates
• Community-Based Adaptation Initiatives
• Water Resource Management Strategies
• Urban Heat Island Mitigation
• Forest Conservation and Restoration
• Climate-Resilient Housing Solutions
• Biodiversity Conservation for Adaptation
• Renewable Energy Integration for Climate Resilience

Top 10 Research Topics On Biodiversity Conservation

• Endangered Species Protection Programs
• Habitat Restoration Initiatives
• Effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity
• Conservation Genetics and Species Preservation
• Sustainable Management of Ecosystems
• Role of National Parks in Biodiversity Conservation
• Community-Based Conservation Efforts
• Biodiversity Hotspots and Priority Areas
• Wildlife Corridors and Connectivity Conservation
• Invasive Species Management Strategies

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Renewable Energy Sources

• Solar Energy: Advancements and Applications
• Wind Power: Harnessing Renewable Energy
• Hydroelectricity: Sustainable Hydropower Technologies
• Biomass Energy: Sustainable Fuel Sources
• Geothermal Energy: Earth’s Renewable Heat Source
• Tidal and Wave Energy: Harnessing Ocean Power
• Biofuels: Sustainable Alternatives for Transportation
• Solar Photovoltaic Technology: Efficiency and Innovation
• Wind Turbine Technology: Evolution and Efficiency
• Sustainable Energy Policies and Implementation

Top 10 Research Topics On Pollution Control And Mitigation

• Air Pollution Control Strategies
• Water Pollution Remediation Techniques
• Soil Contamination Management
• Industrial Pollution Prevention Methods
• Waste Management and Recycling
• Noise Pollution Reduction Measures
• Emission Reduction in Transportation
• Green Chemistry for Pollution Control
• Urban Planning for Pollution Mitigation
• Policy Frameworks for Pollution Control

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Sustainable Agriculture Practices

• Organic Farming Techniques and Benefits
• Agroforestry: Integrating Trees in Agriculture
• Permaculture: Sustainable Farm Design
• Soil Health Management in Agriculture
• Precision Agriculture for Resource Efficiency
• Crop Rotation and Diversification
• Water-Efficient Irrigation Methods
• Integrated Pest Management Strategies
• Sustainable Livestock Farming Practices
• Climate-Smart Agriculture Techniques

Top 10 Research Topics On Urban Environmental Management

• Urban Green Spaces and Biodiversity
• Waste Management in Urban Areas
• Air Quality Monitoring and Improvement
• Sustainable Urban Transportation
• Urban Heat Island Mitigation Strategies
• Stormwater Management in Cities
• Noise Pollution Control Measures
• Green Building and Sustainable Architecture
• Community Engagement in Urban Sustainability
• Urban Resilience and Adaptation Strategies

Top 10 Research Topics On Water Resource Management

• Urban Water Conservation Strategies
• Water Recycling and Reuse Methods
• Sustainable Groundwater Management
• Drought Management and Preparedness
• Efficient Agricultural Water Use
• River Basin Management and Restoration
• Stormwater Management Techniques
• Water Quality Monitoring and Protection
• Community-Based Water Resource Management
• Technology for Water Efficiency

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Air Quality Improvement

• Urban Air Pollution Control Measures
• Industrial Emission Reduction Strategies
• Indoor Air Quality Management
• Impact of Transportation on Air Quality
• Green Technologies for Air Purification
• Role of Vegetation in Air Quality Improvement
• Clean Energy Transition and Air Quality
• Air Quality Monitoring and Assessment
• Public Health Interventions for Air Pollution
• Policy Initiatives for Air Quality Enhancement

Top 10 Research Topics On Ecosystem Restoration

• Wetland Restoration Strategies
• Reforestation and Afforestation Programs
• Coral Reef Rehabilitation Efforts
• River and Stream Restoration Initiatives
• Urban Green Spaces and Restoration
• Degraded Land Restoration Techniques
• Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration
• Ecological Restoration in Mining Areas
• Restoring Biodiversity in Disturbed Ecosystems
• Restoring Indigenous Ecosystems and Habitats

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Environmental Policy And Governance

• Climate Change Policies and Agreements
• Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations
• National and International Conservation Laws
• Green Taxation and Incentive Programs
• Sustainable Development Goals Implementation
• Biodiversity Conservation Policies
• Water Resource Management Policies
• Waste Management Legislation
• Air Quality Control and Regulations
• Forest Protection and Governance

Top 10 Research Topics On Wildlife Conservation And Management

• Wildlife Population Monitoring Techniques
• Conservation Genetics for Endangered Species
• Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution
• Wildlife Trafficking and Illegal Trade
• Habitat Fragmentation and Conservation
• Protected Area Management and Expansion
• Wildlife Migration Patterns and Conservation
• Conservation of Keystone Species
• Captive Breeding and Reintroduction Programs
• Wildlife Forensics and Crime Investigation

Top 10 Research Topics On Ocean And Coastal Studies

• Coral Reef Conservation and Restoration
• Marine Biodiversity Monitoring
• Coastal Erosion and Management Strategies
• Ocean Acidification Impacts and Mitigation
• Marine Pollution: Causes and Solutions
• Oceanography: Understanding Marine Systems
• Sustainable Fisheries Management
• Tsunami and Storm Surge Studies
• Marine Protected Areas and Conservation
• Seabed Mining Impacts and Regulations

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Environmental Health And Toxicology

• Air Quality and Human Health
• Water Contamination and Public Health
• Pesticides and Human Exposure
• Heavy Metals and Health Impacts
• Endocrine Disruptors in the Environment
• Occupational Health in Hazardous Environments
• Environmental Carcinogens and Risks
• Risk Assessment in Toxicology
• Environmental Impact on Reproductive Health
• Neurotoxicity of Environmental Pollutants

Top 10 Research Topics On Green Technology Innovations

• Smart Grid Technology for Energy Efficiency
• Energy-Efficient Building Designs
• Electric Vehicles and Sustainable Transportation
• Advanced Waste-to-Energy Technologies
• Nanotechnology in Environmental Remediation
• Green Chemistry : Sustainable Manufacturing
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
• Vertical Farming and Urban Agriculture
• AI and IoT in Environmental Monitoring
• Biodegradable Materials and Packaging

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

• Coastal Zone Adaptation Measures
• Agriculture Resilience to Climate Change
• Water Resource Management under Climate Change
• Infrastructure Adaptation for Extreme Weather
• Forest and Biodiversity Resilience Strategies
• Health Sector Adaptation to Changing Climates
• Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Adaptation
• Climate-Resilient Energy Infrastructure

And there you have it, folks, our ultimate list of 150 Environmental Science Research Topics. We’ve covered everything from climate change and biodiversity to pollution and renewable energy. But hey, this isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning of your eco-journey. Dive into these topics, explore what sparks your interest, and dig deep into making our planet a better place. Whether it’s studying ways to protect endangered species or finding innovative solutions for a greener tomorrow, there’s a topic here for everyone. So, grab your thinking cap, pick a topic, and let’s get cracking on saving the planet one research topic at a time.

Related Posts

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

• Privacy Policy

Buy Me a Coffee

Home » 500+ Environmental Research Topics

500+ Environmental Research Topics

Environmental research is a crucial area of study in today’s world, as we face an increasing number of complex and pressing environmental challenges. From climate change to pollution, biodiversity loss to natural resource depletion, there is an urgent need for scientific inquiry and investigation to inform policy, decision-making, and action. Environmental research encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including ecology, biology , geology, chemistry , and physics , among others, and explores a diverse array of topics , from ocean acidification to sustainable agriculture. Through rigorous scientific inquiry and a commitment to generating evidence-based solutions, environmental research plays a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. In this article, we will cover some trending Environmental Research Topics.

Environmental Research Topics

Environmental Research Topics are as follows:

• Climate change and its impacts on ecosystems and society
• The effectiveness of carbon capture and storage technology
• The role of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems
• The impact of human activity on soil quality
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine life
• The effectiveness of renewable energy sources
• The impact of deforestation on local communities and wildlife
• The relationship between air pollution and human health
• The impact of agricultural practices on soil erosion
• The effectiveness of conservation measures for endangered species
• The impact of overfishing on marine ecosystems
• The role of wetlands in mitigating climate change
• The impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems
• The impact of urbanization on local ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on global food security
• The effectiveness of water conservation measures
• The impact of pesticide use on pollinators
• The impact of acid rain on aquatic ecosystems
• The impact of sea level rise on coastal communities
• The effectiveness of carbon taxes in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of habitat destruction on migratory species
• The impact of invasive species on native ecosystems
• The role of national parks in biodiversity conservation
• The impact of climate change on coral reefs
• The effectiveness of green roofs in reducing urban heat island effect
• The impact of noise pollution on wildlife behavior
• The impact of air pollution on crop yields
• The effectiveness of composting in reducing organic waste
• The impact of climate change on the Arctic ecosystem
• The impact of land use change on soil carbon sequestration
• The role of mangroves in coastal protection and carbon sequestration
• The impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems
• The impact of ocean acidification on marine organisms
• The effectiveness of carbon offsets in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of deforestation on climate regulation
• The impact of groundwater depletion on agriculture
• The impact of climate change on migratory bird populations
• The effectiveness of wind turbines in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of urbanization on bird diversity
• The impact of climate change on ocean currents
• The impact of drought on plant and animal populations
• The effectiveness of agroforestry in improving soil quality
• The impact of climate change on water availability
• The impact of wildfires on carbon storage in forests
• The impact of climate change on freshwater ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green energy subsidies
• The impact of nitrogen pollution on aquatic ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on forest ecosystems
• The effectiveness of community-based conservation initiatives
• The impact of climate change on the water cycle
• The impact of mining activities on local ecosystems
• The impact of wind energy on bird and bat populations
• The effectiveness of bioremediation in cleaning up contaminated soil and water
• The impact of deforestation on local climate patterns
• The impact of climate change on insect populations
• The impact of agricultural runoff on freshwater ecosystems
• The effectiveness of smart irrigation systems in reducing water use
• The impact of ocean currents on marine biodiversity
• The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green buildings in reducing energy use
• The impact of climate change on glacier retreat and sea level rise
• The impact of light pollution on nocturnal wildlife behavior
• The impact of climate change on desert ecosystems
• The effectiveness of electric vehicles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of ocean pollution on human health
• The impact of land use change on water quality
• The impact of urbanization on bird populations
• The impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems and wildlife
• The effectiveness of green energy storage technologies in promoting renewable energy use
• The impact of climate change on freshwater availability and water management
• The impact of industrial pollution on air quality and human health
• The effectiveness of urban green spaces in promoting human health and well-being
• The impact of climate change on snow cover and winter tourism
• The impact of agricultural land use on biodiversity and ecosystem services
• The effectiveness of green incentives in promoting sustainable consumer behavior
• The impact of ocean acidification on shellfish and mollusk populations
• The impact of climate change on river flow and flooding
• The effectiveness of green supply chain management in promoting sustainable production
• The impact of noise pollution on avian communication and behavior
• The impact of climate change on arctic ecosystems and wildlife
• The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable tourism
• The impact of microplastics on marine food webs and human health
• The impact of climate change on invasive species distributions
• The effectiveness of green infrastructure in promoting sustainable urban development
• The impact of plastic pollution on human health and food safety
• The impact of climate change on soil microbial communities and nutrient cycling
• The effectiveness of green technologies in promoting sustainable industrial production
• The impact of climate change on permafrost thaw and methane emissions
• The impact of deforestation on water quality and quantity
• The effectiveness of green certification schemes in promoting sustainable production and consumption
• The impact of noise pollution on terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife
• The impact of climate change on bird migration patterns
• The effectiveness of green waste management in promoting sustainable resource use
• The impact of climate change on insect populations and ecosystem services
• The impact of plastic pollution on human society and culture
• The effectiveness of green finance in promoting sustainable development goals
• The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity hotspots
• The impact of climate change on natural disasters and disaster risk reduction
• The effectiveness of green urban planning in promoting sustainable cities and communities
• The impact of deforestation on soil carbon storage and climate change
• The impact of noise pollution on human communication and behavior
• The effectiveness of green energy policy in promoting renewable energy use
• The impact of climate change on Arctic sea ice and wildlife
• The impact of agricultural practices on soil quality and ecosystem health
• The effectiveness of green taxation in promoting sustainable behavior
• The impact of plastic pollution on freshwater ecosystems and wildlife
• The impact of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions and crop production
• The effectiveness of green innovation in promoting sustainable technological advancements
• The impact of climate change on ocean currents and marine heatwaves
• The impact of deforestation on indigenous communities and cultural practices
• The effectiveness of green governance in promoting sustainable development and environmental justice
• The effectiveness of wetland restoration in reducing flood risk
• The impact of climate change on the spread of vector-borne diseases
• The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable consumption
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems
• The impact of renewable energy development on wildlife habitats
• The effectiveness of environmental education programs in promoting pro-environmental behavior
• The impact of deforestation on global climate change
• The impact of microplastics on freshwater ecosystems
• The effectiveness of eco-labeling in promoting sustainable seafood consumption
• The impact of climate change on coral reef ecosystems
• The impact of air pollution on human health and mortality rates
• The effectiveness of eco-tourism in promoting conservation and community development
• The impact of climate change on agricultural production and food security
• The impact of wind turbine noise on wildlife behavior and populations
• The impact of light pollution on nocturnal ecosystems and species
• The effectiveness of green energy subsidies in promoting renewable energy use
• The impact of invasive species on native ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of climate change on ocean acidification and marine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green public procurement in promoting sustainable production
• The impact of deforestation on soil erosion and nutrient depletion
• The impact of noise pollution on human health and well-being
• The effectiveness of green building standards in promoting sustainable construction
• The impact of climate change on forest fires and wildfire risk
• The impact of e-waste on human health and environmental pollution
• The impact of climate change on polar ice caps and sea levels
• The impact of pharmaceutical pollution on freshwater ecosystems and wildlife
• The effectiveness of green transportation policies in reducing carbon emissions
• The impact of climate change on glacier retreat and water availability
• The impact of pesticide use on pollinator populations and ecosystems
• The effectiveness of circular economy models in reducing waste and promoting sustainability
• The impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of plastic waste on terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife
• The effectiveness of green chemistry in promoting sustainable manufacturing
• The impact of climate change on ocean currents and weather patterns
• The impact of agricultural runoff on freshwater ecosystems and water quality
• The effectiveness of green bonds in financing sustainable infrastructure projects
• The impact of climate change on soil moisture and desertification
• The impact of noise pollution on marine ecosystems and species
• The effectiveness of community-based conservation in promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health
• The impact of climate change on permafrost ecosystems and carbon storage
• The impact of urbanization on water pollution and quality
• The effectiveness of green jobs in promoting sustainable employment
• The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of plastic pollution on terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife
• The effectiveness of sustainable fashion in promoting sustainable consumption
• The impact of climate change on phenology and seasonal cycles of plants and animals
• The impact of ocean pollution on human health and seafood safety
• The effectiveness of green procurement policies in promoting sustainable supply chains
• The impact of climate change on marine food webs and ecosystems
• The impact of agricultural practices on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
• The effectiveness of green financing in promoting sustainable investment
• The effectiveness of rainwater harvesting systems in reducing water use
• The impact of climate change on permafrost ecosystems
• The impact of coastal erosion on shoreline ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green infrastructure in reducing urban heat island effect
• The impact of microorganisms on soil fertility and carbon sequestration
• The impact of climate change on snowpack and water availability
• The impact of oil and gas drilling on local ecosystems
• The effectiveness of carbon labeling in promoting sustainable consumer choices
• The impact of marine noise pollution on marine mammals
• The impact of climate change on alpine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green supply chain management in reducing environmental impact
• The impact of climate change on river ecosystems
• The impact of urban sprawl on wildlife habitat fragmentation
• The effectiveness of carbon trading in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of ocean warming on marine ecosystems
• The impact of agricultural practices on water quality and quantity
• The effectiveness of green roofs in improving urban air quality
• The impact of climate change on tropical rainforests
• The impact of water pollution on human health and livelihoods
• The effectiveness of green bonds in financing sustainable projects
• The impact of climate change on polar bear populations
• The impact of human activity on soil biodiversity
• The effectiveness of waste-to-energy systems in reducing waste and emissions
• The impact of climate change on Arctic sea ice and marine ecosystems
• The impact of sea level rise on low-lying coastal cities and communities
• The effectiveness of sustainable tourism in promoting conservation and community development
• The impact of deforestation on indigenous peoples and their livelihoods
• The impact of climate change on sea turtle populations
• The effectiveness of carbon-neutral and carbon-negative technologies
• The impact of urbanization on water resources and quality
• The impact of climate change on cold-water fish populations
• The effectiveness of green entrepreneurship in promoting sustainable innovation
• The impact of wildfires on air quality and public health
• The impact of climate change on human migration patterns and social systems
• The impact of noise pollution on bird communication and behavior in urban environments
• The impact of climate change on estuarine ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of deforestation on water availability and river basin management
• The impact of climate change on plant phenology and distribution
• The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable consumer behavior
• The impact of plastic pollution on freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of climate change on marine plastic debris accumulation and distribution
• The effectiveness of green innovation in promoting sustainable technology development
• The impact of climate change on crop yields and food security
• The impact of noise pollution on human health and well-being in urban environments
• The impact of climate change on Arctic marine ecosystems and biodiversity
• The effectiveness of green transportation infrastructure in promoting sustainable mobility
• The impact of deforestation on non-timber forest products and forest-dependent livelihoods
• The impact of climate change on wetland carbon sequestration and storage
• The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtle populations and nesting behavior
• The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the Southern Ocean
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable agriculture
• The impact of climate change on oceanographic processes and upwelling systems
• The impact of noise pollution on terrestrial wildlife communication and behavior
• The impact of climate change on coastal erosion and shoreline management
• The effectiveness of green finance in promoting sustainable investment
• The impact of deforestation on indigenous communities and traditional knowledge systems
• The impact of climate change on tropical cyclones and extreme weather events
• The effectiveness of green buildings in promoting energy efficiency and carbon reduction
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine food webs and trophic interactions
• The impact of climate change on algal blooms and harmful algal blooms in marine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green business partnerships in promoting sustainable development goals
• The impact of climate change on ocean deoxygenation and its effects on marine life
• The impact of noise pollution on human sleep and rest patterns in urban environments
• The impact of climate change on freshwater availability and management
• The effectiveness of green entrepreneurship in promoting social and environmental justice
• The impact of deforestation on wildlife habitat and biodiversity conservation
• The impact of climate change on the migration patterns and behaviors of birds and mammals
• The effectiveness of green urban planning in promoting sustainable and livable cities
• The impact of plastic pollution on microplastics and nanoplastics in marine ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on marine ecosystem services and their value to society
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable forestry
• The impact of climate change on ocean currents and their effects on marine biodiversity
• The impact of noise pollution on urban ecosystems and their ecological functions
• The impact of climate change on freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
• The effectiveness of green policy implementation in promoting sustainable development
• The impact of deforestation on soil carbon storage and greenhouse gas emissions
• The impact of climate change on marine mammals and their ecosystem roles
• The effectiveness of green product labeling in promoting sustainable consumer behavior
• The impact of plastic pollution on coral reefs and their resilience to climate change
• The impact of climate change on waterborne diseases and public health
• The effectiveness of green energy policies in promoting renewable energy adoption
• The impact of deforestation on carbon storage and sequestration in peatlands
• The impact of climate change on ocean acidification and its effects on marine life
• The effectiveness of green supply chain management in promoting circular economy principles
• The impact of noise pollution on urban birds and their vocal communication
• The impact of climate change on ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests
• The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable fashion and textiles
• The impact of plastic pollution on deep-sea ecosystems and biodiversity
• The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity hotspots and conservation priorities
• The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable infrastructure development
• The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by agroforestry systems
• The impact of climate change on snow and ice cover and their effects on freshwater ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green tourism in promoting sustainable tourism practices
• The impact of noise pollution on human cognitive performance and productivity
• The impact of climate change on forest fires and their effects on ecosystem services
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable seafood consumption
• The impact of climate change on insect populations and their ecosystem roles
• The impact of plastic pollution on seabird populations and their reproductive success
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable public sector spending
• The impact of deforestation on soil erosion and land degradation
• The impact of climate change on riverine ecosystems and their ecosystem services
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable fisheries
• The impact of noise pollution on marine mammals and their acoustic communication
• The impact of climate change on terrestrial carbon sinks and sources
• The effectiveness of green technology transfer in promoting sustainable development
• The impact of deforestation on non-timber forest products and their sustainable use
• The impact of climate change on marine invasive species and their ecological impacts
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable private sector spending
• The impact of plastic pollution on zooplankton populations and their ecosystem roles
• The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems and their services
• The effectiveness of green education in promoting sustainable behavior change
• The impact of deforestation on watershed management and water quality
• The impact of climate change on soil nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning
• The effectiveness of green technology innovation in promoting sustainable development
• The impact of noise pollution on human health in outdoor recreational settings
• The impact of climate change on oceanic nutrient cycling and primary productivity
• The effectiveness of green urban design in promoting sustainable and resilient cities
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine microbial communities and their functions
• The impact of climate change on coral reef bleaching and recovery
• The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by community-managed forests
• The impact of climate change on freshwater fish populations and their ecosystem roles
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable tourism
• The impact of noise pollution on human stress and cardiovascular health
• The impact of climate change on glacier retreat and their effects on freshwater ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green technology diffusion in promoting sustainable development
• The impact of plastic pollution on sea grass beds and their ecosystem services
• The impact of climate change on forest phenology and productivity.
• The effectiveness of green transportation policies in promoting sustainable mobility
• The impact of deforestation on indigenous peoples’ livelihoods and traditional knowledge
• The impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and their biodiversity
• The effectiveness of green building standards in promoting sustainable architecture
• The impact of noise pollution on nocturnal animals and their behavior
• The impact of climate change on migratory bird populations and their breeding success
• The effectiveness of green taxation in promoting sustainable consumption and production
• The impact of deforestation on wildlife corridors and ecosystem connectivity
• The impact of climate change on urban heat islands and their effects on public health
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable forestry practices
• The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtle populations and their nesting success
• The impact of climate change on invasive plant species and their ecological impacts
• The effectiveness of green business practices in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship
• The impact of noise pollution on urban wildlife and their acoustic communication
• The impact of climate change on alpine ecosystems and their services
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems
• The impact of deforestation on soil carbon stocks and their effects on climate change
• The impact of climate change on wetland methane emissions and their contribution to greenhouse gas concentrations
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable forestry and timber production
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine mammal populations and their health
• The impact of climate change on marine fisheries and their sustainable management
• The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation
• The impact of noise pollution on bat populations and their behavior
• The impact of climate change on permafrost thaw and its effects on Arctic ecosystems
• The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by sacred groves
• The impact of climate change on tropical cyclones and their impacts on coastal ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green technology transfer in promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems
• The impact of plastic pollution on benthic macroinvertebrate populations and their ecosystem roles
• The impact of climate change on freshwater invertebrate populations and their ecosystem roles
• The effectiveness of green tourism in promoting sustainable wildlife tourism practices
• The impact of noise pollution on amphibian populations and their communication
• The impact of climate change on mountain ecosystems and their biodiversity
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems
• The impact of deforestation on indigenous peoples’ food security and nutrition
• The impact of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions and their ecosystem roles
• The impact of plastic pollution on freshwater ecosystems and their services
• The impact of climate change on oceanic currents and their effects on marine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure
• The impact of noise pollution on human sleep quality and mental health
• The impact of climate change on marine viruses and their effects on marine life
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable packaging and waste reduction
• The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by riparian forests
• The impact of climate change on insect-pollinated crops and their yields
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable waste management
• The impact of plastic pollution on estuarine ecosystems and their services
• The impact of climate change on groundwater recharge and aquifer depletion
• The effectiveness of green education in promoting sustainable tourism practices
• The impact of climate change on coral reefs and their biodiversity
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable clothing and textile production
• The impact of deforestation on riverine fish populations and their fishery-dependent communities
• The impact of climate change on mountain water resources and their availability
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable tourism accommodations
• The impact of plastic pollution on deep-sea ecosystems and their biodiversity
• The impact of climate change on sea-level rise and its effects on coastal ecosystems and communities
• The effectiveness of green energy policies in promoting renewable energy production
• The impact of noise pollution on human cardiovascular health
• The impact of climate change on biogeochemical cycles in marine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable personal care and cosmetic products
• The impact of deforestation on carbon sequestration and its effects on climate change
• The impact of climate change on wildfire frequency and severity
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable energy-efficient technologies
• The impact of plastic pollution on beach ecosystems and their tourism potential
• The impact of climate change on marine mammals and their habitat range shifts
• The effectiveness of green urban design in promoting sustainable and livable neighborhoods
• The impact of noise pollution on urban human and wildlife communities
• The impact of climate change on soil microorganisms and their roles in nutrient cycling
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable electronics and e-waste management
• The impact of deforestation on watershed services and their effects on downstream ecosystems and communities
• The impact of climate change on human migration patterns and their impacts on urbanization
• The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable water management and infrastructure
• The impact of plastic pollution on seabird populations and their nesting success
• The impact of climate change on ocean acidification and its effects on marine ecosystems
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
• The impact of noise pollution on terrestrial carnivore populations and their communication
• The impact of climate change on snow and ice dynamics in polar regions
• The effectiveness of green tourism in promoting sustainable cultural heritage preservation
• The impact of deforestation on riverine water quality and their effects on aquatic life
• The impact of climate change on forest fires and their ecological effects
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable home appliances and energy use
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine invertebrate populations and their ecosystem roles
• The impact of climate change on soil erosion and its effects on agricultural productivity
• The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable construction materials and waste reduction
• The impact of noise pollution on marine mammal populations and their behavior
• The impact of climate change on ocean circulation and its effects on marine life
• The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable forest management
• The impact of deforestation on medicinal plant populations and their traditional uses
• The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems and their carbon storage capacity
• The effectiveness of green urban planning in promoting sustainable and resilient cities
• The impact of plastic pollution on seabed ecosystems and their biodiversity
• The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable palm oil production
• The impact of noise pollution on bird populations and their communication
• The impact of climate change on freshwater quality and its effects on aquatic life
• The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable food packaging and waste reduction
• The impact of deforestation on streamflow and its effects on downstream

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

You may also like

200+ Funny Research Topics

500+ Sports Research Topics

300+ American History Research Paper Topics

500+ Cyber Security Research Topics

500+ Economics Research Topics

500+ Physics Research Topics

When you choose to publish with PLOS, your research makes an impact. Make your work accessible to all, without restrictions, and accelerate scientific discovery with options like preprints and published peer review that make your work more Open.

