KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 10, 2021

Kennesaw State University’s Department of Architecture on March 15-19 will host its fourth annual EQUINOX program, a week-long event fostering multidisciplinary partnership and scholarship on sustainability among the higher education community. 

Established in 2017 to advocate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), EQUINOX is dedicated to the social, economic and ecological impacts of sustainability within the local-global framework. Guest speakers, workshops and exhibits involve local, national and international participants and presenters, including faculty from Kennesaw State, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University and representatives from the UN. This year, events will focus on the intersections of "good health and well-being," in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and "climate action," two of the 17 goals of the initiative.

“For four years now, the multi-sponsored and multidisciplinary EQUINOX has shown the critical role that higher education can play in broadening awareness and strengthening community-engaged scholarship by bringing together students, scholars, practitioners, policymakers and community partners to share knowledge and actions for the SDGs implementation,” said Pegah Zamani, associate professor of architecture and EQUINOX founder. “Throughout the past years, EQUINOX could not have accomplished its shared goals without the generous support of our multidisciplinary collaborators such as KSU’s Division of Global Affairs and the Office of Research."

The EQUINOX Symposium was designated as one of the focused projects of the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE) Greater Atlanta, Higher Ed Learning Community (HELC), which aims to facilitate faculty and student engagement in a collective learning environment. The list of sponsors and partners includes the Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art, CARE Services, Department of Career Planning and Development, Perkins & Will, Siemens Industry, Inc., as well as student organizations like the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students, the Alpha Rho Chi fraternity, and the American Institute of Architecture Students. 

A variety of multidisciplinary events across both KSU campuses will focus on the development goals. Events throughout the week include:

EQUINOX Symposium: United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Monday, March 15, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

A virtual symposium focusing on the intersections of good health and well-being and climate action, two of the 17 sustainable development goals. The symposium is open to the public, and registration is free but required.

Virtual Zuckerman Museum of Art Program

Tuesday, March 16, Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Participants will attend a virtual lecture titled “Bearing Witness,” hosted by Diane Burko, a research-based artist whose work combines art, science, the environment and climate action, and JD Talasek, director of the Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences.

KSU Mini-Pavilion Virtual Tour

Wednesday, March 17, 3 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.

The 575-square-foot Mini-Pavilion represents KSU at the Cobb County Safety Village and serves as a research center for the community on safety and building performance. Architecture professor Michael Carroll, the designer of the Pavilion, will host the virtual tour via Teams.

Equity and the Environment: A student perspective

Thursday, March 18, 9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Student leaders in the moderated panel will discuss various student-driven equity initiatives that have been proposed or are underway at KSU. Topics will include creating equitable greenspaces and sustainable fashion, among other things.

For more information about the symposium, speakers and the full schedule of events, click here.

– Josh Milton

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.