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In speeches and debates, contemporary politicians often relate their values back to the principles of America’s founding fathers. However, how well they actually represent those ideals is disputable. In her Emerson Foundation project, “What Would Jefferson Do? The Jeffersonian Ideal and Modern Day Environmental Policy,” Claire Zurlo ’14 is examining how Thomas Jefferson’s political philosophy relates to today’s environmentalism.

Many Hamilton students consider themselves environmentally conscious and aware of the consequences of putting profits ahead of environmental conservation. Oil extraction, whether it is from shale deposits, sea floors or sands, can threaten natural habitats and introduce environmental pollutants. This summer, Nicholas Anastasi ‘15 is researching government transparency and rhetoric surrounding oil sand development in Alberta, Canada.

The national media highlighted Hamilton College in multiple ways throughout 2012 by focusing on faculty research and expertise, featuring opinion pieces, and announcing new endeavors and special student projects. From The Today Show to NPR’s All Things Considered to The Chronicle of Higher Education, the college was visible in the media across the country.

Associate Professor of Government Peter Cannavò published an op-ed, “The Real Frankenstorm,” on The Huffington Post (Oct. 26, 2012). In the piece Cannavò questions why the subject of climate change has not been addressed in this year’s presidential race.

Associate Professor of Government Peter Cannavò published "Individualism or Independence?," on Huffington Post on Sept. 10. His piece addressed the Republican Party's embrace of both economic individualism and personal independence as fundamental American values and suggested that the two ideals may be incompatible. Cannavò also argued that the American Founders supported personal independence but were not necessarily economic individualists.

Melissa Mann ’13 hopes to help alleviate the growing problem of brownfields by conducting research with an organization that utilizes federal and state grants to clean up and redevelop these vacant plots of land. She received a Levitt Summer Research Fellowship to work with the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corps. to complete the first of the Brownfield Opportunity Areas program three grant application steps.

After our trash leaves our hands, we in the U.S. like to pretend it no longer exists. But to people in Mokattam, an informal settlement just outside Cairo, Egypt, sorting and recycling garbage is essential to their livelihood. Working with Assistant Professor of Government Peter Cannavo, Caitlin O’Dowd ’12 was awarded an Emerson grant to investigate the relationship between the waste system and social justice in Mokattam.

Five members of the Hamilton faculty were recognized for their research and creative successes through the Dean’s Scholarly Achievement Awards at Class & Charter Day on Friday, May 7. The Awards were established in three categories by Dean of Faculty Joe Urgo in 2008.

Assistant Professor of Government Peter Cannavo contributed an op-ed, "Ignorance a Weapon in Climate Debate," to the Syracuse Post-Standard (6/21/09). Cannavo writes "Conservatives have long professed skepticism about the idea of anthropogenic climate change, despite decades of research and reams of studies and warnings from the world's leading climatologists. Such skepticism becomes even less credible when those articulating it lack even a grade-school understanding of the science."

Assistant Professor of Government Peter Cannavo co-authored an opinion piece titled "Some ideas for President Obama's call to sacrifice" which appeared in The Seattle Times during the week of Jan. 23. Written with University of Washington Associate Professor of Political Science Karen Litfin, the op-ed asks "Can the 80 percent of humanity living in developing countries ever hope to live the American dream as we have known it?"