• PLOS Biology
• PLOS Climate
• PLOS Complex Systems
• PLOS Computational Biology
• PLOS Digital Health
• PLOS Genetics
• PLOS Global Public Health
• PLOS Medicine
• PLOS Mental Health
• PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• PLOS Pathogens
• PLOS Sustainability and Transformation
• PLOS Collections
• About This Blog
• Author Guidelines
• Official PLOS Blog
• EveryONE Blog
• Speaking of Medicine
• PLOS Biologue
• Absolutely Maybe
• DNA Science
• PLOS ECR Community
• All Models Are Wrong
• About PLOS Blogs

Explore the latest research making an impact in your field

Our environmental science research journals cover a broad range of topics, from agriculture and ecosystems, to the effects of environmental change on health, and resource management. Read some of the latest and most talked about research from across our portfolio.

Most mentioned

Read the most mentioned* articles from each of our journals in 2023 so far.

Income-based U.S. household carbon footprints (1990–2019) offer new insights on emissions inequality and climate finance , PLOS Climate

The empirical evidence for the social-ecological impacts of seaweed farming , PLOS Sustainability and Transformation

Leveraging high spatiotemporal resolution data of pesticides applied to agricultural fields in California to identify toxicity reduction opportunities , PLOS Water

Latest environmental science research

Read the very latest articles published in our environmental science research journals. Select a topic below to get started or browse all articles.

From PLOS Climate , Mental health during wildfires in Southcentral Alaska: An assessment of community-derived mental health categories, interventions, and implementation considerations.

From PLOS Sustainability and Transformation , An evidence-based approach to national Sustainable Development Goal assessment: The case of Ireland

From PLOS Water , Microbial community function and bacterial pathogen composition in pit latrines in peri-urban Malawi

Read the latest multidisciplinary research from across our journals:

*based on data from Altmetric, accessed October 2023.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name and email for the next time I comment.

by Anpotowin Jensen, Oglala Lakota Nation Embarking on the journey to the UN Environment Assembly Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, I felt a…

In this blog post, we catch up with Matt Ball, whom we previously interviewed as an undergraduate Geography student at Durham University…

Authors: Muhammad Arslan Aslam– environmental researcher and advocate currently pursuing an Erasmus Mundus MSc in Marine Environment and Resources. Anamika Barua– Professor…

2019 Best Papers published in the Environmental Science journals of the Royal Society of Chemistry

In 2019, the Royal Society of Chemistry published 180, 196 and 293 papers in Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts , Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology , and Environmental Science: Nano , respectively. These papers covered a wide range of topics in environmental science, from biogeochemical cycling to water reuse to nanomaterial toxicity. And, yes, we also published papers on the topic of the environmental fate, behavior, and inactivation of viruses. 1–10 We are extremely grateful that so many authors have chosen our journals as outlets for publishing their research and are equally delighted at the high quality of the papers that we have had the privilege to publish.

Our Associate Editors, Editorial Boards, and Advisory Boards were enlisted to nominate and select the best papers from 2019. From this list, the three Editors-in-Chief selected an overall best paper from the entire Environmental Science portfolio. It is our pleasure to present the winners of the Best Papers in 2019 to you, our readers.

Overall Best Paper

In this paper, Johansson et al. examine sea spray aerosol as a potential transport vehicle for perfluoroalkyl carboxylic and sulfonic acids. The surfactant properties of these compounds are well known and, in fact, key to many of the technical applications for which they are used. The fact that these compounds are enriched at the air–water interface makes enrichment in sea spray aerosols seem reasonable. Johansson et al. systematically tested various perfluoroalkyl acids enrichment in aerosols under conditions relevant to sea spray formation, finding that longer chain lengths lead to higher aerosol enrichment factors. They augmented their experimental work with a global model, which further bolstered the conclusion that global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids by sea spray aerosol is and will continue to be an important process in determining the global distribution of these compounds.

Journal Best Papers

Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts

First Runner-up Best Paper: Yamakawa, Takami, Takeda, Kato, Kajii, Emerging investigator series: investigation of mercury emission sources using Hg isotopic compositions of atmospheric mercury at the Cape Hedo Atmosphere and Aerosol Monitoring Station (CHAAMS), Japan , Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 809–818, DOI: 10.1039/C8EM00590G .

Second Runner-up Best Paper: Avery, Waring, DeCarlo, Seasonal variation in aerosol composition and concentration upon transport from the outdoor to indoor environment , Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 528–547, DOI: 10.1039/C8EM00471D .

Best Review Article: Cousins, Ng, Wang, Scheringer, Why is high persistence alone a major cause of concern? Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 781–792, DOI: 10.1039/C8EM00515J .

Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology

First Runner-up Best Paper: Yang, Lin, Tse, Dong, Yu, Hoffmann, Membrane-separated electrochemical latrine wastewater treatment , Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 51–59, DOI: 10.1039/C8EW00698A .

Second Runner-up Best Paper: Genter, Marks, Clair-Caliot, Mugume, Johnston, Bain, Julian, Evaluation of the novel substrate RUG™ for the detection of Escherichia coli in water from temperate (Zurich, Switzerland) and tropical (Bushenyi, Uganda) field sites , Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1082–1091, DOI: 10.1039/C9EW00138G .

Best Review Article: Okoffo, O’Brien, O’Brien, Tscharke, Thomas, Wastewater treatment plants as a source of plastics in the environment: a review of occurrence, methods for identification, quantification and fate , Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1908–1931, DOI: 10.1039/C9EW00428A .

Environmental Science: Nano

First Runner-up Best Paper: Janković, Plata, Engineered nanomaterials in the context of global element cycles , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 2697–2711, DOI: 10.1039/C9EN00322C .

Second Runner-up Best Paper: González-Pleiter, Tamayo-Belda, Pulido-Reyes, Amariei, Leganés, Rosal, Fernández-Piñas, Secondary nanoplastics released from a biodegradable microplastic severely impact freshwater environments , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 1382–1392, DOI: 10.1039/C8EN01427B .

Best Review Article: Lv, Christie, Zhang, Uptake, translocation, and transformation of metal-based nanoparticles in plants: recent advances and methodological challenges , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 41–59, DOI: 10.1039/C8EN00645H .

Congratulations to the authors of these papers and a hearty thanks to all of our authors. As one can clearly see from the papers listed above, environmental science is a global effort and we are thrilled to have contributions from around the world. In these challenging times, we are proud to publish research that is not only great science, but also relevant to the health of the environment and the public. Finally, we also wish to extend our thanks to our community of editors, reviewers, and readers. We look forward to another outstanding year of Environmental Science , reading the work generated not just from our offices at home, but also from back in our laboratories and the field.

Kris McNeill, Editor-in-Chief

Paige Novak, Editor-in-Chief

Peter Vikesland, Editor-in-Chief

• A. B Boehm, Risk-based water quality thresholds for coliphages in surface waters: effect of temperature and contamination aging, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 2031–2041,   10.1039/C9EM00376B .
• L. Cai, C. Liu, G. Fan, C Liu and X. Sun, Preventing viral disease by ZnONPs through directly deactivating TMV and activating plant immunity in Nicotiana benthamiana , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 3653–3669,   10.1039/C9EN00850K .
• L. W. Gassie, J. D. Englehardt, N. E. Brinkman, J. Garland and M. K. Perera, Ozone-UV net-zero water wash station for remote emergency response healthcare units: design, operation, and results, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1971–1984,   10.1039/C9EW00126C .
• L. M. Hornstra, T. Rodrigues da Silva, B. Blankert, L. Heijnen, E. Beerendonk, E. R. Cornelissen and G. Medema, Monitoring the integrity of reverse osmosis membranes using novel indigenous freshwater viruses and bacteriophages, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1535–1544,   10.1039/C9EW00318E .
• A. H. Hassaballah, J. Nyitrai, C. H. Hart, N. Dai and L. M. Sassoubre, A pilot-scale study of peracetic acid and ultraviolet light for wastewater disinfection, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1453–1463,   10.1039/C9EW00341J .
• W. Khan, J.-Y. Nam, H. Woo, H. Ryu, S. Kim, S. K. Maeng and H.-C. Kim, A proof of concept study for wastewater reuse using bioelectrochemical processes combined with complementary post-treatment technologies, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1489–1498,   10.1039/C9EW00358D .
• J. Heffron, B. McDermid and B. K. Mayer, Bacteriophage inactivation as a function of ferrous iron oxidation, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1309–1317,   10.1039/C9EW00190E .
• S. Torii, T. Hashimoto, A. T. Do, H. Furumai and H. Katayama, Impact of repeated pressurization on virus removal by reverse osmosis membranes for household water treatment, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 910–919,   10.1039/C8EW00944A .
• J. Miao, H.-J. Jiang, Z.-W. Yang, D.-y. Shi, D. Yang, Z.-Q. Shen, J. Yin, Z.-G. Qiu, H.-R. Wang, J.-W. Li and M. Jin, Assessment of an electropositive granule media filter for concentrating viruses from large volumes of coastal water, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 325–333,   10.1039/C8EW00699G .
• K. L. Nelson, A. B. Boehm, R. J. Davies-Colley, M. C. Dodd, T. Kohn, K. G. Linden, Y. Liu, P. A. Maraccini, K. McNeill, W. A. Mitch, T. H. Nguyen, K. M. Parker, R. A. Rodriguez, L. M. Sassoubre, A. I. Silverman, K. R. Wigginton and R. G. Zepp, Sunlight mediated inactivation of health relevant microorganisms in water: a review of mechanisms and modeling approaches, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2018, 20 , 1089–1122,   10.1039/C8EM00047F .

351 Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

18 January 2024

last updated

Environmental science research topics depend on a vast range of issues pivotal to understanding and safeguarding the natural world. Some themes may dive deep into studies of climate change, assessing its impact on ecosystems and suggesting mitigation strategies. Various topics also explore biodiversity, looking at species conservation and threats to habitats globally. Pollution is another focal area, investigating the sources, effects, and solutions to air, water, and soil contamination. Moreover, sustainable practices focus on renewable energy, green urban planning, and sustainable agriculture. This interdisciplinary field even scrutinizes human behavior, illustrating the complex interplay between socioeconomic factors and environmental health. Thus, environmental science research topics cover exploration, data interpretation, and creative problem-solving, all with the ultimate goal of developing ecologically responsible and sustainable methods for the proper coexistence of people and the natural world.

Hot Environmental Research Topics

• Understanding Climate Change and Food Security Nexus
• Unveiling Mysteries of Deep Ocean Biodiversity
• Exploring Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture
• Harnessing Green Energy: Opportunities and Challenges
• Rethinking Urban Design for Climate Resilience
• Insights Into Ecological Consequences of Deforestation
• Green Building Practices: A Comparative Study
• Endangered Species and Conservation Efforts: A Comprehensive Review
• Examining the Potential of Vertical Farming in Urban Areas
• Strategies for Plastic Waste Management: A Global Perspective
• Microplastics in Marine Ecosystems: An Unseen Threat
• Decoding Links Between Soil Health and Agricultural Productivity
• Effective Water Management Strategies in Arid Regions
• Emerging Contaminants in Freshwater Bodies: Trends and Solutions
• E-Waste Recycling: Technological Advancements and Challenges
• Carbon Sequestration in Forest Ecosystems: A Multidisciplinary Approach
• Human Behavioral Change for Environmental Sustainability
• Analyzing the Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health
• Biodiversity Hotspots and Their Conservation Significance
• Assessing Geoengineering Techniques for Climate Change Mitigation

Easy Environmental Research Topics

• Exploration of Solar Energy Advantages
• Rainwater Harvesting: A Simple Guide
• Why Recycling Matters: A Closer Look
• Green Spaces in Urban Planning
• Wildlife Conservation in Local Communities
• Understanding the Threat of Endangered Species
• Eco-Friendly Farming: The Basics
• Pollution in Cities: An Overview
• Renewable Energy: Current Trends
• Conservation of Water: Simple Methods
• Sustainable Living: Small Changes, Big Effects
• Climate Change: Easy-to-Understand Facts
• Rising Sea Levels: Exploring Causes
• Greenhouse Gases: A Beginner’s Study
• Composting at Home: An Introduction
• Biodiversity in Backyards: A Survey
• Plastic Waste: The Global Picture
• Community Gardens: Environmental and Social Benefits
• Forest Fires and Climate Change: A Link

Interesting Environmental Topics

• Decoding Coral Reef Bleaching Phenomena
• Intricacies of Permaculture Design Principles
• Fascinating World of Biofuels: A Deeper Dive
• Cryptic Life of Microorganisms in Soil Health Maintenance
• Innovative Techniques in Water Purification and Conservation
• Ecology of Urban Bees: A Novel Approach
• Mysterious Decline of Honeybee Populations
• Analysis of Climate Change Predictive Models
• Rise of Veganism: Environmental Implications
• Bizarre Effects of Light Pollution on Wildlife
• Ecosystem Services Provided by Wetlands
• Unfolding the Hidden Costs of Fast Fashion
• Overpopulation and Strain on Environmental Resources
• Wonders of Agroforestry: An Interdisciplinary Investigation
• Unraveling the Puzzle of Eutrophication
• Curious Case of Invasive Species: Winners or Losers?
• Dissecting the Intricacies of Carbon Footprints
• A Magnet for Pollution: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
• Invisible Enemy: Silent Threat of Indoor Air Pollution
• Glacial Retreat: A Story of Changing Climates

Environmental Research Topics for High School

• Influence of Climate Change on Local Weather Patterns
• Renewable Energy Sources: An Overview
• Understanding the Process of Composting
• Examining the Threat of Endangered Species Locally
• Exploring the Concept of Carbon Footprint
• Deforestation and Its Consequences: A Closer Look
• Greenhouse Effect Simplified: Causes and Consequences
• Waste Management: Importance of Recycling and Reusing
• Biodiversity in Your Backyard: An Introduction
• Diving Into the World of Organic Farming
• Air Quality Index and Its Significance
• Examining Coral Reefs: Importance and Threats
• Water Conservation Techniques for Sustainable Use
• Unpacking the Plastic Problem: From Production to Pollution
• Agriculture and Its Environmental Effects: An Overview
• Urban Heat Islands: Causes and Mitigation Strategies
• Natural Disasters: Causes and Preparation Techniques
• Exploring the Connection Between Diet and Environment
• Invasive Species’ Impact on Native Ecosystems
• Sustainability in Action: Everyday Practices for a Greener Future

Environmental Research Topics for College Students

• Unraveling the Mystery of Coral Bleaching
• Environmental Justice: A Multidisciplinary Approach
• Sustainable Transport: A Comparative Study
• Diving Into Deep Sea Mining: Pros and Cons
• Solar Power Efficiency: Opportunities and Challenges
• Biodegradable Plastics: A Solution or a Mirage?
• Hydroelectric Power: Evaluating Environmental Trade-offs
• Permaculture Principles and Its Real-World Applications
• Ecotourism: An Assessment of Environmental and Social Effects
• Air Pollution and Public Health: An Interdisciplinary Study
• Ecological Footprint: Calculation and Interpretation
• Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Agriculture
• Industrial Agriculture vs. Organic Farming: A Comparative Analysis
• Urban Planning for Climate Resilience: A Detailed Review
• Conservation Strategies for Endangered Species
• Wetlands: Ecological Importance and Conservation Measures
• Ocean Acidification: Causes and Effects on Marine Life
• Green Architecture: Innovations and Challenges
• Sustainable Waste Management: Technological Innovations and Best Practices

Environmental Research Topics for University

• Interconnections Between Forest Fires and Climate Change
• Assessing Sustainability in Supply Chain Management
• Urban Sprawl and Environmental Degradation: A Case Study
• GMO Crops: An Environmental and Social Analysis
• Geospatial Techniques in Environmental Conservation
• Water Quality in Developing Countries: Comprehensive Study
• Marine Pollution: Sources, Consequences, and Mitigation Strategies
• Environmental Ethics: Perspectives and Applications
• Soil Erosion: Causes, Effects, and Control Measures
• Geoengineering Techniques for Climate Change Mitigation
• Sustainable Urban Development: New Avenues and Challenges
• Nanotechnology in Environmental Remediation: A Critical Review
• Climate Policy and International Relations: A Complex Nexus
• Sustainable Fashion: Practices, Challenges, and Future Directions
• Technological Innovations in Renewable Energy: A Trend Analysis
• Green Spaces and Mental Health: An Interdisciplinary Review
• Trends in Sustainable Aquaculture Practices
• Wildlife Trafficking and Environmental Security: A Global Perspective
• Analyzing the Health Effects of Air Pollution
• Disposal and Management of Hazardous Waste: Current Techniques and Challenges

Topics in Environmental Science Research

• Challenges of Sustainable Resource Management
• Environmental Epigenetics: A New Frontier
• Plant-Based Diets and Sustainability: A Deeper Insight
• Unfolding Mysteries of Climate Migration Patterns
• Urban Ecology: Interactions of Humans and Nature
• Biochar as a Soil Amendment: An Analysis
• Threats to Arctic Ecosystems: A Detailed Review
• Influence of Mining Activities on Local Environments
• Deciphering the Ozone Layer Depletion Puzzle
• Flood Risk Management in Changing Climates
• Regenerative Agriculture: Practices and Prospects
• Methane Emissions From Livestock Farming: A Critical Review
• Ecohydrology: Interactions Between Water and Ecosystems
• Ecological Restoration of Degraded Landscapes
• Exploring the World of Conservation Genetics
• Plastic Pollution in Terrestrial Environments: An Emerging Issue
• Bioinformatics in Biodiversity Conservation: A Novel Approach
• Sustainable Tourism Practices: A Global Overview
• Life Cycle Analysis of Consumer Products
• Urban Farming Innovations: A Potential Solution for Food Security

Research Topics for Environmental Issues

• Deciphering the Global Nitrogen Cycle: Anthropogenic Effects
• Climate-Smart Agriculture: Innovation and Adoption Challenges
• Environmental Governance: Comparative Analysis of Global Frameworks
• Quantifying Biodiversity: Advanced Metrics and Methodologies
• Radiative Forcing From Atmospheric Aerosols: A Detailed Study
• Advancing Sustainable Urban Development: A Systems Perspective
• Environmental Risks of Nanomaterials: A Comprehensive Review
• Plant-Microbe Interactions in Phytoremediation: Molecular Mechanisms
• Ecological Modelling for Ecosystem Service Valuation
• Assessing Future Trajectories of Sea Level Rise
• Climate Change Adaptation: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Policy Interventions
• Agricultural Practices and Soil Carbon Sequestration: An In-Depth Study
• Socioeconomic Determinants of Environmental Behavior: A Cross-Cultural Analysis
• Sustainable Water Management in Arid Regions: Novel Approaches
• Challenges in Implementing a Circular Economy: A Case Study
• Holocene Climate Variability: Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions
• Green Chemistry: Emerging Techniques and Environmental Implications
• Bioenergy Production: Environmental Trade-Offs and Opportunities
• Ecosystem Resilience in the Face of Anthropogenic Disturbances

Environmental Safety and Health Topics for Research

• Health Implications of Air Quality: A Comprehensive Study
• Assessing Occupational Hazards in the Mining Industry
• Water Quality and Public Health: An Interdisciplinary Study
• Developing Safety Protocols in the Chemical Industry
• Exploring the Nexus Between Climate Change and Vector-Borne Diseases
• Managing Safety and Health in the Construction Industry
• Radioactive Pollution: Risks and Mitigation Strategies
• Effects of Noise Pollution on Human Health
• Biosecurity Measures in Agriculture: Policies and Implementation
• Assessing Risks of Genetically Modified Organisms to Human Health
• Exposure to Heavy Metals: Health Risks and Regulatory Standards
• Quantifying Health Impacts of Industrial Pollutants
• Food Safety in a Changing Climate: Challenges and Solutions
• Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases: A Detailed Study
• Developing Protocols for Hazardous Waste Management
• Assessing the Health Effects of Microplastics Exposure
• Understanding Health Risks of Pesticide Exposure in Agriculture
• Psychosocial Factors and Safety Culture in the Oil and Gas Industry
• Health Impact Assessment of Nuclear Energy Facilities

Environmental Engineering Topics for Research

• Innovative Techniques in Wastewater Treatment
• Biofuel Production: Process Optimization and Scale-Up Challenges
• Advancements in Water Desalination Technologies
• Novel Materials for Photovoltaic Cells
• Harnessing Energy From Tidal and Wave Power: Engineering Challenges
• Biodegradable Materials for Sustainable Packaging Solutions
• Remediation Techniques for Contaminated Soil
• Carbon Capture and Storage: Technological Developments
• Improving Efficiency of Wind Turbines: A Technical Review
• Sustainable Construction Materials: A Life Cycle Analysis
• Geotechnical Considerations for Offshore Wind Farms
• Green Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Environmental Applications
• Advanced Oxidation Processes for Water Treatment
• Modeling and Optimization of Landfill Gas Recovery
• Acid Mine Drainage: Mitigation Strategies and Techniques
• Environmental Biotechnology: Harnessing Microbes for Pollution Control
• Heat Transfer in Energy Efficient Buildings: An Analysis
• Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites for Construction Applications
• Sustainable Approaches to Pavement Design and Materials
• Developing Energy Efficient Processes in Chemical Industries

Research Topics for Environmental Biology

• Unraveling Symbiotic Relationships in Coral Reefs
• Genetic Diversity and Conservation: An Interdisciplinary Approach
• Decoding the Functioning of Biofilms in Environmental Systems
• Plant-Soil Interactions in Changing Climate Scenarios
• Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Bioremediation
• Eco-Immunology: Exploring Disease Dynamics in Wildlife Populations
• Plant Adaptation Strategies to Abiotic Stress Factors
• Marine Microbial Ecology: Unseen Life in the Oceans
• Metagenomics Approaches in Soil Microbial Ecology
• Understanding Invasive Species: Genetic and Ecological Perspectives
• Examining Trophic Interactions Under Climate Change
• Phylogenetic Analysis of Endangered Species for Conservation Strategies
• Genomics of Extremophiles: Survival in Harsh Environments
• Investigating Effects of Plastic Pollutants on Aquatic Life
• Landscape Genetics: Applications in Conservation Biology
• Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Plant Responses to Heavy Metal Stress
• Disease Dynamics in Pollinator Populations
• Functional Traits in Community Ecology: A Novel Approach
• Metabolic Engineering for Biofuel Production

Environmental Law Topics for Research

• Environmental Justice in Land Use Planning: A Legal Perspective
• Assessing Regulatory Frameworks for Carbon Markets
• International Law and Marine Plastic Pollution: A Comprehensive Analysis
• Enforcement Challenges in Wildlife Trafficking Laws
• Analysis of Climate Change Litigation: Global Trends
• Understanding the Legal Aspects of Transboundary Water Conflicts
• Legal Frameworks for the Conservation of Migratory Species
• Analysis of Environmental Impact Assessment Laws Across Countries
• Regulating Genetically Modified Organisms: A Comparative Legal Study
• Corporate Environmental Responsibility: Legal and Ethical Dimensions
• Evaluating Legal Mechanisms for Marine Protected Areas
• Exploring Legal Implications of Geoengineering Techniques
• Regulatory Challenges in the Transition to Renewable Energy
• Forest Rights and Conservation: A Legal Analysis
• Legal Frameworks for the Protection of Indigenous Environmental Knowledge
• Laws Regulating Hazardous Waste Management: A Comparative Study
• Legal Implications of Ecological Restoration Projects
• Regulation of Pesticides: Balancing Health and Environmental Concerns
• Legal Instruments for Regulating Noise Pollution: An Overview
• Analysis of International Agreements on Biodiversity Conservation

Environmental Research Topics About Economics

• Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services: A Critical Review
• Economic Analysis of Climate Change Mitigation Strategies
• Socioeconomic Drivers of Deforestation: A Comprehensive Study
• Green Growth: Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Countries
• Assessing the Economic Viability of Renewable Energy Sources
• Economic Incentives for Biodiversity Conservation: An Overview
• Incorporating Environmental Costs in Product Pricing: A Case Study
• Investigating the Economics of Carbon Capture and Storage
• Market-Based Instruments for Pollution Control: A Detailed Analysis
• Economic Impacts of Natural Disasters: A Global Perspective
• Analysis of Cap-and-Trade Systems for Carbon Emissions
• Investigating the Effectiveness of Environmental Taxes
• Economic Analysis of Sustainable Agriculture Practices
• Assessing the Economic Feasibility of Biofuel Production
• Economic Implications of Water Scarcity: A Cross-Country Analysis
• Transition to a Circular Economy: Economic and Policy Considerations
• Economics of Sustainable Urban Development: A Detailed Study
• Cost-Benefit Analysis of Green Building Techniques
• Economic Impacts of Coastal Erosion and Sea Level Rise

Environmental History Research Topics

• Perception of Climate Change: A Historical Analysis
• Amazon Rainforest’s Environmental History Unraveled
• Consequences of the Agricultural Revolution on Environment: A Detailed Study
• United States Environmental Movements: An Historical Exploration
• Influence of the Industrial Revolution on Modern Environmental Challenges
• Green Spaces in Urban Planning: A History of Urban Parks
• Global Patterns and Causes of Deforestation: A Historical Overview
• Insights From Paleoclimatology: Climate Variability in Historical Context
• Arctic Exploration and Its Environmental History
• The Emergence of Environmental Law: A Historical Understanding
• From Fossil Fuels to Renewables: A History of Energy Transition
• River Management and Conservation: Historical Perspectives
• Lessons for Climate Change Adaptation From The Dust Bowl History
• Causes and Consequences of Marine Pollution: A Historical Analysis
• Natural Resource Exploitation in Colonial Periods: A Historical Overview
• Forest Management Practices: Historical Insights
• Endangered Species Conservation: Understanding the Historical Context
• Environmental Implications of Pesticide Use: A Historical Analysis
• Nuclear Age: Unraveling Its Environmental History

Controversial Environmental Research Topics

• Genetically Modified Crops: Environmental Savior or Biohazard?
• Nuclear Energy: A Sustainable Solution or Environmental Risk?
• Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Environmental Consequences
• Climate Change Denial: Analyzing the Motives and Consequences
• Geoengineering Solutions for Climate Change: Promise or Peril?
• Anthropocene: Valid Geological Epoch or Human Egotism?
• Intensive Animal Farming: Environmental Concerns and Ethical Dilemmas
• De-extinction and Its Potential Ecological Consequences
• Plastic Waste Management: Incineration vs. Recycling
• Neonicotinoids and Bee Decline: Assessing the Controversy
• Economic Growth vs. Environmental Protection: Reconciling the Dichotomy
• Landfilling vs. Zero Waste Approach: A Comparative Study
• Ocean Fertilization as a Carbon Sequestration Strategy
• E-Waste Management: Export or Domestic Recycling?
• Noise Pollution: Overlooked Environmental Hazard or Nuisance Issue?
• Fast Fashion Industry and Its Environmental Footprint
• Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Management: Boon or Bane?
• Palm Oil Production and Biodiversity Loss: A Complex Connection
• Desalination Plants: Solution for Water Scarcity or Ecological Threat?

