College of Engineering, Author at Social Sciences Newsblog

Halvorsen on Bioenergy

Published August 28, 2013

Bioenergy Must Be Sustainable

The National Science Foundation is funding a Research Coordination Network (RCN) to help researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and others investigate the effects of mass biofuel production on human communities and natural systems. The Sustainable Futures Institute (SFI) manages the RCN program at Michigan Tech.

Partnerships for Research and Education (PIRE) is another NSF-funded project that grew out of RCN. PIRE,’s lead researcher is Kathleen Halvorsen, a professor of natural resource policy at Michigan Tech. The PIRE team is studying impacts from bioenergy production in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the U.S. and Argentina.

“We’re working to fill the research gaps in bioenergy production so we can maximize the benefits and minimize the negative impacts,” Halvorsen explains. “Another thing we want to do is improve policy in these countries to support the research and development of bioenergy.”

Reminder of Winning Canvas Courses

Published August 22, 2013

By College of Engineering

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is providing short video course tours made by faculty with winning courses in the first Creative Canvas Course Contest (C-4). Richelle Winkler had a winning Canvas course for SS3315. The video tours are recommended by the CTL as a Tip of the Week.

NSF Funding for Emma Norman’s Global Transport of Pollutant Impact Study

Published August 14, 2013

By College of Engineering

PI Judith Perlinger (CEE/CWS) and Co-PIs Shiliang Wu (GMES/CWS) and Emma Norman (SS/CWS) have been awarded a $1,450,000 research grant from the National Science Foundation for “CNH: Managing Impacts of Global Transport of Atmosphere-Surface Exchangeable Pollutants in the Context of Global Change.”

From Tech Today.

Torch Lake History Project Funding for MacLennan

Published August 11, 2013

By College of Engineering

Carol MacLennan (SS) has received $6,200 from the Keweenaw National Historical Park for a 20 month research project “Oral History of Torch Lake Copper Reclamation, 1940-1970.”

From Tech Today.

Lankton to Present for Hancock Anniversary

Published July 26, 2013

By College of Engineering

Celebrating 150 years
Events marking Hancock’s sesquicentennial year continue

The celebration for the 150th anniversary of Hancock has included talks and presentations on subjects such migration, influential people and significant events, and the next four months will include a continuation of those concepts.

On Oct. 8, Anderson said local historian Larry Lankton will give a talk at the FAHC (Finlandia’s Finnish American Heritage Center) on Hancock’s contribution to the development of the Portage Lake region.

“We had a lot of industry in the city, too,” he said.

There were saw mills and other industrial businesses, many of which supported the copper mines.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Kurt Hauglie.

Digging for Copper Predates Settlers

Published July 24, 2013

By College of Engineering

Digging for copper predates European settlers in the Keweenaw by 7,000 years

Susan Martin, retired professor from the Michigan Technological University Department of Social Science, has written a book about the use of copper by ancient people in the Lake Superior region.

She said the title of the book, “Wonderful Power,” was a term used by a 19th century Ojibwa man to describe copper.

Jo Urion, Keweenaw National Historical Park historian, said park officials work with tribal members whenever work is planned on properties that are eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including archeological sites.

Jessica Koski, mining technical assistant for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, said copper has traditionally been an important part of Ojibway/Anishinaabe people of the Keweenaw, and it still is.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Kurt Hauglie.

Scarlett Receives Funding for Cliff Mine Public Archaeology

Published July 23, 2013

By College of Engineering

Timothy Scarlett (SS) has received $10,000 from the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission for a 20-month long research project “2013 Public Archaeology at the Cliff Mine.”

From Tech Today.

Solomon Reviews Crude Reality

Published July 23, 2013

By College of Engineering

Professor Barry Solomon (SS) published a review of the book, “Crude Reality: Petroleum in World History” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2012) in e-International Relations, on July 18.

From Tech Today.

Pat Martin Delivers Keynote in Ironbridge

Published July 17, 2013

By College of Engineering

Patrick Martin (SS) delivered one of the keynote addresses at a recent conference in Ironbridge, Shropshire, United Kingdom. Called “Rust, Regeneration and Romance“, this interdisciplinary conference was held in the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, home of the world’s first cast iron bridge and site of the first successful smelting of iron using coke. Martin’s presentation was entitled “American Iron and Steel: Evolving Cultural Landscapes.”

From Tech Today.

Satellite Images for Land Cover Change

Published July 17, 2013

By College of Engineering

PhD student Riccardo Tortini (GMES) has won free satellite imagery to aid in research. The firm DMCii provided the prize and conducted the contest, which drew entries from all over the world.

Over the summer, Tortini has been working with Associate Professor Audrey Mayer (SS) to monitor land cover change from timber to non-timber use in Michigan and calculate the rate and intensity of forest harvesting in the area.

Tortini’s advisor is Associate Professor Simon Carn (GMES).

From Tech Today.

Author: College of Engineering