Persuasive Environmental Research Topics

• Promoting Green Energy Transition: Evaluating Success Stories
• Waste Segregation at Source: An Essential Step Toward Effective Waste Management
• Adoption of Organic Farming for Sustainable Agriculture
• Nature-Based Solutions: An Underutilized Tool in Climate Change Mitigation
• Changing Consumer Behavior for Sustainable Fashion
• Shifting to Public Transportation: A Key to Urban Sustainability
• Coral Reef Protection: Strategies and Success Stories
• Green Building: A Must for Sustainable Urban Development
• Incorporation of Environmental Education Into School Curriculum
• The Shift From Fast to Slow Fashion: Need of the Hour
• Afforestation as a Natural Climate Solution: Examining Its Potential
• Promoting Circular Economy: A Way Forward for Waste Reduction
• Divestment From Fossil Fuels: An Imperative Climate Action
• Supporting Indigenous Knowledge for Biodiversity Conservation
• Plant-Based Diet: A Strategy for Reducing Carbon Footprint
• Urban Green Spaces: Essential for Human Wellbeing and Biodiversity
• Adoption of Electric Vehicles: A Key to Reduce Carbon Emissions
• Reducing Single-Use Plastics: A Critical Move Toward Sustainability
• Transitioning to Sustainable Fishing Practices: A Global Priority
• Decentralized Renewable Energy Systems: A Solution for Energy Access and Climate Mitigation

Argumentative Environmental Research Topics

• Dams and Hydroelectric Power: Net Gain or Loss for the Environment?
• Wind Energy: Assessing Arguments Around Bird Mortality
• Population Control: Necessary Environmental Strategy or Human Rights Violation?
• International Trade and Its Environmental Consequences
• Arguments Around Carbon Trading and Its Efficacy
• Trophy Hunting: Conservation Strategy or Ecological Disaster?
• Marine Protected Areas: Effective Conservation or Displacement of Fishing Pressure?
• Arguments For and Against Climate Change Geoengineering
• Food Waste: Ethical, Environmental, and Economic Implications
• GMOs and Biodiversity: Assessing Potential Risks
• Arguments Surrounding Water Fluoridation: An Environmental Perspective
• Ecotourism: Sustainable Practice or Threat to Wild Areas?
• Carbon Capture and Storage: Viable Solution or Costly Distraction?
• Deep Sea Mining: Economic Opportunity or Ecological Risk?
• Aquaculture: Solution to Overfishing or New Environmental Problem?
• Arguments For and Against Biofuels as a Green Energy Source
• Fusion Energy: Future of Clean Energy or Pipe Dream?
• Debate Around the Environmental Effects of Cryptocurrency Mining
• Environmental Implications of Space Travel and Exploration

Research Topics for Environmental Debates

• Pros and Cons of Solar Geoengineering as a Climate Solution
• Arguments Surrounding the Use of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
• Land Rights vs. Conservation: Examining the Debate
• Debate Around Large-Scale Reforestation and Natural Forest Regrowth
• Investigating the Controversy Over Invasive Species Control
• Environmental Justice in Waste Management: A Heated Debate
• Nuclear Power in the Age of Renewable Energy: An Ongoing Debate
• Controversy and Debate Surrounding Carbon Taxes
• Debating the Effects of Air Travel on Climate Change
• Green New Deal: Revolution or Unrealistic Ambition?
• The Controversy Around Synthetic Meat: Environmental Savior or Unproven Experiment?
• Analyzing the Debate Surrounding E-Waste Export Policies
• Understanding the Ongoing GMO Labeling Debate
• Debates Around Solar Energy and Land Use
• Animal Rights vs. Conservation: Unpacking the Conflict
• Exploring the Controversial Intersection of Environmentalism and Immigration
• Debate Over Ocean Acidification and Its Effects on Marine Life
• Investigating the Debate on the Environmental Impact of Veganism
• Analyzing the Controversy Over Urban Vertical Farming
• Debate Surrounding Environmental Cost of Electric vs. Gasoline Cars

To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles

293 good nutrition research topics & ideas, 801 chemistry research topics & interesting ideas.

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Understanding ecosystems for a sustainable future, search form.

Visitors: The SERC campus is open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-5:30pm. We're closed Sundays and federal holidays. Please do a health self-check before arriving, and stay home if feeling sick. Read Plan Your Visit for information on where to park, updated maps and hours, safety, and more.

Our trails are closed due to downed debris from a recent storm. For your safety, please do not hike the trails until further notice. We appreciate your patience while we work to clear the debris.

In the event of a government shutdown, SERC will remain OPEN for our normal Monday - Saturday hours through at least Saturday, October 7, by using prior year funds. Visit si.edu for updates.

The Woodlawn History Center is open Friday and Saturday, 10:00am - 2:00pm. Read Plan Your Visit for information on where to park, updated maps, safety, and more.

• Strategic Goals
• Advisory Board
• Corporate Leaders Program
• Director's Letter
• SERC Newsletter
• SERC Newsletter Signup

Research Topics

• Laboratories
• Publications
• Research Around the Globe
• Coastal Carbon Network
• Ecological Genomics Core
• Technology in Ecology
• Environmental Data
• National Ballast Information Clearinghouse
• On-site School Programs
• On-site Group Programs
• Volunteer in Education
• Professional Development & Science Courses
• Learning Resources
• Virtual Field Trips & Talks
• Job Opportunities
• Visiting Scientists and Research Associates
• Internships and Fellowships
• Plan Your Visit
• Calendar of Events
• Maps and Trails
• Evening Lectures
• Woodlawn History Center
• SERC Fact Sheet
• Find an Expert
• Image Gallery
• News Releases
• SERC In The News
• Smithsonian Statement on Responding to Climate Change
• Science Writing Internships
• Why Do We Call It Participatory Science?
• Volunteer Projects
• Annual Reports
• Sign Up For The Email List
• Shorelines Blog
• SERC YouTube Channel
• Meeting Spaces & Housing

Research at SERC focuses on the coastal zone. Nearly 70 percent of the world's people live in a coastal zone. Coasts are some of the most diverse, life-giving ecosystems on Earth, but they're also under intense pressure from climate change, invasive species, and other major environmental impacts. SERC scientists research coasts around the world and run studies that can last decades. Explore the topics below to learn more about SERC's main areas of research.

Biodiversity & Conservation

Biological Invasions

Ecosystems Ecology

Environmental Pollution

Global Change

History & Archaeology

Parasite & Disease Ecology

Watersheds & Land Use

Research Topics

• Conducting Research
• Our Funding
• Researcher Profiles
• Site and Facilities
• Current Research
• Research Policies
• Data Archive
• GIS & Maps
• Sample Archive
• Remote Sensing
• History of the Harvard Forest Archives
• Research Publications
• Annual Reports
• Books for Sale
• Science & Policy Integration Project
• Program on Conservation Innovation
• Wildlands & Woodlands
• HF Land Management
• Sustainable Working Landscapes
• Bullard Fellowships
• Graduate Students
• Undergraduate Students
• LTER Student Research Funding
• Field Trips
• K-12 & Schoolyard LTER
• Volunteering
• In the Media
• Featured Projects
• Arts @ Harvard Forest
• Past News & Highlights
• Tours & Conferences
• Fisher Museum
• Trails & Recreation
• Accessibility
• Greater Harvard Forest Community
• Mission & Values
• Affiliations
• Harvard Forest and the Petersham Community
• Indigenous Community Partnerships
• Diversity and Inclusion Statement
• Harvard Forest Code of Conduct
• Harvard Forest Strategic Plan (2020-2025)
• Give to Harvard Forest

Search form

You are here.

• International Research Projects
• Large Experiments and Permanent Plot Studies
• Regional Studies
• Biodiversity Studies
• Conservation and Management
• Climate and Carbon Exchange
• Ecological Informatics and Modelling
• Environmental Justice
• Historical and Retrospective Studies
• Invasive Plants, Pests and Pathogens
• Physiological Ecology, Population Dynamics, and Species Interactions
• Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
• Watershed Ecology

Since 1907, the Harvard Forest has served as a center for research and education in forest biology and conservation. The Forest's Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program , established in 1988 and funded by the National Science Foundation, provides a framework for much of this activity.

Browse the topics below for an overview of Harvard Forest research by category, or explore short abstracts of current research findings .

Major Research Topics

Experimental Scale

The Harvard Forest is a department of Harvard University's Faculty of Arts & Sciences and a member of the U.S. LTER Network supported by the National Science Foundation . Learn More about Our funders .

©2021 The President and Fellows of Harvard College . All rights reserved. Faculty of Arts and Sciences  of  Harvard University Harvard University Digital Accessibility Policy

Harvard Forest 324 North Main Street Petersham, MA 01366-9504 Tel          (978) 724-3302

Fax         (978) 724-3595

Harvard Forest Weather

Current Conditions & Data

Google Maps & Directions

Stay Connected

• f Follow us on Facebook
• t Follow @HarvardForest on Twitter
• i Follow @harvard.forest on Instagram
• f Subscribe via RSS
• e Sign up for our quarterly e-news

Top 100 Environmental Science Project Topics

Table of contents

• 1 Climate Change
• 2 Renewable Energy
• 3 Urban Ecology
• 4 Land and Water Use
• 5 Pollution
• 6 Environmental Science Topics for College Students
• 7 Energy Resources and Consumption
• 8 Population
• 9 Noise and Light Pollution
• 10.1 Conclusion

With the environment and global warming in its current predicament, it’s no surprise that environmental science job opportunities will be on the rise in the very near future.

With the environment and global warming in its current predicament, it’s no surprise that environmental science job opportunities will be on the rise in the very near future. Therefore, so are the numbers of students pursuing studies in this field. The last four decades have seen huge changes in the rate of global warming and so more than ever before, we need people to study topics in environmental science.

For anyone majoring in environmental science, anyone needing to write  environmental studies project topics for a science course, or essay writer who is working on topical essays this comprehensive article will talk you through the top ten project topics to pursue. For each project topic, we’ll give you ten ideas.

Climate Change

There’ll always be an environment, but it’s looking more and more likely that it won’t be like our current one in the future. With this in mind, here are the top ten environmental project topics for college students on climate change:

• Is global warming a natural phenomenon?
• The politicization of global warming.
• How do eddy covariance towers work?
• Planetary tilt – does it affect global warming?
• The differences between climate change and the greenhouse effect.
• Why is carbon dioxide a greenhouse gas?
• How do changes to weather patterns affect the Earth’s climate?
• The concept of polar amplification.
• The barriers to climate change responses.
• The “heat island” effect.

Renewable Energy

Our advances through the industrial revolution and the use of fossil fuels are now coming back to bite us. Here are ten environmental topics for project on renewable energy:

• The pros and cons of hydropower.
• Solar energy and pollution.
• Solar energy to help the economy.
• Geothermal energy: an unlikely major energy source?
• The problems caused by renewable energies.
• Understanding geothermal energy.
• Are hydrogen fuel cells a viable alternative?
• The advantages and disadvantages of solar power.
• Transporting geothermal energy: a study.
• The challenges of large-scale biomass energy use.

Urban Ecology

Urban ecology is an important consideration for environmental science projects for college students who are eager to pay for essay to receive high grades for assignments. When we study the environment, we tend to think of green spaces and rural lands, but urban ecology is important too. As such, here are ten environmental science project ideas on this topic:

• How do unequal urban planning and greenspace distribution affect temperatures in a city?
• How does urbanization affect surrounding rural areas?
• How is the local climate affected by buildings and pavements?
• What is the urban heat island effect?
• How are water sources affected by urbanization?
• How has human development affected our green spaces?
• How is social identity linked to urbanization?
• What impact does transport have on rural locations?
• How can the natural environment be integrated into urban planning and design projects?
• What is water harvesting?

Land and Water Use

When humans use natural resources, they also disrupt natural ecosystems. This is an important area of study as we try to claw back and save some of the world’s resources from being entirely depleted. Here are ten interesting  environment related topics for project on this subject:

• How have overfishing and non-sustainable fishing methods affected our oceans?
• How does using water for irrigation affect natural ecosystems?
• The impacts of different societies’ ecological footprints in terms of waste production and resource demands.
• How can we mitigate deforestation?
• An analysis of The Green Revolution.
• The impact of salt application to streams.
• How does using an ANN (artificial neural network) for rainfall-runoff affect ecosystems?
• How do land-use changes impact urban runoff?
• Relationships between water quality, land use and land use change.
• Land use effects on lake water quality.

Pollution is one of the planet and humanity’s worst enemies. Agriculture, transportation, and industry can cause horrific environmental catastrophes. Check out the possible environment science project topics on pollution:

• The impact of pollution on health care.
• The effects of environmental pollution and water pollution on marine life.
• The effects of air pollution on the food chain.
• How environmental pollution affects Arctic.
• The health hazards associated with waste accumulation and water pollution.
• How do human activities change the world’s oceans?
• Conservation and how it helps to reduce air pollution.
• The difficulty of establishing direct links between health problems, air pollution, and air quality.
• Environmental policy regarding air pollution and acid rain.
• The effect of acid rain in urban and natural areas.

Environmental Science Topics for College Students

Environmental studies at college is all about studying in-depth biological, chemical, and physical processes on Earth. Environmental sciences also incorporates social, cultural, and political processes that have an impact. When studying Environmental Science at college level, a project need to seek out ways to present complex relationships in a simple way. Here are some ideal environmental science projects for college students:

• Genetically Modified (GM) foods and their impact on the environment.
• The global impact of radiation and nuclear accidents.
• The role of the UNEP in environmental conservation.
• The impact of freak weather incidents.
• Micro-plastics in drinking water – why and how have they got there?
• The Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombings – what have we learned about nuclear bombs and the effects on the ecosystem?
• The impact of Coronavirus and maintaining the ecosystem.
• The role of the media in conservation campaigns.
• Tourism and the impact of human activities on a local and global level.
• How has the US departure from the Paris Climate Agreement changed things?

Energy Resources and Consumption

Lots of  environmental studies project topics goes into looking at energy resources and consumption, which makes this a great project topic. There is already a lot of information out there, which makes this easy to research.

• What is the relationship between energy efficiency and energy conservation?
• What are the economic, social, and environmental costs of solar energy?
• Was coal pivotal in industrialization?
• The impact of fracking on the environment.
• Compare and contrast the processes of extracting oil and mining coal.
• How is ethanol produced as a biofuel?
• Nuclear energy is a viable clean energy. Discuss.
• The environmental effects of a nuclear conflict explored.
• What is plant biomass?
• The challenges of converting to large-scale biomass energy.

You can't write a list environment project topics  about environmental science, without mentioning population, environmental health, and the changes we've seen over the years. A lot of environment research focuses on population and its effects. Here are some ideas:

• Population growth and its effects on GDP.
• Factors that control population growth and the effect of density.
• An exploration of population momentum.
• The importance of studying population ecology.
• The effect of human migration on populations.
• The effects of overpopulation.
• The effects of global warming on the global population.
• Is sustainable development possible in a growing population?
• What would happen if the demand for natural resources became greater than the supply?
• How serious is the world population explosion?

Noise and Light Pollution

Though lots of people don’t consider light and noise as pollutants, the reality is that they are. Noise levels and light levels can affect organisms. Here are some interesting topics for science projects on noise and light pollution:

• How is local wildlife affected by airport noise?
• What happens if orcas aren’t able to use echolocation due to freight noise?
• Migrating birds and the confusion from bright lights.
• The effect of bright lights in resorts and sea turtles emerging from nests.
• How bright city lights affect nocturnal animals.
• The disruption of nocturnal activity in frogs and toads due to artificial light glare.
• Artificial lights and the effects on migratory birds.
• Light pollution and the effects on plants.
• Changes in animal behavior due to noise pollution.
• Noise pollution and the effects on mating frogs.

Conservation Biology

With as many as 2,000 species becoming extinct each year, we’re experiencing a serious problem. Conservation biology is a huge topic of interest when you need to " write my essay " and want to succeed with this task. Here are some ideas for exploration:

• How has human behavior ramped up endangered species extinction rates?
• How do humans threaten endangered species?
• What will the effects of a loss in biodiversity be for humans?
• If honeybees become extinct, what other changes would we see?
• Why is the decline in pollinating insects so dangerous?
• What happens if we lose endangered species?
• What is the Holocene extinction event?
• The collapse of the world’s coral reef ecosystems.
• The threat of acidification in our oceans.
• How can environmental policy help threats to biodiversity?

It's clear to say that there is a huge variety in topics in environmental science. For anyone looking for an environmental science project topic, we hope this extensive list has helped narrow down your ideas. Whether you're looking for environmental research topics for college students or high school, there is something for everyone here.

Readers also enjoyed

WHY WAIT? PLACE AN ORDER RIGHT NOW!

Just fill out the form, press the button, and have no worries!

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy.

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy

• A Research Guide
• Research Paper Topics

40 Environmental Topics for a Research Paper

• The US miles per gallon standard in comparison with the standards in other countries. Why the difference is so big?
• The importance of Antarcticice and unique biosphere. Conservation of Antarctic
• The types of the clouds, the causes of their formation and the importance of the different clouds
• Biomes and Ecosystems. What is considered a biome? Can the new biome types emerge in the future?
• Acid rains. Are they something solely connected to the industrial activities of the humanity?
• Prehistoric wildlife and its role in the development of the future ecosystems
• Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters. Their impact on the ecology of the entire planet
• The importance of coral reefs and the consequences of their possible extinction
• Green energy. Is it really green? How can it impact the ecology of the planet?
• Can humanity actually benefit the Earth or shall we talk about minimising the harm only?
• Tectonic movements. Can they impact the ecosystems?
• Global warming: is it caused by humanity or is just a part of a natural cycle of the Earth?
• Endangered species: why does humanity try to prevent their extinction?
• Is extinction a natural thing? Shall we, as humans interfere into this process?
• Deep Sea Mining: is it safe enough for the oceans?
• The consequences of deforestation: can planting the new trees still help?
• The importance of the Gulfstream. Doesthis current change with time?
• Global warming and glaciers: what can happen if they melt?
• National parks: are they really important at global scale?
• Greenpeace organisation and its role in preserving the global ecology
• The main causes of groundwater contamination and the risks connected with it
• The endemic wildlife. Why  isit so unique?
• What is little ice age and what impact it may have on the climate?
• Reinforcing the ozone layer: is it possible?
• The idea of sustainable consumption: to what extentcan we implement it into the real life?
• Tropical rainforests and their importance for the atmosphere
• Oil industry and oil pollution. Can oil be useful for the ecosystem?
• Volcanoes and their activity. The role of volcanoes in development of the modern Earth
• Seasonal weather changed in different regions. How the local ecosystems deal with them?
• Spreading of the deserts. Is it reversible? The impact of desert spreading on the local wildlife
• Water management in the U.S. Do we still have enough water?
• The distribution of the resources on Earth. Are plentiful resources always better than scarce ones?
• The industry of recycling:a business or a way of saving the planet?
• Natural and artificial radioactivity: can the life on Earth get used to radiation?
• The possible future of evolution: what will happen to theecosystems in 10 000 years?
• Paleoecology: what can we learn from the past?
• Greenhouse effect: how canthe humanity harness it?
• The life in extreme conditions: how did they manage to survive?
• Forest fires and renewal of the forests: how does the ecosystem cope with the disaster?
• Ponds and lakes: the big importance of small water bodies

By clicking "Log In", you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We'll occasionally send you account related and promo emails.

Sign Up for your FREE account

Forget about ChatGPT and get quality content right away.

• Environmental Science
• Introduction
• Scientific Principles
• Species, Populations, Communities
• Human Population
• Environmental Toxins
• Food and Agriculture
• Global Climate Change
• Air Pollution
• Water Pollution
• Non-Renewable Energy
• Renewable Energy
• Environmental History and Laws
• Answer Keys and Test Bank
• Current Events Articles
• Planet Earth Series
• Blue Planet Series
• Life in the Freezer Series

Site Navigation

• Anatomy & Physiology

Topic Search

Email me or visit my LinkedIn profile .

Teacher Resources

Looking to save time on your lesson planning and assessment design?

Answer keys and a test bank can be accessed for a paid subscription.

Environmental Science Research Topics

Environmental science is a course that offers a huge variety of topics for research papers and presentations. The list provided here has been specifically crafted for student topics in an introduction to environmental science course, but certainly could apply to many other classes as well. The research topics are organized according to specific units in the course. Each environmental science research topic has been paired with a documentary, mass-market book, or research publication providing a detailed analysis of the issue. Click on the unit to see the research topics available and suggestions for sources.

For additional research, try the Environmental Science Current Events search page . This is a custom Google search that only queries highly-regarded environmental science news sites.

Habitats and Biodiversity | Human Demographics | Food and Agriculture | Environmental Health

Global Warming | Air Pollution | Water Pollution | Fossil Fuels | Nuclear Energy | Waste

Habitats and Biodiversity

Amazon deforestation.

Sources: Planet Earth - Jungles [Video]                 Deforesting the Earth: From Prehistory to Global Crisis, Chapter 11.

Summary:  The Amazon is 5.7 million square kilometers and the largest continuous rainforest in the entire world.  Since 1970, 1/6 of the Amazon has been cleared, mainly for beef, and increasingly for ethanol production.  While techniques such as slash-and-burn provide a short-term boost in agricultural production, rainforest soil typically is very thin and does not support this type of agriculture over the long term.

The Black Rat - A Worldwide Invasive Species

Sources:   Rat Island: Predators in Paradise

Summary:  The Rattus Rattus, or black rat, is one of the first and most widespread invasive species. It is native to India, but it has spread to almost everywhere in the world. This rat has directly caused, or contributed to, the extinction of multiple wildlife species including a variety of birds, plants and other small mammals. They’re blamed for the incredible decline in seabirds on several islands, including many Pacific island species.  Additionally, the rats are indirectly the cause of the spread of the Bubonic plague throughout Europe during the Middle Ages.

Easter Island Deforestation

Sources: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Succeed or Fail, Chapter 2.

Summary:  Easter Island is most famous for the large moai , or statues with disproportionately large heads.  The presence of these statues seems to indicate a renaissance-like period for the native people. However, in 1722, a Dutch explorer made contact with the inhabitants of the island.  He described the island as barren, with virtually no trees and minimal agriculture.  The inhabitants seemed to be struggling to survive.  By the time Captain Cook arrived in 1774, many of the statues had been toppled and the population had dropped to 630. 

Coral Reef Destruction

Sources: Blue Planet - Coral Seas [Video]                 A Reef in Time: The Great Barrier Reef from Beginning to End;                Chapters 2-4, 13-16.

Summary:  Of all the marine ecosystems, coral reefs have the greatest concentration of biodiversity. These rich and complex ecosystems are also among the most at risk.   The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has been predicted to be functionally extinct by 2050.  While some of this destruction is due to tourism and poaching, there are also links to global warming and its effects on the ocean – from temperature increases to change in water pH levels.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Please click here to see any active alerts .

Environmental Topics

Epa environmental topics.

EPA's environmental topics guides you to the most popular pages in your topic of interest.

Find EPA Articles and News Releases related to popular topics.

Search the  A-Z Topic Index  for specific terms.

• Kreyòl ayisyen

• Criteria (NAAQS) Air Pollutants
• Particulate Matter (PM)
• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Chemicals, Pesticides, and Toxics

• Chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
• Formaldehyde
• Managing Chemical Risks
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Chemicals, Pesticides, and Toxics Topics

Environmental Information by Location

• Cleanups in My Community
• Environmental Justice in Your Community
• Radon Zones: Maps and Supporting Documents by State
• Toxic Chemical Releases

More Location-Specific Info

Greener Living

• Energy and the Environment
• Greener Products and Services
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Sustainability 

Greener Living Topics

• Children's Health Protection  
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Endocrine Disruption
• Human Health Risk Assessment
• Pesticides and Food: Healthy, Sensible Food Practices

Health Topics

Land, Waste, and Cleanup

• Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
• Learn About Hazardous Waste

Land, Waste, and Cleanup Topics

• Citizen Science for Environmental Protection
• Climate Change Indicators
• Environmental Measurements and Modeling
• EPA Science Models and Research Tools (SMaRT) Search
• Research at EPA
• Research Grants

More Science Topics

• Drinking Water Basics
• Lakes and Rivers
• Local Water Quality Reports
• National Aquatic Resource Surveys 
• Wastewater Treatment

Water Topics

More Environmental Topics

• Climate Change
• Children's Health
• Environmental Justice
• ​ Pesticides

EPA Articles and News Releases

Recent EPA Perspectives Articles:

Supporting the Cancer Moonshot Effort at EPA

I learned that one of the best ways to fight cancer is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. EPA supports the Cancer Moonshot effort by understanding and preventing toxic and environmental exposures and preventing more cancers before they start.

• Date: April 4, 2024
• By: Danelle Lobdell

Acting Upstream for Creek and Community

A common threat to streams is runoff from heavy rains that cause floods, wearing away at riverbanks. Across the country, the Green Infrastructure program works with communities to address the effects of stormwater runoff through a variety of programs.

• Date: March 27, 2024
• By: Jake Krauss

Fifty Years Later

I viscerally remember what it felt like to walk through the dark entrance halls, turn a corner and then stop before the spectacular Giant Ocean Tank. I was able to connect these visits, 50 years apart, in my head and heart, in ways I never had before. 

• Date: March 11, 2024
• By: David Cash

Recent EPA News Releases:

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Biden-Harris Administration Takes Critical Action to Protect 100 Million People from PFAS Pollution in Drinking Water

EPA News Release: WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Biden-Harris Administration Takes Critical Action to Protect 100 Million People from PFAS Pollution in Drinking Water

• Release Date: April 16, 2024

EPA Highlights Air Pollution Monitoring Project in Buffalo, New York

EPA News Release: EPA Highlights Air Pollution Monitoring Project in Buffalo, New York

EPA Announces $84 Million Great Lakes Cleanup Project in Rouge River Near Detroit to Begin in April

EPA News Release: EPA Announces $84 Million Great Lakes Cleanup Project in Rouge River Near Detroit to Begin in April

EPA and State of New Jersey Propose Settlement that will provide nearly $19 million for the Riverside Industrial Park Superfund Site in Newark, New Jersey

EPA News Release: EPA and State of New Jersey Propose Settlement that will provide nearly $19 million for the Riverside Industrial Park Superfund Site in Newark, New Jersey

48 Best Colleges for Environmental Science – 2024

April 16, 2024

Every environmental science program will include a dose of basic math, science, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. After all, tackling issues as massive as climate change and preserving our scarce natural resources will require an interdisciplinary effort. What separates the wheat from the chaff (you’ll learn this procedure in an Agronomy class) are the program’s hands-on offerings, study abroad opportunities, and expert faculty. Additionally, the best colleges for environmental science prepare students to be great communicators, writers, and problem-solvers so that they can better influence policy-makers to help make the earth a sustainable place.

Along your way toward earning your undergraduate degree, you may wish to specialize in a particular area such as: Biodiversity and Evolution, Ecology and Conservation, or just pure Environmental Science. You’ll likely encounter coursework in environmental policy, global change, physical geology, genetics and evolution, anatomy, sustainability, vertebrate morphology, ecology, and more.

Methodology 

Click here to read our methodology for the Best Colleges for Environmental Science Majors.

Best Colleges for Environmental Science

Here’s a quick preview of the first ten institutions that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.

1) Northwestern University

2) Johns Hopkins University

3) Duke University

4) Brown University

5) University of California-Davis

6) University of California-Berkeley

7) Columbia University

8) University of Virginia

9) Dartmouth College

10) Rice University

All of the schools profiled below have stellar reputations in the field of environmental science and commit substantial resources to undergraduate education. For each of the Best Colleges for Environmental Science, College Transitions will provide you with—when available—each school’s:

• Cost of Attendance
• Acceptance Rate
• Median  SAT
• Median  ACT
• Retention Rate
• Graduation Rate

We will also include a longer write-up of each college’s:

• Academic Highlights – Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
• Professional Outcomes – Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.

Northwestern University

• Evanston, IL

Academic Highlights : Northwestern is home to six undergraduate schools, including Medill, which is widely regarded as one of the country’s best journalism schools. The McCormick School of Engineering also achieves top rankings, along with programs in economics, social policy, and theatre. The social sciences account for the greatest number of degrees conferred (19%), followed by communications/journalism (13%), and engineering (11%). 45% of classes have nine or fewer students enrolled; 78% have fewer than twenty enrollees. 57% of recent grads had the chance to conduct undergraduate research.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 69% of the Class of 2022 had found employment and 27% were in graduate school. The four most popular professional fields were consulting (18%), engineering (18%), business/finance (16%), and communications/marketing/media (13%). Employers included the BBC, NBC News, The Washington Post , NPR, Boeing, Google, IBM, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Northrop Grumman, and Goldman Sachs. Across all majors, the average starting salary was $73k. Of those headed straight to graduate school, engineering, medicine, and business were the three most popular areas of concentration.

• Enrollment: 8,659 (undergraduate); 14,073 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $91,290
• Median SAT: 1530
• Median ACT: 34
• Acceptance Rate: 7%
• Retention Rate: 98%
• Graduation Rate: 97%

Johns Hopkins University

• Baltimore, MD

Academic Highlights: With 53 majors as well as 51 minors, JHU excels in everything from its bread-and-butter medical-related majors to international relations and dance. Boasting an enviable 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and with 78% of course sections possessing an enrollment under 20, face time with professors is a reality. Many departments carry a high level of clout, including biomedical engineering, chemistry, English, and international studies. Biology, neuroscience, and computer science, which happen to be the three most popular majors, can also be found at the top of the national rankings.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 saw 94% of graduates successfully land at their next destination within six months of exiting the university; 66% of graduates entered the world of employment and a robust 19% went directly to graduate/professional school. The median starting salary across all majors was $80,000 for the Class of 2022. JHU itself is the most popular choice for graduate school. The next most frequently attended institutions included Columbia, Harvard, Yale, and MIT.

• Enrollment: 6,044
• Cost of Attendance: $86,065
• Median SAT: 1540
• Median ACT: 35
• Retention Rate: 97%
• Graduation Rate: 95%

Duke University

Academic Highlights: The academic offerings at Duke include 53 majors, 52 minors, and 23 interdisciplinary certificates. Class sizes are on the small side—71% are nineteen or fewer, and almost one-quarter are less than ten. A stellar 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio helps keep classes so reasonable even while catering to five figures worth of graduate students. Computer Science is the most popular area of concentration (11%), followed by economics (10%), public policy (9%), biology (8%), and computer engineering (7%).

Professional Outcomes: At graduation, approximately 70% of Duke diploma-earners enter the world of work, 20% continue into graduate schools, and 2% start their own businesses. The industries that attract the largest percentage of Blue Devils are tech (21%), finance (15%), business (15%), healthcare (9%), and science/research (6%). Of the 20% headed into graduate school, a hefty 22% are attending medical school, 18% are in PhD programs, and 12% are entering law school. The med school acceptance rate is 85%, more than twice the national average.

• Enrollment: 6,640
• Cost of Attendance: $85,238
• SAT Range: 1490-1570
• ACT Range: 34-35
• Acceptance Rate: 6%

Brown University

• Providence, RI

Academic Highlights: Students must choose one of 80+ “concentration programs,” but there are no required courses. Class sizes tend to be small—68% have fewer than twenty students—and 35% are comprised of nine or fewer students. Biology, economics, computer science, mathematics, and engineering are among the most popular areas of concentration at Brown; however, it is hard to distinguish any one program, because Brown possesses outstanding offerings across so many disciplines.

Professional Outcomes: Soon after receiving their Brown diplomas, 69% of graduates enter the world of employment. Companies employing the greatest number of Brown alums include Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Morgan Stanley, Apple, McKinsey & Company, and Bain & Company. The Class of 2022 saw 27% of graduates go directly into graduate/professional school. Right out of undergrad, Brown students boasted an exceptional 81% admission rate to med school and an 81% admission rate to law school.

• Enrollment: 7,639
• Cost of Attendance: $84,828
• Acceptance Rate: 5%
• Retention Rate: 99%
• Graduation Rate: 96%

University of California, Davis

Academic Highlights: UC Davis offers 100+ undergraduate majors across four schools: the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the College of Biological Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the College of Letters and Science. 50% engage in some type of research/creative project outside the classroom. The areas of study with the largest number of degrees awarded were biology, the social sciences, psychology, and engineering. Programs in engineering, computer science, and animal science are nationally renowned.

Professional Outcomes: Many recent grads found homes at Silicon Valley or other California-based employers. Corporations employing 200 or more Aggies include Genentech, Google, Apple, Cisco, Meta, Oracle, Amazon, Microsoft, Salesforce, and LinkedIn. Ten years out of school, median earnings rise to $112k. Within one year of graduating, 39% of Aggies elect to continue their education; the most popular degrees pursued are master’s, MDs or other health doctorates, law, and MBA/MPA.

• Enrollment: 31,797 (undergraduate); 9,053 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $41,389 (in-state); $73,963 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: Test Blind
• Median ACT: Test Blind
• Acceptance Rate: 42%
• Retention Rate: 93%
• Graduation Rate: 87%

University of California, Berkeley

• Berkeley, CA

Academic Highlights: More than 150 undergraduate majors and minors are available across six schools: the College of Letters and Science, the College of Chemistry, the College of Engineering, the College of Environmental Design, the College of Natural Resources, and the Haas School of Business. Many departments have top international reputations including computer science, engineering, chemistry, English, psychology, and economics. 22% of sections contain nine or fewer students, and over 55% of students assist faculty with a research project or complete a research methods course.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduating, 49% of Cal’s Class of 2022 had already secured employment, and 20% were headed to graduate school. Business is the most popular sector, attracting 62% of employed grads; next up are industrial (17%), education (8%), and nonprofit work (7%). The median starting salary was $86,459 across all majors. Thousands of alumni can be found in the offices of Google, Apple, and Meta, and 500+ Golden Bears are currently employed by Oracle, Amazon, and Microsoft. The school is the number one all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers.

• Enrollment: 32,831 (undergraduate); 12,914 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $48,574 (in-state); $82,774 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 11%
• Retention Rate: 96%
• Graduation Rate: 94%

Columbia University

• New York, NY

Academic Highlights: Columbia offers 100+ unique areas of undergraduate study as well as a number of pre-professional and accelerated graduate programs.  Class sizes at Columbia are reasonably small and the student-to-faculty ratio is favorable; however, in 2022, it was revealed that the university had been submitting faulty data in this area. It is presently believed that 58% of undergraduate courses enroll 19 or fewer students. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (22%), computer science (15%), engineering (14%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Examining the most recent graduates from Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science, 73% had found employment within six months, and 20% had entered graduate school. The median starting salary for graduates of Columbia College/Columbia Engineering is above $80,000. Many graduates get hired by the likes of Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Google, Citi, McKinsey, and Microsoft.

• Enrollment: 8,832
• Cost of Attendance: $89,587
• Acceptance Rate: 4%

University of Virginia

• Charlottesville, VA

Academic Highlights: Undergrads can study within one of seven colleges/schools, which all offer many small classes; 15% boast single-digit enrollment and 48% contain 19 or fewer students. The McIntire School of Commerce and the School of Engineering and Applied Science have glowing reputations. Other notable strengths include computer science, economics, and political philosophy, policy, and law. The most popular degree areas are liberal arts/general studies (22%), the social sciences (14%), engineering (11%), business/marketing (8%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes:  Upon receiving their degree, 95% of the Class of 2022 immediately joined the workforce–with an average starting salary of $90k–or headed directly to graduate school. The most popular industries were internet & software, higher education, and management consulting. Capital One (85), Deloitte (46), Amazon (38), and Bain & Co. (26) scooped up the greatest number of 2022 grads. UVA itself was the most popular grad school destination followed by Columbia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Johns Hopkins.

• Enrollment: 17,496 (undergraduate); 8,653 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $39,494-49,874 (in-state); $78,214-90,378 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1470
• Median ACT: 33
• Acceptance Rate: 19%

Dartmouth College

• Hanover, NH

Academic Highlights: Dartmouth sports 60+ majors and a stunning breadth of course selections for an institution of its size. The learning environment at Dartmouth is extraordinarily intimate. Not only do 61% of course sections have under twenty students, but 18% have single-digit enrollments. The student-to-faculty ratio is an outstanding 7:1. Top programs offered by Big Green include biology, economics, neuroscience, and government. The social sciences are the most popular, accounting for 32% of degrees conferred, followed by computer science (10%), mathematics (9%), engineering (9%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: A great reputation along with a passionate alumni network that is 80,000 strong leads Dartmouth grads to successful transitions into graduate school and the world of work. Included in the top ten employers of Dartmouth grads are a number of investment banks including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bain & Company, Citibank, and Deutsche Bank. Right off the bat, 52% of graduates make more than $70,000 in salary. Those pursuing graduate degrees often flock to the likes of Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton.

• Enrollment: 4,458
• Cost of Attendance: $87,793
• Median SAT: 1550

Rice University

• Houston, TX

Academic Highlights : Rice offers more than 50 majors across six broad disciplines: engineering, architecture, music, social science, humanities, and natural science. Programs in biology, biochemistry, cognitive science, and music are incredibly strong, while the School of Architecture and the George R. Brown School of Engineering are among the highest-ranking schools in their disciplines. One-third of computer science majors are female, almost twice the national average. Class sizes are ideally small with 66% containing fewer than 20 students and a median class size of only fourteen.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 88% of Rice grads have found careers or a graduate school home. Companies that employ many recent grads include Deloitte, Capital One, JP Morgan Chase, Google, and Microsoft. Over one hundred alumni are also current employees of companies such as Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Amazon, Accenture, and Meta. Across all majors, the average starting salary is $73k. One-third of graduates move directly into graduate or professional school, with Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, Columbia, and Berkeley being the most popular destinations.

• Enrollment: 4,494 (undergraduate); 4,178 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $78,278
• Median SAT: 35
• Acceptance Rate: 9%
• Retention Rate: 94%
• Graduation Rate: 98%

Middlebury College

• Middlebury, VT

Academic Highlights: Midd offers 50 departments and programs in which to major and minor. The school’s 9:1 student-faculty ratio allows 100% of courses to be taught by professors, not graduate assistants. Most classes are small; the mean class size is 16, and 14% of sections contain fewer than ten students. Middlebury is renowned for its Language Department as well as its programs in economics and international studies. The college has a robust international program (75 programs in 40 countries); over 50% of juniors take a semester abroad.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 81% of the Class of 2022 had landed jobs and 12% were in graduate school. The most commonly held jobs fell under the categories of financial services (19%), consulting (14%), science and healthcare (14%), and media and technology (12%). Many Middlebury grads now enter tech-related fields; Google and Facebook are two of the leading employers alongside Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, Amazon, and JP Morgan. More than 100 alumni work in the US State Department.

• Enrollment: 2,773 (undergraduate); 70 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $89,850
• Median SAT: 1460
• Acceptance Rate: 13%
• Retention Rate: 95%

University of Chicago

• Chicago, IL

Academic Highlights: There are 53 majors at UChicago, but close to half of all degrees conferred are in four majors: economics, biology, mathematics, and political science, all of which have particularly sterling reputations. Economics alone is the selection of roughly one-fifth of the undergraduate population. Over 75% of undergrad sections have an enrollment of nineteen or fewer students, and undergraduate research opportunities are ubiquitous as 80% of students end up working in a research capacity alongside a faculty member.

Professional Outcomes: On commencement day, 99% of the Class of 2023 were employed or continuing their education. Business and financial services (30%) and STEM (12%) were the two sectors that scooped up the most graduates, but public policy and consulting were also well-represented. The most popular employers of recent grads include Google, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company, Bank of America, Citi, and Accenture. For those heading to grad school, the top seven destinations are Yale, Columbia, Penn, MIT, Stanford, UCLA, and Johns Hopkins.

• Enrollment: 7,653 (undergraduate); 10,870 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $89,040

Colorado College

• Colorado Springs, CO

Academic Highlights: Rather than the typical semester schedule, Colorado College operates on the “block plan,” a series of eight three-and-half-week periods during which students take only one course. You won’t find a more intimate liberal arts college than CC. Classes have a cap of 25 students, and no more than a handful of courses exceed that figure. The average class consists of 16 students. In terms of sheer volume, most degrees are conferred in the social sciences (28%), biology (17%), natural resources and conservation (8%), and physical science (6%).

Professional Outcomes: Among the Class of 2022, an impressive 99% arrived successfully at their next destination within six months of earning their diploma. The largest number of graduates who pursue employment end up in the fields of education, technology, health care, the arts, and government.  The bachelor’s degree earned at Colorado College is unlikely to be the last degree a graduate will earn. Five years after graduation, the typical cohort sees 70-90% of its members having either completed or finishing an advanced degree.

• Enrollment: 2,180
• Cost of Attendance: $87,128
• Median SAT: 1380
• Median ACT: 32
• Acceptance Rate: 16%
• Retention Rate: 91%
• Graduation Rate: 86%

Pomona College

• Claremont, CA

Academic Highlights: There are 48 majors and minors to select from with the most popular being social sciences (23%), biology (13%), and computer science (12%). Majors in economics, international relations, chemistry, and mathematics receive especially high marks. More than 600 courses are on the menu at Pomona alone, but students can access any of the Claremont Consortium’s 2,700 courses. Pomona’s 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio leads to an average class size of only 15 students, and over 50% of the undergraduate population conduct research alongside a faculty member.

Professional Outcomes: 71% of the Class of 2022 were employed within six months of graduating. Overall, the largest number of alumni can be found at Google, Kaiser Permanente, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta. Recently, economics degree-earners have landed jobs at Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, or Accenture. Majors in the hard sciences frequently landed at top research laboratories and hospitals. Of the 21% of 2022 grads who were accepted directly into graduate school, the most frequently attended institutions included the University of Cambridge, Duke, Harvard, Caltech, UChicago, and Stanford.

• Enrollment: 1,761
• Cost of Attendance: $88,296
• Median SAT: 1520
• Graduation Rate: 93%

University of Notre Dame

• Notre Dame, IN

Academic Highlights: 75 majors are offered across six undergraduate colleges: the School of Architecture, the College of Arts and Letters, the Mendoza School of Business (one of the country’s best business schools), the College of Engineering, the Keough School of Global Affairs, and the College of Science. In 2022, the most degrees were conferred in business (20%), the social sciences (18%), engineering (12%), and biology (8%). A solid 60% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students, and 15% have single-digit numbers. 75% of Notre Dame undergrads study abroad.

Professional Outcomes: 69% of 2022 grads directly entered the world of employment, with the most common industries being financial services (21%), consulting (17%), technology (12%), and health services (9%). Massive numbers of alumni can be found at Deloitte, EY, PwC, IBM, Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and McKinsey & Co. The median early-career salary was $76,000. Of the 20% of grads who went directly into their graduate/professional studies, 18% were pursuing medical degrees and 9% were studying law.

• Enrollment: 8,971 (undergraduate); 4,134 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $86,125
• Median SAT: 1500

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

• Syracuse, NY

Academic Highlights:  There are 27 majors at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a terrific 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. An excellent 64% of class sections are fairly small, enrolling 19 or fewer students. The most frequently earned degrees are in conservation biology (12%), environmental biology (10%), natural resources management (10%), environmental health engineering (9%), and wildlife biology (9%).

Professional Outcomes: Looking at the Class of 2022, ESF had an admiral 92% career placement rate. 70% of that cohort are employed full time and 18% elected to start an advanced degree program. Top employers included WestRock, Arcadis, Environmental Design & Research, GHD, NYS Office of Parks, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and Parsons Corporation. Top graduate programs include GWU, PSU, Syracuse, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UIUC.

• Enrollment: 1,621
• Cost of Attendance: $29,276 (In-State); $41,306 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: N/A
• Median ACT: N/A
• Acceptance Rate: 70%
• Retention Rate: 86%
• Graduation Rate: 80%

University of California, Los Angeles

• Los Angeles, CA

Academic Highlights: UCLA offers 125 majors in 100+ academic departments, and more than 60 majors require a capstone experience that results in the creation of a tangible product under the mentorship of faculty members. The most commonly conferred degrees are in the social sciences (25%), biology (16%), psychology (11%), mathematics (8%), and engineering (7%). Departmental rankings are high across the board, especially in computer science, engineering, film, fine and performing arts, mathematics, and political science.

Professional Outcomes: UCLA grads flow most heavily into the research, finance, computer science, and engineering sectors. High numbers of recent grads can be found at Disney, Google, EY, Teach for America, Amazon, and Oracle. Hundreds also can be found at Bloomberg, Deloitte, Mattel, Oracle, and SpaceX. The average starting salary exceeds $55,000. 16% of recent grads enrolled directly in a graduate/professional school, with other CA-based institutions like Stanford, Pepperdine, USC, Berkeley, and Loyola Marymount being the most popular.

• Enrollment: 33,040 (undergraduate); 15,010 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $38,517 (in-state); $71,091 (out-of-state)

University of Washington – Seattle

• Seattle, WA

Academic Highlights: 180+ undergraduate majors are offered across thirteen colleges/schools. Personal connections with professors abound as 55% of grads complete a faculty-mentored research project. The College of Engineering, which includes the College of Computer Science & Engineering, is one of the best in the nation; UW also boasts strong programs in everything from business to social work to environmental science. The most popular degrees are the social sciences (13%), biology (12%), computer science (11%), and business (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Within months of graduation, 73% of Class of 2022 grads were employed and 17% were continuing their education. The most popular employers of the Class of 2022 included Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and KPMG. Across all living alumni, 6,000+ work for Microsoft, and 4000+ work for each of Boeing and Amazon. Of those headed to graduate/professional school, just over half remain in state, mostly at UW itself. Large numbers of 2022 grads also headed to Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and USC.

• Enrollment: 36,872 (undergraduate); 16,211 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $34,554 (in-state); $63,906 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1420
• Acceptance Rate: 48%
• Graduation Rate: 84%

University of Wisconsin – Madison

• Madison, WI

Academic Highlights: There are 230+ undergraduate majors offered across eight schools and colleges, including the top-ranked School of Business and College of Engineering as well as the College of Letters and Science, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Schools of Nursing, Education, Pharmacy, and Human Ecology. Undergrads can expect a mix of large and small classes, with 44% of sections enrolling fewer than 20 students. Business (18%), biology (12%), the social sciences (11%), and engineering (10%) are most popular.

Professional Outcomes: In a recent year, 46% of job-seeking grads graduated with an offer.  Top employers included UW-Madison, Epic, Kohl’s, Oracle, Deloitte, and UW Health. Across all graduating years, companies employing 250+ alumni include Google, Target, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, PwC, Accenture, and Meta. 28% of recent grads enrolled directly in graduate/professional school; the majority stayed at UW–Madison while others headed to Columbia, Northwestern, and Carnegie Mellon. The university is the top producer of Peace Corps volunteers.

• Enrollment: 37,230 (undergraduate); 12,656 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $28,916 (in-state); $58,912 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1440
• Median ACT: 30
• Acceptance Rate: 49%
• Graduation Rate: 89%

Hamilton College

• Clinton, NY

Academic Highlights: The student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, and without any pesky graduate students to get in the way, face time with professors is a regular occurrence. In fact, 28% of all classes have nine or fewer students; 72% have nineteen or fewer. Economics, government, and biology are among the strongest and most popular majors; other standout programs include public policy, mathematics, and environmental studies. Thirty percent of students earn social science degrees, with biology (13%), visual and performing arts (9%), physical science (7%), and foreign languages (7%) next in line.

Professional Outcomes: Examining the 491 graduates in Hamilton’s Class of 2022, an enviable 97% wasted no time landing jobs, graduate school acceptances, or fellowships. The most commonly entered industries were finance (17%), education (13%), business (12%), and science/tech (11%). Only 17% of 2022 graduates went directly into an advanced degree program. In one recent year, 33% of Hamilton grads were studying a STEM field, 22% were in the social sciences, 17% pursued a health care degree, and 5% went to law school.

• Enrollment: 2,075
• Cost of Attendance: $82,430
• Median SAT: 1490
• Acceptance Rate: 12%
• Graduation Rate: 92%

Bates College

• Lewiston, ME

Academic Highlights: Thirty-four percent of courses at Bates have a single-digit enrollment, and 63% of classrooms contain nineteen or fewer students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, and not a single graduate student is present to vacuum up professorial attention. Twenty-eight percent of all degrees earned at Bates are in the social sciences, and psychology (14%), biology (13%), and the physical sciences (7%) are next in popularity. Though strong across many disciplines, Bates boasts exemplary programs in political science, art, philosophy, economics, and psychology.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 99% of the Class of 2022 were either employed, enrolled in graduate school, or otherwise meaningfully engaged in a fellowship or internship. The most frequently entered fields were healthcare (17%), education (16%), finance/banking (14%), and technology (7%). Within ten years of graduation, approximately 13% of Bates graduates are in, or have completed, law school whereas 7% enroll in medical school.

• Enrollment: 1,790
• Cost of Attendance: $81,382
• Median SAT: 1430
• Acceptance Rate: 14%

Bowdoin College

• Brunswick, ME

Academic Highlights: Class sizes are small—64% contain fewer than twenty students—and 21% have fewer than ten students. The student-faculty ratio is 9:1. More than half of Bowdoin undergrads report interacting with a professor outside of regular class time at least once per week. The greatest percentage of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (30%), biology (13%), area/ethnic/gender studies (8%), computer science (7%), and mathematics (7%). Economics and government and legal studies are two of the more popular majors within the social sciences.

Professional Outcomes: An examination of three recent years’ worth of outcomes data reveals that one year after graduation, between 73 and 77% of recent grads have found full-time employment, and 15% have gone directly into graduate school. Of those entering graduate school, 48% were enrolled in master’s programs, 23% in PhD programs, 13% in law school, and 8% in med school. The top twenty graduate schools attended, by volume, in the last five years make an exclusive list including six Ivies along with Duke, MIT, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford.

• Enrollment: 1,915
• Cost of Attendance: $82,600
• Median SAT: 1510

University of Michigan

• Ann Arbor, MI

Academic Highlights: There are 280+ undergraduate degree programs across fourteen schools and colleges, and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) enrolls the majority of students. The Ross School of Business offers highly rated programs in entrepreneurship, management, accounting, and finance. The College of Engineering is also one of the best in the country. By degrees conferred, engineering (15%), computer science (14%), and the social sciences (11%) are most popular. A solid 56% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: Within three months of graduating, 89% of LSA grads are employed full-time or in graduate school, with healthcare, education, law, banking, research, nonprofit work, and consulting being the most popular sectors. Within three months, 99% of Ross grads are employed with a median salary of $90k. Top employers include Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, EY, Morgan Stanley, PwC, Deloitte, and Amazon.  Within six months, 96% of engineering grads are employed (average salary of $84k) or in grad school. General Motors, Ford, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta employ the greatest number of alumni.

• Enrollment: 32,695 (undergraduate); 18,530 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $35,450 (in-state); $76,294 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 18%

Wellesley College

• Wellesley, MA

Academic Highlights: There are 50+ departmental and interdisciplinary majors. Thirty-six percent of course sections have single-digit enrollments while 77% have 19 or fewer students. In addition, opportunities for participation in research with faculty members abound. Most programs possess sterling reputations, including chemistry, computer science, neuroscience, and political science, but the Department of Economics shines most brightly, leading many into PhD programs and high-profile careers. Economics, biology, and computer science are the most frequently conferred degrees.

Professional Outcomes : Six months after graduating, 97% of the Class of 2022 had achieved positive outcomes. Of the 76% of grads who were employed, 24% were working in the finance/consulting/business fields, 17% in education, 17% in internet and technology & engineering, and 15% in healthcare/life sciences. Top employers included JPMorgan Chase, Google, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Goldman Sachs. The average starting salary for one recent cohort was a solid $63k. Of the 20% of 2022 grads who directly entered an advanced degree program, common schools attended included Harvard, Columbia, Brown, Stanford, MIT, and Emory.

• Enrollment: 2,447
• Cost of Attendance: $84,240
• Graduation Rate: 90%

Wesleyan University

• Middletown, CT

Academic Highlights: With 45 majors and 32 minors, Wes truly has something for everyone. The academic requirements are relatively minimal, giving undergrads a high degree of intellectual freedom. Under 75% of class sections have fewer than twenty students; students rave about the accessible faculty. Research opportunities with professors are plentiful. Offerings in economics, English, film studies, and neuroscience typically receive the most praise from employers/grad schools; accordingly, the social sciences (24%), psychology (17%), and the visual and performing arts (12%) are the most popular.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 66% of 2022 grads had entered employment, with tech/engineering/sciences, education, and arts/entertainment being the three top sectors. The companies employing the highest numbers of recent Wesleyan grads included Google, Epic, Analysis Group, Boston Medical Center, Booz Allen Hamilton, Accenture, and Apple. Graduate school was the next stop for 18% of new alums; enrolling institutions included MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, Harvard, Temple, and UMass.

• Enrollment: 3,069 (undergraduate); 184 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $89,094

Davidson College

• Davidson, NC

Academic Highlights: With its small size, the impressive part of the college is the exceptional quality of its offerings, not the breadth of them, as only 37 majors are available. The student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, which allows the college to ensure that 62% have fewer than twenty students and 24% have enrollments you can count on two hands. Overall, the average number of students per class is only 18. Top programs at Davidson include psychology, political science, chemistry, and English; biology is also quite popular, accounting for 12% of degrees conferred in 2022.

Professional Outcomes: Looking at the outcomes data for 2022 grads, 70% landed jobs within six months of graduation, 26% were enrolled in a graduate program, and 3% were still seeking employment. Of those who attended grad school, the highest number were in healthcare-related programs (including MDs), law school, and laboratory sciences. Significant numbers of students pursue advanced degrees at other Southern gems including Vanderbilt, Emory, Duke, Wake Forest, and UNC.

• Enrollment: 1,927
• Cost of Attendance: $76,450
• Acceptance Rate: 17%

Scripps College

Academic Highlights: There are 65+ majors available to undergrads, including some that are accessible through membership in the Consortium. A 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio breeds an intimate learning atmosphere where professors are genuinely dedicated to undergraduate education. The top five areas of concentration are the social sciences (18%), biology (14%), natural resources/conservation (8%), psychology (7%), and area, ethnic, and gender studies (6%). Each possesses a very strong reputation.

Professional Outcomes: Scripps women land jobs at some of the world’s leading companies after receiving their diplomas. Top employers include Google, Kaiser Permanente, and Amazon. Many go on to work for universities, including Pomona, Scripps, Stanford, UCLA, and UC San Diego. Recent grads also have entered positions at BlackRock, CBS, Goldman Sachs, Meta, and Pfizer. Over 66% complete a graduate/professional program within five years of receiving their bachelor’s degrees at institutions such as Caltech, Harvard, MIT, Vanderbilt, Oxford, Brown, Northwestern, and Tufts.

• Enrollment: 1,081 (undergraduate); 19 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $87,564
• Acceptance Rate: 30%

Pitzer College

Academic Highlights: Pitzer still manages to offer 40+ majors and 20 minors and, as a bonus, students are free to take more than 2,000 courses across the consortium. The most popular majors at Pitzer are interdisciplinary studies (18%), the social sciences (18%), and psychology (8%). Nearly all programs are top-notch, but majors within the social and behavioral sciences (e.g., psychology and sociology) typically draw the most praise. A 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and no graduate student presence lead to an average class size of 16 students.

Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their degrees, 59% of 2022 graduates had already found full-time employers, 16% were headed to graduate school, and 9% were entering fellowship, internship, or service programs. Among those employed, the most popular industries were tech/sustainability (25%), finance/business (17%), entertainment/arts (16%), health, medicine, and research (15%), and education (12%). Employers employing more than ten alumni include Google, Kaiser Permanente, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and Accenture.

• Enrollment: 1,212
• Cost of Attendance: $89,792
• Retention Rate: 89%

Northeastern University

Academic Highlights: Northeastern offers 290 majors and 180 combined majors within nine colleges and programs. Experiential learning is had by virtually all graduates, thanks to the school’s illustrious and robust co-op program. The D’Amore-McKim School of Business is a top-ranked school and offers one of the best international business programs anywhere, and both the College of Engineering and College of Computer Science are highly respected as well. Criminal justice, architecture, and nursing are three other majors that rate near the top nationally.

Professional Outcomes: Nine months after leaving Northeastern, 97% of students have landed at their next employment or graduate school destination. Huskies entering the job market are quickly rounded up by the likes of State Street, Fidelity Investments, IBM, and Amazon, all of whom employ 500+ Northeastern alums. Between 200 and 500 employees at Wayfair, Google, Amazon, Oracle, IBM, and Apple have an NU lineage. Starting salaries are above average (55% make more than $60k), in part due to the stellar co-op program.

• Enrollment: 20,980 (undergraduate); 15,826 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $86,821
• Graduation Rate: 91%

Dickinson College

• Carlisle, PA

Academic Highlights: As students immerse themselves in one of 46 areas of concentration, Dickinson supports them with a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of fifteen, with 78% of classes being capped at 19 students. By discipline, the greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (27%), biology (12%), business (10%), psychology (7%), and foreign languages (5%). The college’s foreign language program, which features 13 offerings—including Arabic, Hebrew, and Portuguese—is recognized as one of the top programs in the country.

Professional Outcomes: One year after graduating, 95% of Dickinson grads have found jobs or full-time volunteer work, or have enrolled in graduate school. Companies employing more than 25 Dickinson alumni include Deloitte, IBM, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Merck, EY, PNC, PwC, Google, and Amazon. It’s interesting that more alumni can be found in New York City than in Pennsylvania. Within five years of receiving their diplomas, 55-60% of recent grads have entered or finished graduate school.

• Enrollment: 2,125
• Cost of Attendance: $86,151
• Median SAT: 1355
• Acceptance Rate: 35%

Clark University

• Worcester, MA

Academic Highlights: Class sizes are fairly small with 23% containing fewer than 10 students and the average undergraduate class size is exactly 20 students. An impressive 67% of students participate in undergraduate research at some point in their four years of study. Psychology and geography are two standout departments at Clark, and psychology (14%) is actually the school’s most commonly conferred degree. Overall, 21% of degrees are conferred in the social sciences and many also earn degrees in biology (11%), the visual & performing arts (9%), and business (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 97% of Cougars have clawed their way into gainful employment or full-time graduate programs. Sixty-three percent enter private industry, 32% enter the nonprofit/education world, and 5% are employed by government entities. Of the 44% of freshly minted alumni who enrolled in graduate school, a good number continued their education at Clark or at nearby universities such as UMass Amherst, Boston College, and Boston University. Other attend Brown University, NYU, Penn, and USC.

• Enrollment: 2,389
• Cost of Attendance: $67,277
• Median SAT: 1340
• Acceptance Rate: 50%
• Retention Rate: 88%
• Graduation Rate: 76%

Willamette University

Academic Highlights: 30 distinct majors are offered at Willamette, and the greatest number of degrees conferred in 2022 were in the social sciences (16%) followed by a fairly even distribution among psychology (9%), biology (9%), natural resources and conservation (8%), and foreign languages (6%). Classes are exceptionally small with 75% of sections enrolling fewer than 20 students, and undergraduate research is taken seriously, with more than 75 undergraduate research grants offered annually. The school is a top producer of Fulbright Scholars.

Professional Outcomes: Currently, two dozen or more alumni work for the likes of Nike, Intel, Kaiser Permanente, Microsoft, Amazon, and Wells Fargo. Graduates of the College of Arts & Sciences enjoy an average mid-career salary of $107k; alumni have gone on to all kinds of interesting careers including analytics for the Houston Astros, IT engineer at Netflix, lead investigator at the National Cancer Institute, and bestselling author of young adult fiction. Portland has the highest concentration of Bearcats followed by Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver.

• Enrollment: 1,367 (undergraduate); 548 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $63,756
• Median SAT: 1320
• Acceptance Rate: 81%
• Retention Rate: 82%

Colgate University

• Hamilton, NY

Academic Highlights: Fifty-six majors are on tap at Colgate, including all of the expected liberal arts concentrations. With a student-faculty ratio of 9:1 and an average class size of 16, Colgate undergraduates work intimately with their instructors. The social sciences account for 35% of all degrees conferred and, within that umbrella, economics, political science, and English are among the most popular and most well-regarded majors.

Professional Outcomes: Nine months after graduation, only a small number of Colgate alumni are still looking for work; in 2022, that group represented less than 2% of the graduating class. A substantial 80% had already landed full-time jobs. Employers hiring the most Colgate grads included BOA, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan, EY, Wayfair, and the NIH. 85-95% of law school applicants are accepted into one of their target institutions. The medical school numbers were even more impressive with 100% of graduating seniors gaining acceptance into at least one med school.

• Enrollment: 3,130
• Cost of Attendance: $83,814

University of Colorado Boulder

• Boulder, CO

Academic Highlights: CU Boulder offers 90 bachelor’s degree programs across seven different schools and colleges; the College of Engineering & Applied Science and the Leeds School of Business both possess excellent national reputations. Business/marketing is the discipline where the greatest number of degrees (15%) were conferred in 2022. Engineering (13%), biology (12%), social sciences (12%), and journalism (10%) are next in popularity. 41% of classes have fewer than 20 students, and only 19% of courses enroll 50 or more students.

Professional Outcomes : Within six months of leaving CU Boulder, 91% of recent grads were working or in graduate school. Those employed earned an estimated median salary of $54k, with the greatest number working at Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, Deloitte, Qualcomm, Northrop Grumman, KPMG, Charles Schwab, and Boeing. More than 100 alumni can also be found at Google, Oracle, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. 20% of new grads immediately jumped into an advanced degree program, and 80% were accepted into their first-choice school.

• Enrollment: 31,103 (undergraduate); 7,110 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $31,744 (in-state); $60,118 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1280
• Median ACT: 29
• Acceptance Rate: 79%
• Graduation Rate: 75%

Boston University

Academic Highlights: In total, the university offers more than 300 programs of study, 100+ of which are distinct undergraduate degrees spread across ten schools/colleges. Many classes at BU are reasonably small—60% contain fewer than twenty students; only 19% contain more than forty. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in social sciences (16%), business/marketing (15%), communications and journalism (15%), biology (11%), engineering (9%), and health professions/related sciences (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 90% of BU grads have found their way into the world of employment or full-time graduate study. Across all graduating years, companies employing more than 350 BU alums include Google, Oracle, Accenture, IBM, and Amazon Web Services. Of the one-quarter of grads who move directly into graduate school, many are welcomed onto the campuses of elite graduate programs. For example, engineering students found new academic homes at MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, and Columbia.

• Enrollment: 18,459
• Cost of Attendance: $86,363

Florida State University

• Tallahassee, FL

Academic Highlights: A wide range of baccalaureate degrees—103 to be precise—are available at FSU. The student-to-faculty is a 17:1, which translates into somewhat larger class sizes. Ten percent of sections contain more than fifty students, and 4% have more than 100. However, that is balanced by the 66% of sections that contain fewer than twenty students. Twenty-three percent of degrees conferred fall under the business umbrella. The social sciences (15%), psychology (8%), biology (8%), and homeland security (6%) are next in popularity.

Professional Outcomes: Eighty-three percent of job-seeking Seminole grads receive at least one offer of employment within three months of graduation. The top five sectors employing 2022 grads are (in order) finance, technology, marketing, health, and engineering. Roughly one-third of 2022 Florida State grads elected to immediately pursue admission into an advanced degree program; 75% of those who apply receive at least one acceptance. A typical graduating class sees over 100 students accepted into medical schools and over 200 accepted into law schools.

• Enrollment: 32,936
• Cost of Attendance: $25,762 (In-State); $39,692 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1300
• Acceptance Rate: 25%
• Graduation Rate: 85%

Barnard College

Academic Highlights: Barnard has a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, and a sensational 71% of courses are capped at nineteen or fewer students; 18% have fewer than ten. Many get the chance to engage in research alongside a professor as 240+ undergraduates are granted such an opportunity through the Summer Research Institute each year. Barnard’s most popular majors, by number of degrees conferred, include economics, English, political science, history, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and art history.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 91% of 2022 Barnard grads had found employment or were enrolled in a graduate program. JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Blackrock, Citibank, and Morgan Stanley all appear on the list of the top fifteen employers of Barnard alumni. Within ten years of graduation, over 80% of Barnard alums eventually enroll in graduate school. Those entering graduate school flock in large numbers to Columbia, with 112 heading there over the last three years.

• Enrollment: 3,442
• Cost of Attendance: $90,928

University of Southern California

Academic Highlights : There are 140 undergraduate majors and minors within the Dornsife College of Arts & Sciences alone, the university’s oldest and largest school. The Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, and programs in communication, the cinematic arts, and the performing arts are highly acclaimed. Popular areas of study are business (22%), social sciences (11%), visual and performing arts (11%), communications/journalism (9%), and engineering (8%). Most courses enroll 10-19 students, and USC does an excellent job facilitating undergraduate research opportunities.

Professional Outcomes: 96% of undergrads experience positive postgraduation outcomes within six months of earning their degree. The top five industries entered were finance, consulting, advertising, software development, and engineering; the median salary across all majors is an astounding $79k. Presently, between 300 and 1,500 alumni are employed at each of Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and Meta. Graduate/professional schools enrolling the greatest number of 2022 USC grads include NYU, Georgetown, Harvard, Stanford, Pepperdine, and UCLA.

• Enrollment: 20,699 (undergraduate); 28,246 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $90,921

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Chapel Hill, NC

Academic Highlights: Undergraduates can choose from 74 bachelor’s degree programs in a number of schools and colleges, the largest of which is the College of Arts & Sciences. 44% of classes have a student enrollment under 20. The social sciences (15%), biology (12%), media/journalism (9%), computer science (8%), and business (6%) are the areas in which the most degrees are conferred. The Kenan-Flager Business School is internationally renowned and requires separate admission. Other strong programs include those in chemistry, journalism, psychology, and political science.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after leaving Chapel Hill, 97% of 2022 grads had entered employment, military service, or graduate school. Among the for-profit companies that hire the most graduates are Wells Fargo, IBM, Cisco, Deloitte, EY, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, McKinsey & Company, and Goldman Sachs. In the nonprofit sector, a large number of alumni are employed by AmeriCorps, NIH, Teach for America, and the Peace Corps. The average starting salary is $70,619. 18% of 2022 grads enrolled directly in graduate/professional school.

• Enrollment: 20,210 (undergraduate); 11,739 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $27,036 (in-state); $60,040 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1450

University of California, Santa Cruz

• Santa Cruz, CA

Academic Highlights: 73 undergraduate majors are available at UCSC within the following academic divisions: arts, humanities, physical and biological sciences, social sciences, and the Jack Baskin School of Engineering. 75% of undergraduates conduct research during their four years. Biology is the university’s most popular major; 15% of all degrees conferred in 2022 were in this discipline. 14% of degrees were granted in the social sciences, 13% in computer and information sciences, and 12% in psychology. CS is one of UCSC’s most respected programs.

Professional Outcomes: Within three months of earning their degree, 29% of UCSC grads had found employment and 17% started graduate programs. Proximity to Silicon Valley helps open doors to companies like Google, Apple, Meta, Genentech, and Cisco, which all employ over 250 alumni. More than 100 alums can also be found in the offices of Amazon, Salesforce, Microsoft, Adobe, and LinkedIn. Among graduates from the last five years, over half make more than $40k.

• Enrollment: 17,502 (undergraduate); 1,976 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $41,283 (in-state); $73,857 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 63%
• Graduation Rate: 77%

University of Minnesota–Twin Cities

• Minneapolis, MN

Academic Highlights: There are 150 majors available across eight freshman-admitting undergraduate colleges. 65% of class sections enroll 29 or fewer students. The most commonly conferred degrees are in biology (13%), business & marketing (11%), engineering (10%), the social sciences (10%), computer science (9%), and psychology (8%). The College of Science and Engineering and the Carlson School of Management have strong national reputations, and the chemistry, economics, psychology, and political science departments are also well-regarded.

Professional Outcomes: The top seven companies snatching up the largest number of recent grads are all companies headquartered in the state of Minnesota: Medtronic, Target, 3M, United Health Group, US Bank, and Cargill. Google, Apple, and Meta all employ hundreds of Twin Cities alumni. The mean starting salary for recent grads was $50k. With 130 graduate programs in science, art, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and the humanities, the University of Minnesota retains many of its graduates as they pursue their next degrees.

• Enrollment: 39,248 (undergraduate); 15,707 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $33,032-$35,632 (in-state); $54,446-$57,046
• Median SAT: 1370
• Acceptance Rate: 75%
• Retention Rate: 90%

University of Vermont

• Burlington, VT

Academic Highlights: With over 100 majors and 100 advanced degree programs, the University of Vermont has offerings in just about any major you can name. They sport a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1 and 41% of sections enroll no more than 19 students. The most popular majors are fairly evenly spread around with biology (12%), natural resources and conservation (10%), business (9%), and nursing (9%)  all attracting similar numbers of undergraduates.

Professional Outcomes:  Over the last three years, graduates have enjoyed a 94% success rate. Alumni earned an average starting salary of $49,909 during that span of time. Roughly 90% of grads stated that their current job was related to their career goals. Top employers included Mass General Hospital, Beta Technologies, and GlobalFoundries. Looking at the Class of 2022 who enrolled in advanced degree programs, common universities included Northeastern, BU, Simmons, NYU, and Cornell.

• Enrollment: 11,898
• Cost of Attendance: $32,834 (In-State); $59,278 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1350
• Acceptance Rate: 60%

Oregon State University

• Corvallis, Oregon

Academic Highlights: Across its 11 colleges, graduate schools, and Honors College, OSU offers close to 200 degree programs. While 28% of classes have fewer than 20 students another 21% of sections enroll more than 50 individuals. The three most commonly earned degrees are in engineering (17%) computer science (15%), and business (15%). Other popular areas of study are biology (7%), natural resources and conservation (6%), and the social sciences (5%).

Professional Outcomes:  Large number of College of Business alums work at companies such as Nike, Boeing, Intel, Deloitte, Oracle, KPMG, and Adidas.  Including all majors, many others work for Amazon, Salesforce, Meta, Apple, Google, and NVIDIA. An impressive 67% of those applying to medical school are accepted, a figure far higher than the national average. Med schools where recent grads now attend include Harvard, Yale, the University of Chicago, and UCLA.

• Enrollment: 28,905
• Cost of Attendance: $28,866 (In-State); $51,642 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1260
• Median ACT: 26
• Acceptance Rate: 83%
• Retention Rate: 87%
• Graduation Rate: 70%

Hobart & William Smith Colleges

Academic Highlights: The offerings at Hobart & William Smith are wide with 45 majors and 68 minors. The average class size is just 16 students, and 100% of courses are taught by full-time faculty; the student-to-faculty ratio is an excellent 9:1. The social sciences account for the greatest number of degrees conferred each year, typically more than 25%. The next most popular areas of concentration are in biology, psychology, journalism, and the physical sciences.

Professional Outcomes: In a typical year, approximately two-thirds of HWS grads immediately enter the world of full-time employment while 15% jump right into pursuing a graduate or professional degree. Companies employing the greatest number of grads include Morgan Stanley, Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan, Google, UBS, JPMorgan Chase, and Citi. On the graduate and professional school front, HWS alumni fare quite well, including at many of the top programs in the country.

• Enrollment: 1,559
• Cost of Attendance: $80,000
• Median ACT: 31
• Acceptance Rate: 68%
• Graduation Rate: 74%

Juniata College

• Huntingdon, PA

Academic Highlights: A stunning 95% of graduates report engaging in some form of hands-on learning in their time at the college. The 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio may lag slightly behind some other small liberal arts schools featured in this guide, but professors are deployed with enhancing the undergraduate experience in mind. Biology is easily the most common major as it accounted for 22% of degrees conferred in 2022; next in line were natural resources and conservation (12%), education (12%), and the physical sciences (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Ninety-six percent of Juniata students are employed or attending graduate school six months after diplomas are awarded. More than ten alumni work for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Merck, Geisinger, WellSpan Health, and the US Army. Recent graduate acceptances include Columbia, Wake Forest, Johns Hopkins, and MIT. With a 90% acceptance rate for premed and other graduate programs in the health professions, Juniata is a choice institution for future doctors, nurses, dentists, veterinarians, and other health professionals.

• Enrollment: 1,177
• Cost of Attendance: $69,948
• Median SAT: 1230
• Acceptance Rate: 76%
• Retention Rate: 81%
• Graduation Rate: 71%

University of North Carolina Wilmington

• Wilmington, NC

Academic Highlights: Nearly 90 undergraduate programs are available across five different colleges: the Cameron School of Business, the College of Health and Human Services, the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts, the College of Science and Engineering, and the Watson College of Education. Nursing is the most popular major, accounting for 20% of degrees conferred, followed by business (18%), speech communication and rhetoric (6%), and psychology (6%). The average class size is 22, and 40% of classes enroll under 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: Nursing grads—UNCW’s most popular major—make an average starting salary of $67k. Business majors—the second-most popular discipline—have a post-grad employment rate of 45%. 15% of newly minted business alums immediately pursue a graduate or professional program. During their undergrad years, 58% of business students ultimately complete an internship, and they enjoy an average starting salary of $55k.

• Enrollment: 14,294 (undergraduate); 3,549 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $27,030 (in-state); $42,603 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 69%
• Retention Rate: 83%

University of North Carolina Asheville

• Asheville, NC

Academic Highlights: Of the 30+ bachelor’s degree programs, a standout Art & Art History Department attracts scores of talented young painters, sculptors, and photographers. As such, it conferred the greatest percentage of degrees in 2022 (16%), followed by psychology (14%), the social sciences (10%), and business (9%). Engineering and computer science degrees accounted for a combined 19%. 97% of courses enroll 29 or fewer students (the average class size is just 14), and 65% of students complete original research in their field of study.

Professional Outcomes: Asheville rates well when it comes to generating a high degree of social mobility. Employers snagging the greatest number of Bulldog alumni include Mission Health, Wells Fargo, Lowe’s, Bank of America, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and a number of local school districts. A fair number of grads also find employment at Duke Energy Company, the US Environmental Protection Agency, Apple, EY, PwC, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Many alumni pursue graduate schools at other public universities within North Carolina.

• Enrollment: 2,907 (undergraduate); 18 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $24,856 (in-state); $43,304 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1240
• Acceptance Rate: 94%
• Retention Rate: 73%
• Graduation Rate: 56%

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

• St. Mary's City, MD

Academic Highlights: St. Mary’s College of Maryland offers 25 majors and 31 minors. 96% of course sections enroll fewer than 29 students, and 72% of classes enroll fewer than 20. The college is known for its strong STEM programs; roughly 30% of all degrees conferred are in a STEM field. The social sciences accounted for 23% of the degrees earned in 2022 followed by psychology (17%), biology (13%), natural resources and conservation (8%), and the visual and performing arts (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of earning their bachelor’s degrees, 96% of St. Mary’s grads have landed a job or started an advanced degree. Healthcare, wellness, publishing, government, and media are the most popular industries. Top employers of Osprey alumni include JPMorgan Chase & Co., the Centers for Disease Control, BNY Mellon, Booz Allen Hamilton, the Smithsonian, and the US Department of Defense. Over 25% of alumni begin work on their next degree within six months of graduation, earning acceptances from the likes of Harvard, Yale, Rice, Penn, and the University of Chicago.

• Enrollment: 1,513 (undergraduate); 23 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $33,611 (in-state); $50,282 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1250
• Acceptance Rate: 77%

We hope you have found our list of the Best Colleges for Environmental Science to be useful and informative as you continue your college search process. We also invite you to check out some of our other resources and tools including:

• AP Score Calculators 
• SAT Score Calculator 
• ACT Score Calculator
• Best Summer Programs 
• College List Building Tool
• Best Colleges by Major

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

• 2-Year Colleges
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Essay
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Graduate School Admissions
• High School Success
• High Schools
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Private High School Spotlight
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

I am a... Student Student Parent Counselor Educator Other First Name Last Name Email Address Zip Code Area of Interest Business Computer Science Engineering Fine/Performing Arts Humanities Mathematics STEM Pre-Med Psychology Social Studies/Sciences Submit

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals

Environmental microbiology articles from across Nature Portfolio

Environmental microbiology is the scientific study of microorganisms in the environment. This discipline includes air microbiology, soil microbiology and water microbiology.

Related Subjects

• Air microbiology
• Food microbiology
• Soil microbiology
• Water microbiology

Latest Research and Reviews

Trace gas oxidation sustains energy needs of a thermophilic archaeon at suboptimal temperatures

Diverse bacteria can use the low levels of hydrogen and carbon monoxide present in the air as energy sources for growth and survival. Here, Leung et al. show that ability is also found in thermophilic archaea of the order Sulfolobales .

• Pok Man Leung
• Rhys Grinter
• Chris Greening

Diversity and potential host-interactions of viruses inhabiting deep-sea seamount sediments

Little is known about viral communities in deep-sea seamounts. In this study, the authors performed metagenomic and virome analysis from sediments in the western Pacific Ocean and characterize the diversity, distribution and potential ecological roles of viruses in deep-sea seamount sediments.

• Menghui Zhang

High-throughput sequencing-based analysis of the composition and diversity of the endophyte community in roots of Stellera chamaejasme

• Jun-ze Zhang
• Xin-zhong Li
• Yi-xuan Liu

Unveiling unique microbial nitrogen cycling and nitrification driver in coastal Antarctica

This study reveals a unique microbial nitrogen cycling process in Antarctica’s coastal regions, with nitrification playing a significant role. The research notably identifies comammox Nitrospira clade B as a key driver of this process.

• Xiufeng Tang

Nimble vs. torpid responders to hydration pulse duration among soil microbes

Theory predicts that bacteria living under pulsed growth regimes adapt to pulse duration by adopting different strategies ranging from nimble to torpid responders. Physiological responses to pulse duration of soil bacteria fit the predictions.

• Patrick Kut
• Ferran Garcia-Pichel

An abundant bacterial phylum with nitrite-oxidizing potential in oligotrophic marine sediments

A novel phylum of bacteria widespread in oligotrophic marine sediments are capable of oxidizing nitrite to nitrate and could resolve the apparent abundance mismatch between ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizers.

• Steffen L. Jørgensen
• Andrew R. Babbin

News and Comment

Found: a skilled, courageous postdoctoral fellow.

To select the best postdoctoral fellows for their labs, principal investigators assess scientific qualifications and more.

• Vivien Marx

Simplifying the complexity of microbial responses to chemical mixtures

Characterizing bacterial responses to mixtures of chemical pollutants reveals interactive effects among pollutants. Our study highlights the predictability and resilience of microbial responses to complex mixtures of pollutants, offering the potential for improvements in ecotoxicological assessments.

Mineral-eating microorganisms at extinct hydrothermal vents

Active hydrothermal vents are hotspots of life in the deep sea, but even after hot springs go extinct, highly productive microbial communities continue to thrive on the chemical energy in the minerals left behind.

• Jesse McNichol

Inactive vents, active producers

In this study, Achberger et al. report that microbial communities of inactive hydrothermal deposits contribute to primary productivity in the deep sea.

• Agustina Taglialegna

Decomposer communities are universal in death

Decomposer microbiomes are universal across cadavers regardless of environmental conditions, and they use complex cross-feeding and interkingdom interactions to break down organic matter.

• Michael S. Strickland
• Laurel Lynch

Tackling climate change and deforestation to protect against vector-borne diseases

The spread of vector-borne infectious diseases is driven by a complex array of environmental and social drivers, including climate and land-use changes. Global and regional action is urgently needed to tackle carbon emissions and deforestation to halt future outbreaks.

• Erin A. Mordecai

Wildfires: 2023 among the worst in the EU in this century

A sharp increase in burnt areas was recorded during the summer months of 2023, mostly affecting the Mediterranean region. By total burnt surface area, 2023 was the fourth worst year since 2000.

In 2023, an area around twice the size of Luxembourg was burnt in the EU, amounting to more than half a million (504,002) ha, according to the Advance report on Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa 2023 . So far in 2024, there have already been almost double the average number of fires for this time of the year, but without a major impact in terms of burnt areas.

The report is based on data provided by the JRC-managed European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) which maps wildfires in Europe and the adjacent regions since 2000.

Analysis by different types of vegetation for 2023 shows that 37% of the total burnt area was covered by shrubs and sclerophyllous vegetation, while 26% (120,000 ha) were forests.

The wildfires resulted in severe damage to the environment, producing some 20 megatonnes (Mt) of CO2 emissions – as estimated by EFFIS – equivalent to nearly a third of all emissions from international aviation in the EU in one year.

The 2023 fire season started with more fires in February and March than is usual, resulting in over 100,000 ha burnt in the EU. Some larger fires took place in Spain as early as March and May. However, the wildfire activity really peaked in the summer months, when fire danger conditions became critical in the Mediterranean region.

By the end of the year, the extent of the burnt area mapped by EFFIS reached 504,002 ha, trailing 2017 (988427 ha), 2022 (837212 ha) and 2007 (588388 ha), the three worst years this century.

High fire danger conditions – dry soil, low humidity and high winds – facilitate the ignition of wildfires and their propagation leading to potentially critical wildfire events, sometimes referred to as megafires. The burning intensity of these fires hampers the efficiency of traditional aerial firefighting techniques, which cannot bring them to control until the fire danger conditions improve and allow the intervention of ground firefighting teams.

In fact, 2023 saw the largest single fire ever to occur in Europe since the 1980s. Ignited on 19 August near Alexandroupoli (Greece), it resulted in a burnt area of over 96,000 ha and caused numerous human casualties. The occurrence of these types of severe wildfire events is related to very high and extreme wildfire danger conditions under climate change.

There are, however, ways to prevent such wildfires, for instance by employing nature-based solutions like vegetation management, increased preparedness by using wildfire early warning systems as well as being ready to deploy the efficient firefighting means that are made available through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and the fire management services in EU countries. 

At a global scale, 2023 was marked by unprecedented wildfires in many regions of the world, notably in Canada where the estimated burnt area amounted to over 18 million ha (roughly twice the size of Portugal).

What does the first data for 2024 show?

In 2024, droughts and high temperatures that may favor wildfire ignition and spread of wildfires are again being recorded in many areas of the world. The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that February 2024 has been the warmest on record and the ninth consecutive warmest month. In Europe, wildfires have been recorded in many areas, especially in mountain ranges across the northern areas of the Iberian peninsula.

By mid-March a high number of fires – 1227 – above the average of 645 for this time of the year in the EU, have been mapped by EFFIS, although these did not have major impact in terms of burnt areas.

The Advance report on Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa 2023 describes the conditions under which wildfires developed and their impact across the pan-European territory, with an emphasis on the situation in the EU. This report is regularly published by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) to facilitate the access to data and information on the previous year’s fire campaign.

It is available prior to the publication of the annual report of Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, which will include individual chapters provided by the wildfire administrations in the countries of the EFFIS network, currently gathering 40 countries, and will come out in October this year.

Related links

Advance report on Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa 2023

European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS)

• Risks and opportunities of the future

More news on a similar topic

• General publications
• 21 March 2024

• News announcement
• 18 March 2024

• 20 February 2024

• 9 February 2024

Share this page

Advertisement

Publics’ views on ethical challenges of artificial intelligence: a scoping review

• Open access
• Published: 19 December 2023

Cite this article

You have full access to this open access article

• Helena Machado   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-8554-7619 1 ,
• Susana Silva   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-1335-8648 2 &
• Laura Neiva   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-1954-7597 3  

2581 Accesses

9 Altmetric

Explore all metrics

This scoping review examines the research landscape about publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI. To elucidate how the concerns voiced by the publics are translated within the research domain, this study scrutinizes 64 publications sourced from PubMed ® and Web of Science™. The central inquiry revolves around discerning the motivations, stakeholders, and ethical quandaries that emerge in research on this topic. The analysis reveals that innovation and legitimation stand out as the primary impetuses for engaging the public in deliberations concerning the ethical dilemmas associated with AI technologies. Supplementary motives are rooted in educational endeavors, democratization initiatives, and inspirational pursuits, whereas politicization emerges as a comparatively infrequent incentive. The study participants predominantly comprise the general public and professional groups, followed by AI system developers, industry and business managers, students, scholars, consumers, and policymakers. The ethical dimensions most commonly explored in the literature encompass human agency and oversight, followed by issues centered on privacy and data governance. Conversely, topics related to diversity, nondiscrimination, fairness, societal and environmental well-being, technical robustness, safety, transparency, and accountability receive comparatively less attention. This paper delineates the concrete operationalization of calls for public involvement in AI governance within the research sphere. It underscores the intricate interplay between ethical concerns, public involvement, and societal structures, including political and economic agendas, which serve to bolster technical proficiency and affirm the legitimacy of AI development in accordance with the institutional norms that underlie responsible research practices.

Similar content being viewed by others

The Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) For Meaningful Work

Sarah Bankins & Paul Formosa

The Ethics of AI Ethics: An Evaluation of Guidelines

Thilo Hagendorff

Research Methodology: An Introduction

Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.

1 Introduction

Current advances in the research, development, and application of artificial intelligence (AI) systems have yielded a far-reaching discourse on AI ethics that is accompanied by calls for AI technology to be democratically accountable and trustworthy from the publics’ Footnote 1 perspective [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Consequently, several ethics guidelines for AI have been released in recent years. As of early 2020, there were 167 AI ethics guidelines documents around the world [ 6 ]. Organizations such as the European Commission (EC), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognize that public participation is crucial for ensuring the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies, Footnote 2 emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, transparency, and democratic processes to effectively address the societal implications of AI [ 11 , 12 ]. These efforts were publicly announced as aiming to create a common understanding of ethical AI development and foster responsible practices that address societal concerns while maximizing AI’s potential benefits [ 13 , 14 ]. The concept of human-centric AI has emerged as a key principle in many of these regulatory initiatives, with the purposes of ensuring that human values are incorporated into the design of algorithms, that humans do not lose control over automated systems, and that AI is used in the service of humanity and the common good to improve human welfare and human rights [ 15 ]. Using the same rationale, the opacity and rapid diffusion of AI have prompted debate about how such technologies ought to be governed and which actors and values should be involved in shaping governance regimes [ 1 , 2 ].

While industry and business have traditionally tended to be seen as having no or little incentive to engage with ethics or in dialogue, AI leaders currently sponsor AI ethics [ 6 , 16 , 17 ]. However, some concerns call for ethics, public participation, and human-centric approaches in areas such as AI with high economic and political importance to be used within an instrumental rationale by the AI industry. A growing corpus of critical literature has conceived the development of AI ethics as efforts to reduce ethics to another form of industrial capital or to coopt and capture researchers as part of efforts to control public narratives [ 12 , 18 ]. According to some authors, one of the reasons why ethics is so appealing to many AI companies is to calm critical voices from the publics; therefore, AI ethics is seen as a way of gaining or restoring trust, credibility and support, as well as legitimation, while criticized practices are calmed down to maintain the agenda of industry and science [ 12 , 17 , 19 , 20 ].

Critical approaches also point out that despite regulatory initiatives explicitly invoking the need to incorporate human values into AI systems, they have the main objective of setting rules and standards to enable AI-based products and services to circulate in markets [ 20 , 21 , 22 ] and might serve to avoid or delay binding regulation [ 12 , 23 ]. Other critical studies argue that AI ethics fails to mitigate the racial, social, and environmental damage of AI technologies in any meaningful sense [ 24 ] and excludes alternative ethical practices [ 25 , 26 ]. As explained by Su [ 13 ], in a paper that considers the promise and perils of international human rights in AI governance, while human rights can serve as an authoritative source for holding AI developers accountable, its application to AI governance in practice shows a lack of effectiveness, an inability to effect structural change, and the problem of cooptation.

In a value analysis of AI national strategies, Wilson [ 5 ] concludes that the publics are primarily cast as recipients of AI’s abstract benefits, users of AI-driven services and products, a workforce in need of training and upskilling, or an important element for thriving democratic society that unlocks AI's potential. According to the author, when AI strategies articulate a governance role for the publics, it is more like an afterthought or rhetorical gesture than a clear commitment to putting “society-in-the-loop” into AI design and implementation [ 5 , pp. 7–8]. Another study of how public participation is framed in AI policy documents [ 4 ] shows that high expectations are assigned to public participation as a solution to address concerns about the concentration of power, increases in inequality, lack of diversity, and bias. However, in practice, this framing thus far gives little consideration to some of the challenges well known for researchers and practitioners of public participation with science and technology, such as the difficulty of achieving consensus among diverse societal views, the high resource requirements for public participation exercises, and the risks of capture by vested interests [ 4 , pp. 170–171]. These studies consistently reveal a noteworthy pattern: while references to public participation in AI governance are prevalent in the majority of AI national strategies, they tend to remain abstract and are often overshadowed by other roles, values, and policy concerns.

Some authors thus contended that the increasing demand to involve multiple stakeholders in AI governance, including the publics, signifies a discernible transformation within the sphere of science and technology policy. This transformation frequently embraces the framework of “responsible innovation”, Footnote 3 which emphasizes alignment with societal imperatives, responsiveness to evolving ethical, social, and environmental considerations, and the participation of the publics as well as traditionally defined stakeholders [ 3 , 28 ]. When investigating how the conception and promotion of public participation in European science and technology policies have evolved, Macq, Tancoine, and Strasser [ 29 ] distinguish between “participation in decision-making” (pertaining to science policy decisions or decisions on research topics) and “participation in knowledge and innovation-making”. They find that “while public participation had initially been conceived and promoted as a way to build legitimacy of research policy decisions by involving publics into decision-making processes, it is now also promoted as a way to produce better or more knowledge and innovation by involving publics into knowledge and innovation-making processes, and thus building legitimacy for science and technology as a whole” [ 29 , p. 508]. Although this shift in science and technology research policies has been noted, there exists a noticeable void in the literature in regard to understanding how concrete research practices incorporate public perspectives and embrace multistakeholder approaches, inclusion, and dialogue.

While several studies have delved into the framing of the publics’ role within AI governance in several instances (from Big Tech initiatives to hiring ethics teams and guidelines issued from multiple institutions to governments’ national policies related to AI development), discussing the underlying motivations driving the publics’ participation and the ethical considerations resulting from such involvement, there remains a notable scarcity of knowledge concerning how publicly voiced concerns are concretely translated into research efforts [ 30 , pp. 3–4, 31 , p. 8, 6]. To address this crucial gap, our scoping review endeavors to analyse the research landscape about the publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI. Our primary objective is to uncover the motivations behind involving the publics in research initiatives, identify the segments of the publics that are considered in these studies, and illuminate the ethical concerns that warrant specific attention. Through this scoping review, we aim to enhance the understanding of the political and social backdrop within which debates and prior commitments regarding values and conditions for publics’ participation in matters related to science and technology are formulated and expressed [ 29 , 32 , 33 ] and which specific normative social commitments are projected and performed by institutional science [ 34 , p. 108, [ 35 , p. 856].

We followed the guidance for descriptive systematic scoping reviews by Levac et al. [ 36 ], based on the methodological framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley [ 37 ]. The steps of the review are listed below:

2.1 Stage 1: identifying the research question

The central question guiding this scoping review is the following: What motivations, publics and ethical issues emerge in research addressing the publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI? We ask:

What motivations for engaging the publics with AI technologies are articulated?

Who are the publics invited?

Which ethical issues concerning AI technologies are perceived as needing the participation of the publics?

2.2 Stage 2: identifying relevant studies

A search of the publications on PubMed® and Web of Science™ was conducted on 19 May 2023, with no restriction set for language or time of publication, using the following search expression: (“AI” OR “artificial intelligence”) AND (“public” OR “citizen”) AND “ethics”. The search was followed by backwards reference tracking, examining the references of the selected publications based on full-text assessment.

2.3 Stage 3: study selection

The inclusion criteria allowed only empirical, peer-reviewed, original full-length studies written in English to explore publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI as their main outcome. The exclusion criteria disallowed studies focusing on media discourses and texts. The titles of 1612 records were retrieved. After the removal of duplicates, 1485 records were examined. Two authors (HM and SS) independently screened all the papers retrieved initially, based on the title and abstract, and afterward, based on the full text. This was crosschecked and discussed in both phases, and perfect agreement was achieved.

The screening process is summarized in Fig.  1 . Based on title and abstract assessments, 1265 records were excluded because they were neither original full-length peer-reviewed empirical studies nor focused on the publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI. Of the 220 fully read papers, 54 met the inclusion criteria. After backwards reference tracking, 10 papers were included, and the final review was composed of 64 papers.

Flowchart showing the search results and screening process for the scoping review of publics’ views on ethical challenges of AI

2.4 Stage 4: charting the data

A standardized data extraction sheet was initially developed by two authors (HM and SS) and completed by two coders (SS and LN), including both quantitative and qualitative data (Supplemental Table “Data Extraction”). We used MS Excel to chart the data from the studies.

The two coders independently charted the first 10 records, with any disagreements or uncertainties in abstractions being discussed and resolved by consensus. The forms were further refined and finalized upon consensus before completing the data charting process. Each of the remaining records was charted by one coder. Two meetings were held to ensure consistency in data charting and to verify accuracy. The first author (HM) reviewed the results.

Descriptive data for the characterization of studies included information about the authors and publication year, the country where the study was developed, study aims, type of research (quantitative, qualitative, or other), assessment of the publics’ views, and sample. The types of research participants recruited as publics were coded into 11 categories: developers of AI systems; managers from industry and business; representatives of governance bodies; policymakers; academics and researchers; students; professional groups; general public; local communities; patients/consumers; and other (specify).

Data on the main motivations for researching the publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI were also gathered. Authors’ accounts of their motivations were synthesized into eight categories according to the coding framework proposed by Weingart and colleagues [ 33 ] concerning public engagement with science and technology-related issues: education (to inform and educate the public about AI, improving public access to scientific knowledge); innovation (to promote innovation, the publics are considered to be a valuable source of knowledge and are called upon to contribute to knowledge production, bridge building and including knowledge outside ‘formal’ ethics); legitimation (to promote public trust in and acceptance of AI, as well as of policies supporting AI); inspiration (to inspire and raise interest in AI, to secure a STEM-educated labor force); politicization (to address past political injustices and historical exclusion); democratization (to empower citizens to participate competently in society and/or to participate in AI); other (specify); and not clearly evident.

Based on the content analysis technique [ 38 ], ethical issues perceived as needing the participation of the publics were identified through quotations stated in the studies. These were then summarized in seven key ethical principles, according to the proposal outlined by the EC's Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI [ 39 ]: human agency and oversight; technical robustness and safety; privacy and data governance; transparency; diversity, nondiscrimination and fairness; societal and environmental well-being; and accountability.

2.5 Stage 5: collating, summarizing, and reporting the results

The main characteristics of the 64 studies included can be found in Table  1 . Studies were grouped by type of research and ordered by the year of publication. The findings regarding the publics invited to participate are presented in Fig.  2 . The main motivations for engaging the publics with AI technologies and the ethical issues perceived as needing the participation of the publics are summarized in Tables  2 and 3 , respectively. The results are presented below in a narrative format, with complimentary tables and figures to provide a visual representation of key findings.

Publics invited to engage with issues framed as ethical challenges of AI

There are some methodological limitations in this scoping review that should be taken into account when interpreting the results. The use of only two search engines may preclude the inclusion of relevant studies, although supplemented by scanning the reference list of eligible studies. An in-depth analysis of the topics explored within each of the seven key ethical principles outlined by the EC's Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI was not conducted. This assessment would lead to a detailed understanding of the publics’ views on ethical challenges of AI.

3.1 Study characteristics

Most of the studies were in recent years, with 35 of the 64 studies being published in 2022 and 2023. Journals were listed either on the databases related to Science Citation Index Expanded (n = 25) or the Social Science Citation Index (n = 23), with fewer journals indexed in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (n = 7) and the Arts and Humanities Citation Index (n = 2). Works covered a wide range of fields, including health and medicine (services, policy, medical informatics, medical ethics, public and environmental health); education; business, management and public administration; computer science; information sciences; engineering; robotics; communication; psychology; political science; and transportation. Beyond the general assessment of publics’ attitudes toward, preferences for, and expectations and concerns about AI, the publics’ views on ethical challenges of AI technologies have been studied mainly concerning healthcare and public services and less frequently regarding autonomous vehicles (AV), education, robotic technologies, and smart homes. Most of the studies (n = 47) were funded by research agencies, with 7 papers reporting conflicts of interest.

Quantitative research approaches have assessed the publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI mainly through online or web-based surveys and experimental platforms, relying on Delphi studies, moral judgment studies, hypothetical vignettes, and choice-based/comparative conjoint surveys. The 25 qualitative studies collected data mainly by semistructured or in-depth interviews. Analysis of publicly available material reporting on AI-use cases, focus groups, a post hoc self-assessment, World Café, participatory research, and practice-based design research were used once or twice. Multi or mixed-methods studies relied on surveys with open-ended and closed questions, frequently combined with focus groups, in-depth interviews, literature reviews, expert opinions, examinations of relevant curriculum examples, tests, and reflexive writings.

The studies were performed (where stated) in a wide variety of countries, including the USA and Australia. More than half of the studies (n = 38) were conducted in a single country. Almost all studies used nonprobability sampling techniques. In quantitative studies, sample sizes varied from 2.3 M internet users in an online experimental platform study [ 40 ] to 20 participants in a Delphi study [ 41 ]. In qualitative studies, the samples varied from 123 participants in 21 focus groups [ 42 ] to six expert interviews [ 43 ]. In multi or mixed-methods studies, samples varied from 2036 participants [ 44 ] to 21 participants [ 45 ].

3.2 Motivations for engaging the publics

The qualitative synthesis of the motivations for researching the publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI is presented in Table  2 and ordered by the number of studies referencing them in the scoping review. More than half of the studies (n = 37) addressed a single motivation. Innovation (n = 33) and legitimation (n = 29) proved to have the highest relevance as motivations for engaging the publics in the ethical challenges of AI technologies, as articulated in 15 studies. Additional motivations are rooted in education (n = 13), democratization (n = 11), and inspiration (n = 9). Politicization was mentioned in five studies. Although they were not authors’ motivations, few studies were found to have educational [ 46 , 47 ], democratization [ 48 , 49 ], and legitimation or inspirations effects [ 50 ].

To consider the publics as a valuable source of knowledge that can add real value to innovation processes in both the private and public sectors was the most frequent motivation mentioned in the literature. The call for public participation is rooted in the aspiration to add knowledge outside “formal” ethics at three interrelated levels. First, at a societal level, by asking what kind of AI we want as a society based on novel experiments on public policy preferences [ 51 ] and on the study of public perceptions, values, and concerns regarding AI design, development, and implementation in domains such as health care [ 46 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ], public and social services [ 49 , 56 , 57 , 58 ], AV [ 59 , 60 ] and journalism [ 61 ]. Second, at a practical level, the literature provides insights into the perceived usefulness of AI applications [ 62 , 63 ] and choices between boosting developers’ voluntary adoption of ethical standards or imposing ethical standards via regulation and oversight [ 64 ], as well as suggesting specific guidance for the development and use of AI systems [ 65 , 66 , 67 ]. Finally, at a theoretical level, literature expands the social-technical perspective [ 68 ] and motivated-reasoning theory [ 69 ].

Legitimation was also a frequent motivation for engaging the publics. It was underpinned by the need for public trust in and social licences for implementing AI technologies. To ensure the long-term social acceptability of AI as a trustworthy technology [ 70 , 71 ] was perceived as essential to support its use and to justify its implementation. In one study [ 72 ], the authors developed an AI ethics scale to quantify how AI research is accepted in society and which area of ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) people are most concerned with. Public trust in and acceptance of AI is claimed by social institutions such as governments, private sectors, industry bodies, and the science community, behaving in a trustworthy manner, respecting public concerns, aligning with societal values, and involving members of the publics in decision-making and public policy [ 46 , 48 , 73 , 74 , 75 ], as well as in the responsible design and integration of AI technologies [ 52 , 76 , 77 ].

Education, democratization, and inspiration had a more modest presence as motivations to explore the publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI. Considering the emergence of new roles and tasks related to AI, the literature has pointed to the public need to ensure the safe use of AI technologies by incorporating ethics and career futures into the education, preparation, and training of both middle school and university students and the current and future health workforce. Improvements in education and guidance for developers and older adults were also noticed. The views of the publics on what needs to be learned or how this learning may be supported or assessed were perceived as crucial. In one study [ 78 ], the authors developed strategies that promote learning related to AI through collaborative media production, connecting computational thinking to civic issues and creative expression. In another study [ 79 ], real-world scenarios were successfully used as a novel approach to teaching AI ethics. Rhim et al. [ 76 ] provided AV moral behavior design guidelines for policymakers, developers, and the publics by reducing the abstractness of AV morality.

Studies motivated by democratization promoted broader public participation in AI, aiming to empower citizens both to express their understandings, apprehensions, and concerns about AI [ 43 , 78 , 80 , 81 ] and to address ethical issues in AI as critical consumers, (potential future) developers of AI technologies or would-be participants in codesign processes [ 40 , 43 , 45 , 78 , 82 , 83 ]. Understanding the publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI is expected to influence companies and policymakers [ 40 ]. In one study [ 45 ], the authors explored how a digital app might support citizens’ engagement in AI governance by informing them, raising public awareness, measuring publics’ attitudes and supporting collective decision-making.

Inspiration revolved around three main motivations: to raise public interest in AI [ 46 , 48 ]; to guide future empirical and design studies [ 79 ]; and to promote developers’ moral awareness through close collaboration between all those involved in the implementation, use, and design of AI technologies [ 46 , 61 , 78 , 84 , 85 ].

Politicization was the less frequent motivation reported in the literature for engaging the publics. Recognizing the need for mitigation of social biases [ 86 ], public participation to address historically marginalized populations [ 78 , 87 ], and promoting social equity [ 79 ] were the highlighted motives.

3.3 The invited publics

Study participants were mostly the general public and professional groups, followed by developers of AI systems, managers from industry and business, students, academics and researchers, patients/consumers, and policymakers (Fig.  2 ). The views of local communities and representatives of governance bodies were rarely assessed.

Representative samples of the general public were used in five papers related to studies conducted in the USA [ 88 ], Denmark [ 73 ], Germany [ 48 ], and Austria [ 49 , 63 ]. The remaining random or purposive samples from the general public comprised mainly adults and current and potential users of AI products and services, with few studies involving informal caregivers or family members of patients (n = 3), older people (n = 2), and university staff (n = 2).

Samples of professional groups included mainly healthcare professionals (19 out of 24 studies). Educators, law enforcement, media practitioners, and GLAM professionals (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) were invited once.

3.4 Ethical issues

The ethical issues concerning AI technologies perceived as needing the participation of the publics are depicted in Table  3 . They were mapped by measuring the number of studies referencing them in the scoping review. Human agency and oversight (n = 55) was the most frequent ethical aspect that was studied in the literature, followed by those centered on privacy and data governance (n = 43). Diversity, nondiscrimination and fairness (n = 39), societal and environmental well-being (n = 39), technical robustness and safety (n = 38), transparency (n = 35), and accountability (n = 31) were less frequently discussed.

The concerns regarding human agency and oversight were the replacement of human beings by AI technologies and deskilling [ 47 , 55 , 67 , 74 , 75 , 89 , 90 ]; the loss of autonomy, critical thinking, and innovative capacities [ 50 , 58 , 61 , 77 , 78 , 83 , 85 , 90 ]; the erosion of human judgment and oversight [ 41 , 70 , 91 ]; and the potential for (over)dependence on technology and “oversimplified” decisions [ 90 ] due to the lack of publics’ expertise in judging and controlling AI technologies [ 68 ]. Beyond these ethical challenges, the following contributions of AI systems to empower human beings were noted: more fruitful and empathetic social relationships [ 47 , 68 , 90 ]; enhancing human capabilities and quality of life [ 68 , 70 , 74 , 83 , 92 ]; improving efficiency and productivity at work [ 50 , 53 , 62 , 65 , 83 ] by reducing errors [ 77 ], relieving the burden of professionals and/or increasing accuracy in decisions [ 47 , 55 , 90 ]; and facilitating and expanding access to safe and fair healthcare [ 42 , 53 , 54 ] through earlier diagnosis, increased screening and monitoring, and personalized prescriptions [ 47 , 90 ]. To foster human rights, allowing people to make informed decisions, the last say was up to the person themselves [ 42 , 43 , 46 , 55 , 64 , 67 , 73 , 76 ]. People should determine where and when to use automated functions and which functions to use [ 44 , 54 ], developing “job sharing” arrangements with machines and humans complementing and enriching each other [ 56 , 65 , 90 ]. The literature highlights the need to build AI systems that are under human control [ 48 , 70 ] whether to confirm or to correct the AI system’s outputs and recommendations [ 66 , 90 ]. Proper oversight mechanisms were seen as crucial to ensure accuracy and completeness, with divergent views about who should be involved in public participation approaches [ 86 , 87 ].

Data sharing and/or data misuse were considered the major roadblocks regarding privacy and data governance, with some studies pointing out distrust of participants related to commercial interests in health data [ 55 , 90 , 93 , 94 , 95 ] and concerns regarding risks of information getting into the hands of hackers, banks, employers, insurance companies, or governments [ 66 ]. As data are the backbone of AI, secure methods of data storage and protection are understood as needing to be provided from the input to the output data. Recognizing that in contemporary societies, people are aware of the consequences of smartphone use resulting in the minimization of privacy concerns [ 93 ], some studies have focused on the impacts of data breaches and loss of privacy and confidentiality [ 43 , 45 , 46 , 60 , 62 , 80 ] in relation to health-sensitive personal data [ 46 , 93 ], potentially affecting more vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens and mentally ill patients [ 82 , 90 ] as well as those at young ages [ 50 ], and when journalistic organizations collect user data to provide personalized news suggestions [ 61 ]. The need to find a balance between widening access to data and ensuring confidentiality and respect for privacy [ 53 ] was often expressed in three interrelated terms: first, the ability of data subjects to be fully informed about how data will be used and given the option of providing informed consent [ 46 , 58 , 78 ] and controlling personal information about oneself [ 57 ]; second, the need for regulation [ 52 , 65 , 87 ], with one study reporting that AI developers complain about the complexity, slowness, and obstacles created by regulation [ 64 ]; and last, the testing and certification of AI-enabled products and services [ 71 ]. The study by De Graaf et al. [ 91 ] discussed the robots’ right to store and process the data they collect, while Jenkins and Draper [ 42 ] explored less intrusive ways in which the robot could use information to report back to carers about the patient’s adherence to healthcare.

Studies discussing diversity, nondiscrimination, and fairness have pointed to the development of AI systems that reflect and reify social inequalities [ 45 , 78 ] through nonrepresentative datasets [ 55 , 58 , 96 , 97 ] and algorithmic bias [ 41 , 45 , 85 , 98 ] that might benefit some more than others. This could have multiple negative consequences for different groups based on ethnicity, disease, physical disability, age, gender, culture, or socioeconomic status [ 43 , 55 , 58 , 78 , 82 , 87 ], from the dissemination of hate speech [ 79 ] to the exacerbation of discrimination, which negatively impacts peace and harmony within society [ 58 ]. As there were cross-country differences and issue variations in the publics’ views of discriminatory bias [ 51 , 72 , 73 ], fostering diversity, inclusiveness, and cultural plurality [ 61 ] was perceived as crucial to ensure the transferability/effectiveness of AI systems in all social groups [ 60 , 94 ]. Diversity, nondiscrimination, and fairness were also discussed as a means to help reduce health inequalities [ 41 , 67 , 90 ], to compensate for human preconceptions about certain individuals [ 66 ], and to promote equitable distribution of benefits and burdens [ 57 , 71 , 80 , 93 ], namely, supporting access by all to the same updated and high-quality AI systems [ 50 ]. In one study [ 83 ], students provided constructive solutions to build an unbiased AI system, such as using a dataset that includes a diverse dataset engaging people of different ages, genders, ethnicities, and cultures. In another study [ 86 ], participants recommended diverse approaches to mitigate algorithmic bias, from open disclosure of limitations to consumer and patient engagement, representation of marginalized groups, incorporation of equity considerations into sampling methods and legal recourse, and identification of a wide range of stakeholders who may be responsible for addressing AI bias: developers, healthcare workers, manufacturers and vendors, policymakers and regulators, AI researchers and consumers.

Impacts on employment and social relationships were considered two major ethical challenges regarding societal and environmental well-being. The literature has discussed tensions between job creation [ 51 ] and job displacement [ 42 , 90 ], efficiency [ 90 ], and deskilling [ 57 ]. The concerns regarding future social relationships were the loss of empathy, humanity, and/or sensitivity [ 52 , 66 , 90 , 99 ]; isolation and fewer social connections [ 42 , 47 , 90 ]; laziness [ 50 , 83 ]; anxious counterreactions [ 83 , 99 ]; communication problems [ 90 ]; technology dependence [ 60 ]; plagiarism and cheating in education [ 50 ]; and becoming too emotionally attached to a robot [ 65 ]. To overcome social unawareness [ 56 ] and lack of acceptance [ 65 ] due to financial costs [ 56 , 90 ], ecological burden [ 45 ], fear of the unknown [ 65 , 83 ] and/or moral issues [ 44 , 59 , 100 ], AI systems need to provide public benefit sharing [ 55 ], consider discrepancies between public discourse about AI and the utility of the tools in real-world settings and practices [ 53 ], conform to the best standards of sustainability and address climate change and environmental justice [ 60 , 71 ]. Successful strategies in promoting the acceptability of robots across contexts included an approachable and friendly looking as possible, but not too human-like [ 49 , 65 ], and working with, rather than in competition, with humans [ 42 ].

The publics were invited to participate in the following ethical issues related to technical robustness and safety: usability, reliability, liability, and quality assurance checks of AI tools [ 44 , 45 , 55 , 62 , 99 ]; validity of big data analytic tools [ 87 ]; the degree to which an AI system can perform tasks without errors or mistakes [ 50 , 57 , 66 , 84 , 90 , 93 ]; and needed resources to perform appropriate (cyber)security [ 62 , 101 ]. Other studies approached the need to consider both material and normative concerns of AI applications [ 51 ], namely, assuring that AI systems are developed responsibly with proper consideration of risks [ 71 ] and sufficient proof of benefits [ 96 ]. One study [ 64 ] highlighted that AI developers tend to be reluctant to recognize safety issues, bias, errors, and failures, and when they do so, they do so in a selective manner and in their terms by adopting positive-sounding professional jargon as AI robustness.

Some studies recognized the need for greater transparency that reduces the mystery and opaqueness of AI systems [ 71 , 82 , 101 ] and opens its “black box” [ 64 , 71 , 98 ]. Clear insights about “what AI is/is not” and “how AI technology works” (definition, applications, implications, consequences, risks, limitations, weaknesses, threats, rewards, strengths, opportunities) were considered as needed to debunk the myth about AI as an independent entity [ 53 ] and for providing sufficient information and understandable explanations of “what’s happening” to society and individuals [ 43 , 48 , 72 , 73 , 78 , 102 ]. Other studies considered that people, when using AI tools, should be made fully aware that these AI devices are capturing and using their data [ 46 ] and how data are collected [ 58 ] and used [ 41 , 46 , 93 ]. Other transparency issues reported in the literature included the need for more information about the composition of data training sets [ 55 ], how algorithms work [ 51 , 55 , 84 , 94 , 97 ], how AI makes a decision [ 57 ] and the motivations for that decision [ 98 ]. Transparency requirements were also addressed as needing the involvement of multiple stakeholders: one study reported that transparency requirements should be seen as a mediator of debate between experts, citizens, communities, and stakeholders [ 87 ] and cannot be reduced to a product feature, avoiding experiences where people feel overwhelmed by explanations [ 98 ] or “too much information” [ 66 ].

Accountability was perceived by the publics as an important ethical issue [ 48 ], while developers expressed mixed attitudes, from moral disengagement to a sense of responsibility and moral conflict and uncertainty [ 85 ]. The literature has revealed public skepticism regarding accountability mechanisms [ 93 ] and criticism about the shift of responsibility away from tech industries that develop and own AI technologies [ 53 , 68 ], as it opens space for users to assume their own individual responsibility [ 78 ]. This was the case in studies that explored accountability concerns regarding the assignment of fault and responsibility for car accidents using self-driving technology [ 60 , 76 , 77 , 88 ]. Other studies considered that more attention is needed to scrutinize each application across the AI life cycle [ 41 , 71 , 94 ], to explainability of AI algorithms that provide to the publics the cause of AI outcomes [ 58 ], and to regulations that assign clear responsibility concerning litigation and liability [ 52 , 89 , 101 , 103 ].

4 Discussion

Within the realm of research studies encompassed in the scoping review, the contemporary impetus for engaging the publics in ethical considerations related to AI predominantly revolves around two key motivations: innovation and legitimation. This might be explained by the current emphasis on responsible innovation, which values the publics’ participation in knowledge and innovation-making [ 29 ] within a prioritization of the instrumental role of science for innovation and economic return [ 33 ]. Considering the publics as a valuable source of knowledge that should be called upon to contribute to knowledge innovation production is underpinned by the desire for legitimacy, specifically centered around securing the publics’ endorsement of scientific and technological advancements [ 33 , 104 ]. Approaching the publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI can also be used as a form of risk prevention to reduce conflict and close vital debates in contention areas [ 5 , 34 , 105 ].

A second aspect that stood out in this finding is a shift in the motivations frequently reported as central for engaging the publics with AI technologies. Previous studies analysing AI national policies and international guidelines addressing AI governance [ 3 , 4 , 5 ] and a study analysing science communication journals [ 33 ] highlighted education, inspiration and democratization as the most prominent motivations. Our scoping review did not yield similar findings, which might signal a departure, in science policy related to public participation, from the past emphasis on education associated with the deficit model of public understanding of science and democratization of the model of public engagement with science [ 106 , 107 ].

The underlying motives for the publics’ engagement raise the question of the kinds of publics it addresses, i.e., who are the publics that are supposed to be recruited as research participants [ 32 ]. Our findings show a prevalence of the general public followed by professional groups and developers of AI systems. The wider presence of the general public indicates not only what Hagendijk and Irwin [ 32 , p. 167] describe as a fashionable tendency in policy circles since the late 1990s, and especially in Europe, focused on engaging 'the public' in scientific and technological change but also the avoidance of the issues of democratic representation [ 12 , 18 ]. Additionally, the unspecificity of the “public” does not stipulate any particular action [ 24 ] that allows for securing legitimacy for and protecting the interests of a wide range of stakeholders [ 19 , 108 ] while bringing the risk of silencing the voices of the very publics with whom engagement is sought [ 33 ]. The focus on approaching the publics’ views on the ethical challenges of AI through the general public also demonstrates how seeking to “lay” people’s opinions may be driven by a desire to promote public trust and acceptance of AI developments, showing how science negotiates challenges and reinstates its authority [ 109 ].

While this strategy is based on nonscientific audiences or individuals who are not associated with any scientific discipline or area of inquiry as part of their professional activities, the converse strategy—i.e., involving professional groups and AI developers—is also noticeable in our findings. This suggests that technocratic expert-dominated approaches coexist with a call for more inclusive multistakeholder approaches [ 3 ]. This coexistence is reinforced by the normative principles of the “responsible innovation” framework, in particular the prescription that innovation should include the publics as well as traditionally defined stakeholders [ 3 , 110 ], whose input has become so commonplace that seeking the input of laypeople on emerging technologies is sometimes described as a “standard procedure” [ 111 , p. 153].

In the body of literature included in the scoping review, human agency and oversight emerged as the predominant ethical dimension under investigation. This finding underscores the pervasive significance attributed to human centricity, which is progressively integrated into public discourses concerning AI, innovation initiatives, and market-driven endeavours [ 15 , 112 ]. In our perspective, the importance given to human-centric AI is emblematic of the “techno-regulatory imaginary” suggested by Rommetveit and van Dijk [ 35 ] in their study about privacy engineering applied in the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. This term encapsulates the evolving collective vision and conceptualization of the role of technology in regulatory and oversight contexts. At least two aspects stand out in the techno-regulatory imaginary, as they are meant to embed technoscience in societally acceptable ways. First, it reinstates pivotal demarcations between humans and nonhumans while concurrently producing intensified blurring between these two realms. Second, the potential resolutions offered relate to embedding fundamental rights within the structural underpinnings of technological architectures [ 35 ].

Following human agency and oversight, the most frequent ethical issue discussed in the studies contained in our scoping review was privacy and data governance. Our findings evidence additional central aspects of the “techno-regulatory imaginary” in the sense that instead of the traditional regulatory sites, modes of protecting privacy and data are increasingly located within more privatized and business-oriented institutions [ 6 , 35 ] and crafted according to a human-centric view of rights. The focus on secure ways of data storage and protection as in need to be provided from the input to the output data, the testing and certification of AI-enabled products and services, the risks of data breaches, and calls for finding a balance between widening access to data and ensuring confidentiality and respect for privacy, exhibited by many studies in this scoping review, portray an increasing framing of privacy and data protection within technological and standardization sites. This tendency shows how forms of expertise for privacy and data protection are shifting away from traditional regulatory and legal professionals towards privacy engineers and risk assessors in information security and software development. Another salient element to highlight pertains to the distribution of responsibility for privacy and data governance [ 6 , 113 ] within the realm of AI development through engagement with external stakeholders, including users, governmental bodies, and regulatory authorities. It extends from an emphasis on issues derived from data sharing and data misuse to facilitating individuals to exercise control over their data and privacy preferences and to advocating for regulatory frameworks that do not impede the pace of innovation. This distribution of responsibility shared among the contributions and expectations of different actors is usually convoked when the operationalization of ethics principles conflicts with AI deployment [ 6 ]. In this sense, privacy and data governance are reconstituted as a “normative transversal” [ 113 , p. 20], both of which work to stabilize or close controversies, while their operationalization does not modify any underlying operations in AI development.

Diversity, nondiscrimination and fairness, societal and environmental well-being, technical robustness and safety, transparency, and accountability were the ethical issues less frequently discussed in the studies included in this scoping review. In contrast, ethical issues of technical robustness and safety, transparency, and accountability “are those for which technical fixes can be or have already been developed” and “implemented in terms of technical solutions” [ 12 , p. 103]. The recognition of issues related to technical robustness and safety expresses explicit admissions of expert ignorance, error, or lack of control, which opens space for politics of “optimization of algorithms” [ 114 , p. 17] while reinforcing “strategic ignorance” [ 114 , p. 89]. In the words of the sociologist Linsey McGoey, strategic ignorance refers to “any actions which mobilize, manufacture or exploit unknowns in a wider environment to avoid liability for earlier actions” [ 115 , p. 3].

According to the analysis of Jobin et al. [ 11 ] of the global landscape of existing ethics guidelines for AI, transparency comprising efforts to increase explainability, interpretability, or other acts of communication and disclosure is the most prevalent principle in the current literature. Transparency gains high relevance in ethics guidelines because this principle has become a pro-ethical condition “enabling or impairing other ethical practices or principles” [Turilli and Floridi 2009, [ 11 ], p. 14]. Our findings highlight transparency as a crucial ethical concern for explainability and disclosure. However, as emphasized by Ananny and Crawford [ 116 , p. 973], there are serious limitations to the transparency ideal in making black boxes visible (i.e., disclosing and explaining algorithms), since “being able to see a system is sometimes equated with being able to know how it works and governs it—a pattern that recurs in recent work about transparency and computational systems”. The emphasis on transparency mirrors Aradau and Blanke’s [ 114 ] observation that Big Tech firms are creating their version of transparency. They are prompting discussions about their data usage, whether it is for “explaining algorithms” or addressing bias and discrimination openly.

The framing of ethical issues related to accountability, as elucidated by the studies within this scoping review, manifests as a commitment to ethical conduct and the transparent allocation of responsibility and legal obligations in instances where the publics encounters algorithmic deficiencies, glitches, or other imperfections. Within this framework, accountability becomes intricately intertwined with the notion of distributed responsibility, as expounded upon in our examination of how the literature addresses challenges in privacy and data governance. Simultaneously, it converges with our discussion on optimizing algorithms concerning ethical concerns on technical robustness and safety by which AI systems are portrayed as fallible yet eternally evolving towards optimization. As astutely observed by Aradau and Blanke [ 114 , p. 171], “forms of accountability through error enact algorithmic systems as fallible but ultimately correctable and therefore always desirable. Errors become temporary malfunctions, while the future of algorithms is that of indefinite optimization”.

5 Conclusion

This scoping review of how publics' views on ethical challenges of AI are framed, articulated, and concretely operationalized in the research sector shows that ethical issues and publics formation are closely entangled with symbolic and social orders, including political and economic agendas and visions. While Steinhoff [ 6 ] highlights the subordinated nature of AI ethics within an innovation network, drawing on insights from diverse sources beyond Big Tech, we assert that this network is dynamically evolving towards greater hybridity and boundary fusion. In this regard, we extend Steinhoff's argument by emphasizing the imperative for a more nuanced understanding of how this network operates within diverse contexts. Specifically, within the research sector, it operates through a convergence of boundaries, engaging human and nonhuman entities and various disciplines and stakeholders. Concurrently, the advocacy for diversity and inclusivity, along with the acknowledgement of errors and flaws, serves to bolster technical expertise and reaffirm the establishment of order and legitimacy in alignment with the institutional norms underpinning responsible research practices.

Our analysis underscores the growing importance of involving the publics in AI knowledge creation and innovation, both to secure public endorsement and as a tool for risk prevention and conflict mitigation. We observe two distinct approaches: one engaging nonscientific audiences and the other involving professional groups and AI developers, emphasizing the need for inclusivity while safeguarding expert knowledge. Human-centred approaches are gaining prominence, emphasizing the distinction and blending of human and nonhuman entities and embedding fundamental rights in technological systems. Privacy and data governance emerge as the second most prevalent ethical concern, shifting expertise away from traditional regulatory experts to privacy engineers and risk assessors. The distribution of responsibility for privacy and data governance is a recurring theme, especially in cases of ethical conflicts with AI deployment. However, there is a notable imbalance in attention, with less focus on diversity, nondiscrimination, fairness, societal, and environmental well-being, compared to human-centric AI, privacy, and data governance being managed through technical fixes. Last, acknowledging technical robustness and safety, transparency, and accountability as foundational ethics principles reveals an openness to expert limitations, allowing room for the politics of algorithm optimization, framing AI systems as correctable and perpetually evolving.

Data availability

This manuscript has data included as electronic supplementary material. The dataset constructed by the authors, resulting from a search of publications on PubMed ® and Web of Science™, analysed in the current study, is not publicly available. But it can be available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

In this article, we will employ the term "publics" rather than the singular "public" to delineate our viewpoint concerning public participation in AI. Our option is meant to acknowledge that there are no uniform, monolithic viewpoints or interests. From our perspective, the term "publics" allows for a more nuanced understanding of the various groups, communities, and individuals who may have different attitudes, beliefs, and concerns regarding AI. This choice may differ from the terminology employed in the referenced literature.

The following examples are particularly illustrative of the multiplicity of organizations emphasizing the need for public participation in AI. The OECD Recommendations of the Council on AI specifically emphasizes the importance of empowering stakeholders considering essential their engagement to adoption of trustworthy [ 7 , p. 6]. The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI emphasizes that public awareness and understanding of AI technologies should be promoted (recommendation 44) and it encourages governments and other stakeholders to involve the publics in AI decision-making processes (recommendation 47) [ 8 , p. 23]. The European Union (EU) White Paper on AI [ 9 , p. 259] outlines the EU’s approach to AI, including the need for public consultation and engagement. The Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI [ 10 , pp. 19, 239], developed by the High-Level Expert Group on AI (HLEG) appointed by the EC, emphasize the importance of public participation and consultation in the design, development, and deployment of AI systems.

“Responsible Innovation” (RI) and “Responsible Research and Innovation” (RRI) have emerged in parallel and are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing [ 27 , 28 ]. RRI is a policy-driven discourse that emerged from the EC in the early 2010s, while RI emerged largely from academic roots. For this paper, we will not consider the distinctive features of each discourse, but instead focus on the common features they share.

Cath, C., Wachter, S., Mittelstadt, B., Taddeo, M., Floridi, L.: Artificial intelligence and the ‘good society’: the US, EU, and UK approach. Sci. Eng. Ethics 24 , 505–528 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-017-9901-7

Article   Google Scholar  

Cussins, J.N.: Decision points in AI governance. CLTC white paper series. Center for Long-term Cybersecurity. https://cltc.berkeley.edu/publication/decision-points-in-ai-governance/ (2020). Accessed 8 July 2023

Ulnicane, I., Okaibedi Eke, D., Knight, W., Ogoh, G., Stahl, B.: Good governance as a response to discontents? Déjà vu, or lessons for AI from other emerging technologies. Interdiscip. Sci. Rev. 46 (1–2), 71–93 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1080/03080188.2020.1840220

Ulnicane, I., Knight, W., Leach, T., Stahl, B., Wanjiku, W.: Framing governance for a contested emerging technology: insights from AI policy. Policy Soc. 40 (2), 158–177 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1080/14494035.2020.1855800

Wilson, C.: Public engagement and AI: a values analysis of national strategies. Gov. Inf. Q. 39 (1), 101652 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2021.101652

Steinhoff, J.: AI ethics as subordinated innovation network. AI Soc. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01658-5

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Recommendation of the Council on Artificial Intelligence. https://legalinstruments.oecd.org/en/instruments/oecd-legal-0449 (2019). Accessed 8 July 2023

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000381137 (2021). Accessed 28 June 2023

European Commission. On artificial intelligence – a European approach to excellence and trust. White paper. COM(2020) 65 final. https://commission.europa.eu/publications/white-paper-artificial-intelligence-european-approach-excellence-and-trust_en (2020). Accessed 28 June 2023

European Commission. The ethics guidelines for trustworthy AI. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, EC Publications Office. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/ethics-guidelines-trustworthy-ai (2019). Accessed 10 July 2023

Jobin, A., Ienca, M., Vayena, E.: The global landscape of AI ethics guidelines. Nat. Mach. Intell. 1 , 389–399 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42256-019-0088-2

Hagendorff, T.: The ethics of AI ethics: an evaluation of guidelines. Minds Mach. 30 , 99–120 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11023-020-09517-8

Su, A.: The promise and perils of international human rights law for AI governance. Law Technol. Hum. 4 (2), 166–182 (2022). https://doi.org/10.5204/lthj.2332

Article   MathSciNet   Google Scholar  

Ulnicane, I.: Emerging technology for economic competitiveness or societal challenges? Framing purpose in artificial intelligence policy. GPPG. 2 , 326–345 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43508-022-00049-8

Sigfrids, A., Leikas, J., Salo-Pöntinen, H., Koskimies, E.: Human-centricity in AI governance: a systemic approach. Front Artif. Intell. 6 , 976887 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2023.976887

Benkler, Y.: Don’t let industry write the rules for AI. Nature 569 (7755), 161 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-01413-1

Phan, T., Goldenfein, J., Mann, M., Kuch, D.: Economies of virtue: the circulation of ‘ethics’ in Big Tech. Sci. Cult. 31 (1), 121–135 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1080/09505431.2021.1990875

Ochigame, R.: The invention of “ethical AI”: how big tech manipulates academia to avoid regulation. Intercept. https://theintercept.com/2019/12/20/mit-ethical-ai-artificial-intelligence/ (2019). Accessed 10 July 2023

Ferretti, T.: An institutionalist approach to ai ethics: justifying the priority of government regulation over self-regulation. MOPP 9 (2), 239–265 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1515/mopp-2020-0056

van Maanen, G.: AI ethics, ethics washing, and the need to politicize data ethics. DISO 1 (9), 1–23 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44206-022-00013-3

Gerdes, A.: The tech industry hijacking of the AI ethics research agenda and why we should reclaim it. Discov. Artif. Intell. 2 (25), 1–8 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-022-00043-3

Amariles, D.R., Baquero, P.M.: Promises and limits of law for a human-centric artificial intelligence. Comput. Law Secur. Rev. 48 (105795), 1–10 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2023.105795

Mittelstadt, B.: Principles alone cannot guarantee ethical AI. Nat. Mach. Intell. 1 (11), 501–507 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42256-019-0114-4

Munn, L.: The uselessness of AI ethics. AI Ethics 3 , 869–877 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-022-00209-w

Heilinger, J.C.: The ethics of AI ethics. A constructive critique. Philos. Technol. 35 (61), 1–20 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-022-00557-9

Roche, C., Wall, P.J., Lewis, D.: Ethics and diversity in artificial intelligence policies, strategies and initiatives. AI Ethics (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-022-00218-9

Diercks, G., Larsen, H., Steward, F.: Transformative innovation policy: addressing variety in an emerging policy paradigm. Res. Policy 48 (4), 880–894 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2018.10.028

Owen, R., Pansera, M.: Responsible innovation and responsible research and innovation. In: Dagmar, S., Kuhlmann, S., Stamm, J., Canzler, W. (eds.) Handbook on Science and Public Policy, pp. 26–48. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham (2019)

Google Scholar  

Macq, H., Tancoigne, E., Strasser, B.J.: From deliberation to production: public participation in science and technology policies of the European Commission (1998–2019). Minerva 58 (4), 489–512 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11024-020-09405-6

Cath, C.: Governing artificial intelligence: ethical, legal and technical opportunities and challenges. Philos. Trans. Royal Soc. A. 376 , 20180080 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2018.0080

Wilson, C.: The socialization of civic participation norms in government?: Assessing the effect of the Open Government Partnership on countries’e-participation. Gov. Inf. Q. 37 (4), 101476 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2020.101476

Hagendijk, R., Irwin, A.: Public deliberation and governance: engaging with science and technology in contemporary Europe. Minerva 44 (2), 167–184 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11024-006-0012-x

Weingart, P., Joubert, M., Connoway, K.: Public engagement with science - origins, motives and impact in academic literature and science policy. PLoS One 16 (7), e0254201 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254201

Wynne, B.: Public participation in science and technology: performing and obscuring a political–conceptual category mistake. East Asian Sci. 1 (1), 99–110 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1215/s12280-007-9004-7

Rommetveit, K., Van Dijk, N.: Privacy engineering and the techno-regulatory imaginary. Soc. Stud. Sci. 52 (6), 853–877 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1177/03063127221119424

Levac, D., Colquhoun, H., O’Brien, K.: Scoping studies: advancing the methodology. Implement. Sci. 5 (69), 1–9 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-5-69

Arksey, H., O’Malley, L.: Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. Int. J. Soc. Res. Methodol. 8 (1), 19–32 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616

Stemler, S.: An overview of content analysis. Pract. Asses. Res. Eval. 7 (17), 1–9 (2001). https://doi.org/10.7275/z6fm-2e34

European Commission. European Commission's ethics guidelines for trustworthy AI. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/ethics-guidelines-trustworthy-ai (2021). Accessed 8 July 2023

Awad, E., Dsouza, S., Kim, R., Schulz, J., Henrich, J., Shariff, A., et al.: The moral machine experiment. Nature 563 (7729), 59–64 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0637-6

Liyanage, H., Liaw, S.T., Jonnagaddala, J., Schreiber, R., Kuziemsky, C., Terry, A.L., de Lusignan, S.: Artificial intelligence in primary health care: perceptions, issues, and challenges. Yearb. Med. Inform. 28 (1), 41–46 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1677901

Jenkins, S., Draper, H.: Care, monitoring, and companionship: views on care robots from older people and their carers. Int. J. Soc. Robot. 7 (5), 673–683 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-015-0322-y

Tzouganatou, A.: Openness and privacy in born-digital archives: reflecting the role of AI development. AI Soc. 37 (3), 991–999 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-021-01361-3

Liljamo, T., Liimatainen, H., Pollanen, M.: Attitudes and concerns on automated vehicles. Transp. Res. Part F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 59 , 24–44 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2018.08.010

Couture, V., Roy, M.C., Dez, E., Laperle, S., Belisle-Pipon, J.C.: Ethical implications of artificial intelligence in population health and the public’s role in its governance: perspectives from a citizen and expert panel. J. Med. Internet Res. 25 , e44357 (2023). https://doi.org/10.2196/44357

McCradden, M.D., Sarker, T., Paprica, P.A.: Conditionally positive: a qualitative study of public perceptions about using health data for artificial intelligence research. BMJ Open 10 (10), e039798 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039798

Blease, C., Kharko, A., Annoni, M., Gaab, J., Locher, C.: Machine learning in clinical psychology and psychotherapy education: a mixed methods pilot survey of postgraduate students at a Swiss University. Front. Public Health 9 (623088), 1–8 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.623088

Kieslich, K., Keller, B., Starke, C.: Artificial intelligence ethics by design. Evaluating public perception on the importance of ethical design principles of artificial intelligence. Big Data Soc. 9 (1), 1–15 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1177/20539517221092956

Willems, J., Schmidthuber, L., Vogel, D., Ebinger, F., Vanderelst, D.: Ethics of robotized public services: the role of robot design and its actions. Gov. Inf. Q. 39 (101683), 1–11 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/J.Giq.2022.101683

Tlili, A., Shehata, B., Adarkwah, M.A., Bozkurt, A., Hickey, D.T., Huang, R.H., Agyemang, B.: What if the devil is my guardian angel: ChatGPT as a case study of using chatbots in education. Smart Learn Environ. 10 (15), 1–24 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/S40561-023-00237-X

Ehret, S.: Public preferences for governing AI technology: comparative evidence. J. Eur. Public Policy 29 (11), 1779–1798 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1080/13501763.2022.2094988

Esmaeilzadeh, P.: Use of AI-based tools for healthcare purposes: a survey study from consumers’ perspectives. BMC Med. Inform. Decis. Mak. 20 (170), 1–19 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-020-01191-1

Laïï, M.C., Brian, M., Mamzer, M.F.: Perceptions of artificial intelligence in healthcare: findings from a qualitative survey study among actors in France. J. Transl. Med. 18 (14), 1–13 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/S12967-019-02204-Y

Valles-Peris, N., Barat-Auleda, O., Domenech, M.: Robots in healthcare? What patients say. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 18 (9933), 1–18 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189933

Hallowell, N., Badger, S., Sauerbrei, A., Nellaker, C., Kerasidou, A.: “I don’t think people are ready to trust these algorithms at face value”: trust and the use of machine learning algorithms in the diagnosis of rare disease. BMC Med. Ethics 23 (112), 1–14 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-022-00842-4

Criado, J.I., de Zarate-Alcarazo, L.O.: Technological frames, CIOs, and artificial intelligence in public administration: a socio-cognitive exploratory study in spanish local governments. Gov. Inf. Q. 39 (3), 1–13 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/J.Giq.2022.101688

Isbanner, S., O’Shaughnessy, P.: The adoption of artificial intelligence in health care and social services in Australia: findings from a methodologically innovative national survey of values and attitudes (the AVA-AI Study). J. Med. Internet Res. 24 (8), e37611 (2022). https://doi.org/10.2196/37611

Kuberkar, S., Singhal, T.K., Singh, S.: Fate of AI for smart city services in India: a qualitative study. Int. J. Electron. Gov. Res. 18 (2), 1–21 (2022). https://doi.org/10.4018/Ijegr.298216

Kallioinen, N., Pershina, M., Zeiser, J., Nezami, F., Pipa, G., Stephan, A., Konig, P.: Moral judgements on the actions of self-driving cars and human drivers in dilemma situations from different perspectives. Front. Psychol. 10 (2415), 1–15 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02415

Vrščaj, D., Nyholm, S., Verbong, G.P.J.: Is tomorrow’s car appealing today? Ethical issues and user attitudes beyond automation. AI Soc. 35 (4), 1033–1046 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-020-00941-z

Bastian, M., Helberger, N., Makhortykh, M.: Safeguarding the journalistic DNA: attitudes towards the role of professional values in algorithmic news recommender designs. Digit. Journal. 9 (6), 835–863 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2021.1912622

Kaur, K., Rampersad, G.: Trust in driverless cars: investigating key factors influencing the adoption of driverless cars. J. Eng. Technol. Manag. 48 , 87–96 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jengtecman.2018.04.006

Willems, J., Schmid, M.J., Vanderelst, D., Vogel, D., Ebinger, F.: AI-driven public services and the privacy paradox: do citizens really care about their privacy? Public Manag. Rev. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2022.2063934

Duke, S.A.: Deny, dismiss and downplay: developers’ attitudes towards risk and their role in risk creation in the field of healthcare-AI. Ethics Inf. Technol. 24 (1), 1–15 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-022-09627-0

Cresswell, K., Cunningham-Burley, S., Sheikh, A.: Health care robotics: qualitative exploration of key challenges and future directions. J. Med. Internet Res. 20 (7), e10410 (2018). https://doi.org/10.2196/10410

Amann, J., Vayena, E., Ormond, K.E., Frey, D., Madai, V.I., Blasimme, A.: Expectations and attitudes towards medical artificial intelligence: a qualitative study in the field of stroke. PLoS One 18 (1), e0279088 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279088

Aquino, Y.S.J., Rogers, W.A., Braunack-Mayer, A., Frazer, H., Win, K.T., Houssami, N., et al.: Utopia versus dystopia: professional perspectives on the impact of healthcare artificial intelligence on clinical roles and skills. Int. J. Med. Inform. 169 (104903), 1–10 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2022.104903

Sartori, L., Bocca, G.: Minding the gap(s): public perceptions of AI and socio-technical imaginaries. AI Soc. 38 (2), 443–458 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-022-01422-1

Chen, Y.-N.K., Wen, C.-H.R.: Impacts of attitudes toward government and corporations on public trust in artificial intelligence. Commun. Stud. 72 (1), 115–131 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2020.1807380

Aitken, M., Ng, M., Horsfall, D., Coopamootoo, K.P.L., van Moorsel, A., Elliott, K.: In pursuit of socially ly-minded data-intensive innovation in banking: a focus group study of public expectations of digital innovation in banking. Technol. Soc. 66 (101666), 1–10 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101666

Choung, H., David, P., Ross, A.: Trust and ethics in AI. AI Soc. 38 (2), 733–745 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-022-01473-4

Hartwig, T., Ikkatai, Y., Takanashi, N., Yokoyama, H.M.: Artificial intelligence ELSI score for science and technology: a comparison between Japan and the US. AI Soc. 38 (4), 1609–1626 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-021-01323-9

Ploug, T., Sundby, A., Moeslund, T.B., Holm, S.: Population preferences for performance and explainability of artificial intelligence in health care: choice-based conjoint survey. J. Med. Internet Res. 23 (12), e26611 (2021). https://doi.org/10.2196/26611

Zheng, B., Wu, M.N., Zhu, S.J., Zhou, H.X., Hao, X.L., Fei, F.Q., et al.: Attitudes of medical workers in China toward artificial intelligence in ophthalmology: a comparative survey. BMC Health Serv. Res. 21 (1067), 1–13 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/S12913-021-07044-5

Ma, J., Tojib, D., Tsarenko, Y.: Sex robots: are we ready for them? An exploration of the psychological mechanisms underlying people’s receptiveness of sex robots. J. Bus. Ethics 178 (4), 1091–1107 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-022-05059-4

Rhim, J., Lee, G.B., Lee, J.H.: Human moral reasoning types in autonomous vehicle moral dilemma: a cross-cultural comparison of Korea and Canada. Comput. Hum. Behav. 102 , 39–56 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.08.010

Dempsey, R.P., Brunet, J.R., Dubljevic, V.: Exploring and understanding law enforcement’s relationship with technology: a qualitative interview study of police officers in North Carolina. Appl. Sci-Basel 13 (6), 1–17 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/App13063887

Lee, C.H., Gobir, N., Gurn, A., Soep, E.: In the black mirror: youth investigations into artificial intelligence. ACM Trans. Comput. Educ. 22 (3), 1–25 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1145/3484495

Kong, S.C., Cheung, W.M.Y., Zhang, G.: Evaluating an artificial intelligence literacy programme for developing university students? Conceptual understanding, literacy, empowerment and ethical awareness. Educ. Technol. Soc. 26 (1), 16–30 (2023). https://doi.org/10.30191/Ets.202301_26(1).0002

Street, J., Barrie, H., Eliott, J., Carolan, L., McCorry, F., Cebulla, A., et al.: Older adults’ perspectives of smart technologies to support aging at home: insights from five world cafe forums. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 19 (7817), 1–22 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/Ijerph19137817

Ikkatai, Y., Hartwig, T., Takanashi, N., Yokoyama, H.M.: Octagon measurement: public attitudes toward AI ethics. Int J Hum-Comput Int. 38 (17), 1589–1606 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2021.2009669

Wang, S., Bolling, K., Mao, W., Reichstadt, J., Jeste, D., Kim, H.C., Nebeker, C.: Technology to support aging in place: older adults’ perspectives. Healthcare (Basel) 7 (60), 1–18 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare7020060

Zhang, H., Lee, I., Ali, S., DiPaola, D., Cheng, Y.H., Breazeal, C.: Integrating ethics and career futures with technical learning to promote AI literacy for middle school students: an exploratory study. Int. J. Artif. Intell. Educ. 33 , 290–324 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-022-00293-3

Henriksen, A., Blond, L.: Executive-centered AI? Designing predictive systems for the public sector. Soc. Stud. Sci. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1177/03063127231163756

Nichol, A.A., Halley, M.C., Federico, C.A., Cho, M.K., Sankar, P.L.: Not in my AI: moral engagement and disengagement in health care AI development. Pac. Symp. Biocomput. 28 , 496–506 (2023)

Aquino, Y.S.J., Carter, S.M., Houssami, N., Braunack-Mayer, A., Win, K.T., Degeling, C., et al.: Practical, epistemic and normative implications of algorithmic bias in healthcare artificial intelligence: a qualitative study of multidisciplinary expert perspectives. J. Med. Ethics (2023). https://doi.org/10.1136/jme-2022-108850

Nichol, A.A., Bendavid, E., Mutenherwa, F., Patel, C., Cho, M.K.: Diverse experts’ perspectives on ethical issues of using machine learning to predict HIV/AIDS risk in sub-Saharan Africa: a modified Delphi study. BMJ Open 11 (7), e052287 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052287

Awad, E., Levine, S., Kleiman-Weiner, M., Dsouza, S., Tenenbaum, J.B., Shariff, A., et al.: Drivers are blamed more than their automated cars when both make mistakes. Nat. Hum. Behav. 4 (2), 134–143 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0762-8

Blease, C., Kaptchuk, T.J., Bernstein, M.H., Mandl, K.D., Halamka, J.D., DesRoches, C.M.: Artificial intelligence and the future of primary care: exploratory qualitative study of UK general practitioners’ views. J. Med. Internet Res. 21 (3), e12802 (2019). https://doi.org/10.2196/12802

Blease, C., Locher, C., Leon-Carlyle, M., Doraiswamy, M.: Artificial intelligence and the future of psychiatry: qualitative findings from a global physician survey. Digit. Health 6 , 1–18 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1177/2055207620968355

De Graaf, M.M.A., Hindriks, F.A., Hindriks, K.V.: Who wants to grant robots rights? Front Robot AI 8 , 781985 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2021.781985

Guerouaou, N., Vaiva, G., Aucouturier, J.-J.: The shallow of your smile: the ethics of expressive vocal deep-fakes. Philos. Trans. R Soc. B Biol. Sci. 377 (1841), 1–11 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0083

McCradden, M.D., Baba, A., Saha, A., Ahmad, S., Boparai, K., Fadaiefard, P., Cusimano, M.D.: Ethical concerns around use of artificial intelligence in health care research from the perspective of patients with meningioma, caregivers and health care providers: a qualitative study. CMAJ Open 8 (1), E90–E95 (2020). https://doi.org/10.9778/cmajo.20190151

Rogers, W.A., Draper, H., Carter, S.M.: Evaluation of artificial intelligence clinical applications: Detailed case analyses show value of healthcare ethics approach in identifying patient care issues. Bioethics 36 (4), 624–633 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.12885

Tosoni, S., Voruganti, I., Lajkosz, K., Habal, F., Murphy, P., Wong, R.K.S., et al.: The use of personal health information outside the circle of care: consent preferences of patients from an academic health care institution. BMC Med. Ethics 22 (29), 1–14 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/S12910-021-00598-3

Allahabadi, H., Amann, J., Balot, I., Beretta, A., Binkley, C., Bozenhard, J., et al.: Assessing trustworthy AI in times of COVID-19: deep learning for predicting a multiregional score conveying the degree of lung compromise in COVID-19 patients. IEEE Trans. Technol. Soc. 3 (4), 272–289 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1109/TTS.2022.3195114

Gray, K., Slavotinek, J., Dimaguila, G.L., Choo, D.: Artificial intelligence education for the health workforce: expert survey of approaches and needs. JMIR Med. Educ. 8 (2), e35223 (2022). https://doi.org/10.2196/35223

Alfrink, K., Keller, I., Doorn, N., Kortuem, G.: Tensions in transparent urban AI: designing a smart electric vehicle charge point. AI Soc. 38 (3), 1049–1065 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-022-01436-9

Bourla, A., Ferreri, F., Ogorzelec, L., Peretti, C.S., Guinchard, C., Mouchabac, S.: Psychiatrists’ attitudes toward disruptive new technologies: mixed-methods study. JMIR Ment. Health 5 (4), e10240 (2018). https://doi.org/10.2196/10240

Kopecky, R., Kosova, M.J., Novotny, D.D., Flegr, J., Cerny, D.: How virtue signalling makes us better: moral preferences with respect to autonomous vehicle type choices. AI Soc. 38 , 937–946 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-022-01461-8

Lam, K., Abramoff, M.D., Balibrea, J.M., Bishop, S.M., Brady, R.R., Callcut, R.A., et al.: A Delphi consensus statement for digital surgery. NPJ Digit. Med. 5 (100), 1–9 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-022-00641-6

Karaca, O., Çalışkan, S.A., Demir, K.: Medical artificial intelligence readiness scale for medical students (MAIRS-MS) – development, validity and reliability study. BMC Med. Educ. 21 (112), 1–9 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02546-6

Papyshev, G., Yarime, M.: The limitation of ethics-based approaches to regulating artificial intelligence: regulatory gifting in the context of Russia. AI Soc. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-022-01611-y

Balaram, B., Greenham, T., Leonard, J.: Artificial intelligence: real public engagement. RSA, London. https://www.thersa.org/globalassets/pdfs/reports/rsa_artificial-intelligence---real-public-engagement.pdf (2018). Accessed 28 June 2023

Hagendorff, T.: A virtue-based framework to support putting AI ethics into practice. Philos Technol. 35 (55), 1–24 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-022-00553-z

Felt, U., Wynne, B., Callon, M., Gonçalves, M. E., Jasanoff, S., Jepsen, M., et al.: Taking european knowledge society seriously. Eur Comm, Brussels, 1–89 (2007). https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/5d0e77c7-2948-4ef5-aec7-bd18efe3c442/language-en

Michael, M.: Publics performing publics: of PiGs, PiPs and politics. Public Underst. Sci. 18 (5), 617–631 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625080985

Hu, L.: Tech ethics: speaking ethics to power, or power speaking ethics? J. Soc. Comput. 2 (3), 238–248 (2021). https://doi.org/10.23919/JSC.2021.0033

Strasser, B., Baudry, J., Mahr, D., Sanchez, G., Tancoigne, E.: “Citizen science”? Rethinking science and public participation. Sci. Technol. Stud. 32 (2), 52–76 (2019). https://doi.org/10.23987/sts.60425

De Saille, S.: Innovating innovation policy: the emergence of ‘Responsible Research and Innovation.’ J. Responsible Innov. 2 (2), 152–168 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1080/23299460.2015.1045280

Schwarz-Plaschg, C.: Nanotechnology is like… The rhetorical roles of analogies in public engagement. Public Underst. Sci. 27 (2), 153–167 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662516655686

Taylor, R.R., O’Dell, B., Murphy, J.W.: Human-centric AI: philosophical and community-centric considerations. AI Soc. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01694-1

van Dijk, N., Tanas, A., Rommetveit, K., Raab, C.: Right engineering? The redesign of privacy and personal data protection. Int. Rev. Law Comput. Technol. 32 (2–3), 230–256 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1080/13600869.2018.1457002

Aradau, C., Blanke, T.: Algorithmic reason. The new government of self and others. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2022)

Book   Google Scholar  

McGoey, L.: The unknowers. How strategic ignorance rules the word. Zed, London (2019)

Ananny, M., Crawford, K.: Seeing without knowing: limitations of the transparency ideal and its application to algorithmic accountability. New Media Soc. 20 (3), 973–989 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444816676645

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Rafaela Granja (CECS, University of Minho) for her insightful support in an early stage of preparation of this manuscript, and to the AIDA research netwrok for the inspiring debates.

Open access funding provided by FCT|FCCN (b-on). Helena Machado and Susana Silva did not receive funding to assist in the preparation of this work. Laura Neiva received funding from FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under a PhD Research Studentships (ref.2020.04764.BD), and under the project UIDB/00736/2020 (base funding) and UIDP/00736/2020 (programmatic funding).

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Department of Sociology, Institute for Social Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

Helena Machado

Department of Sociology and Centre for Research in Anthropology (CRIA), Institute for Social Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

Susana Silva

Institute for Social Sciences, Communication and Society Research Centre (CECS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

Laura Neiva

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by HM, SS, and LN. The first draft of the manuscript was written by HM and SS. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Helena Machado .

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest.

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Additional information

Publisher's note.

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 20 KB)

Rights and permissions.

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ .

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Machado, H., Silva, S. & Neiva, L. Publics’ views on ethical challenges of artificial intelligence: a scoping review. AI Ethics (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-023-00387-1

Download citation

Received : 08 October 2023

Accepted : 16 November 2023

Published : 19 December 2023

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-023-00387-1

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Artificial intelligence
• Public involvement
• Publics’ views
• Responsible research
• Find a journal
• Publish with us
• Track your research

• Follow us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Watch us on Youtube
• Latest Explore all the latest news and information on Physics World
• Research updates Keep track of the most exciting research breakthroughs and technology innovations
• News Stay informed about the latest developments that affect scientists in all parts of the world
• Features Take a deeper look at the emerging trends and key issues within the global scientific community
• Opinion and reviews Find out whether you agree with our expert commentators
• Interviews Discover the views of leading figures in the scientific community
• Analysis Discover the stories behind the headlines
• Blog Enjoy a more personal take on the key events in and around science
• Physics World Live
• Impact Explore the value of scientific research for industry, the economy and society
• Events Plan the meetings and conferences you want to attend with our comprehensive events calendar
• Innovation showcases A round-up of the latest innovation from our corporate partners
• Collections Explore special collections that bring together our best content on trending topics
• Artificial intelligence Explore the ways in which today’s world relies on AI, and ponder how this technology might shape the world of tomorrow
• #BlackInPhysics Celebrating Black physicists and revealing a more complete picture of what a physicist looks like
• Nanotechnology in action The challenges and opportunities of turning advances in nanotechnology into commercial products
• The Nobel Prize for Physics Explore the work of recent Nobel laureates, find out what happens behind the scenes, and discover some who were overlooked for the prize
• Revolutions in computing Find out how scientists are exploiting digital technologies to understand online behaviour and drive research progress
• The science and business of space Explore the latest trends and opportunities associated with designing, building, launching and exploiting space-based technologies
• Supercool physics Experiments that probe the exotic behaviour of matter at ultralow temperatures depend on the latest cryogenics technology
• Women in physics Celebrating women in physics and their contributions to the field
• Audio and video Explore the sights and sounds of the scientific world
• Podcasts Our regular conversations with inspiring figures from the scientific community
• Video Watch our specially filmed videos to get a different slant on the latest science
• Webinars Tune into online presentations that allow expert speakers to explain novel tools and applications
• IOP Publishing
• Enter e-mail address
• Show Enter password
• Remember me Forgot your password?
• Access more than 20 years of online content
• Manage which e-mail newsletters you want to receive
• Read about the big breakthroughs and innovations across 13 scientific topics
• Explore the key issues and trends within the global scientific community
• Choose which e-mail newsletters you want to receive

Reset your password

Please enter the e-mail address you used to register to reset your password

Registration complete

Thank you for registering with Physics World If you'd like to change your details at any time, please visit My account

Get set for World Quantum Day 2024

Matin Durrani explains how you can join in the celebrations for the third World Quantum Day, which takes place on Sunday 14 April 2024

Sunday 14 April 2024 will be the third World Quantum Day . An annual celebration “promoting public awareness and understanding of quantum science and technology around the world”, it’s a bottom-up initiative from scientists in more than 65 nations from Algeria to Zambia. The day of 14 April has been chosen because “4.14” are the first three digits of Planck’s constant when rounded up: 4.14 × 10 –15 eVs.

The pedant in me is irked a bit by the date. Unless you live in the US, 14 April is surely 14.4 not 4.14. Plus, I’ve always known Planck’s constant as 6.63 × 10 –34 Js not 4.14 × 10 –15 eVs. Putting that aside, World Quantum Day is a brilliant initiative. These are great times for quantum physics, with burgeoning applications of “quantum 2.0” technology such as quantum computing, sensing and cryptography.

Can you solve this quantum cryptic word search?

As James McKenzie describes in his recent feature article , overall private investment in quantum tech stood at $1.2bn in 2023 according to the State of Quantum 2024 report. Sure, that figure has dropped sharply since 2022, but up to $50bn in public cash has already been ploughed into quantum science. In fact, 33 countries around the world have government initiatives in quantum technology, including 20 with full-scale national strategies.

One person with an overview of the quantum-technology landscape is Mauro Paternostro from Queens’ University Belfast, editor-in-chief of the IOP Publishing journal Quantum Science and Technology . In a wide-ranging interview to be published next week, he argues that the most advanced quantum technology is actually quantum sensing.

In fact, as Steve Brierley – chief executive of Riverlane – points out in his recent opinion article , quantum computers will only ever be properly useful once we can properly deal with error correction.

But quantum tech holds great promise, including in Africa, where “steady progress” is being made, according to Farai Mazhandu and Mhlambululi Mafu . Output from African researchers in quantum-related fields is relatively small, but with a young, digitally native population and a burgeoning quantum workforce, they believe the continent is “poised to take advantage of the coming ‘second quantum revolution’”.

If all this talk of technology is too much, check out the feature by Philip Ball , who looks at the work of “quantum plumbers”. Meanwhile, Robert P Crease, Jennifer Carter and Gino Elia examine “Wigner’s friend” – a quantum thought experiment that has stumped physicists and philosophers for more than 60 years. And why not try our quantum-physics cryptic word search and see if you can reveal the hidden message.

Finally, do check out the Physics World quantum channel as well as a special collection of quantum-themed research articles, focus issues and ebooks from IOP Publishing, which publishes Physics World .

And don’t forget to sign up for the first Physics World Live event – an online panel debate in partnership with Reports on Progress in Physics where you can hear from leading researchers, including Nicole Metje from the University of Birmingham in the UK, discuss the latest on quantum sensors.

Want to read more?

• E-mail Address

Download your publishing guide

A step-by-step guide unlocking your research’s scientific impact

• Stars and solar physics

Dispatches from the Great North American eclipse of 2024

Iop publishing and physics world celebrate world quantum day, discover more from physics world.

Mauro Paternostro: a vision of the quantum landscape

• Quantum computing

Europe plans to build 100-qubit quantum computer by 2026

Related jobs

Senior quantum scientist, university professorship (w3) "quantum materials", principle physicist, related events.

• Quantum | Conference IQT The Hague 22—24 April 2024 | The Hague, Netherlands
• Quantum | Conference Quantum.Tech USA 24—26 April 2024 | Washington DC, US
• Quantum | Conference IQT Vancouver-Pacific Rim 4—6 June 2024 | Vancouver, Canada