Sustainability is a broad field, which includes environmental, economic and social sustainability. These include the ability to maintain renewable and non-renewable natural resources (natural capital) within some bounds, to maintain economic prosperity, and to maintain social and cultural institutions and practices. Faculty are actively involved in all these areas, including adaptation to environmental change.
Dr. Barnes received her Ph.D. in sustainable development from Columbia University in 2010 and held a postdoctoral fellowship with the Yale Climate & Energy Institute and Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies from 2011 to 2013. She joined the University of South Carolina in 2013 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography with a joint appointment in the School of the Earth, Ocean & Environment.
Our interdisciplinary hydrology lab integrates mechanistic and machine learning models with field observations, remote sensing, and community expertise to address pressing challenges in surface water systems. We are committed to co-produced and convergent research, ensuring that our science is rigorous, relevant, and responsive to community needs. By linking advanced modeling with real-world context, we generate actionable knowledge to support sustainable water management, strengthen climate resilience, and protect freshwater ecosystems.
Dr. Fuente's research is situated at the intersection of infrastructure planning, environmental policy, and international development and focuses specifically on the provision of water and sanitaiton services in low- and middle-income countries. Trained as an environmental economist, urban planner, and environmental scientist, Dr. Fuente has conducted extensive fieldwork in East Africa (Kenya), the Middle East (Egypt), and South Asia (India). His research has been supported by the World Bank, USAID, the SIDA-funded Environment for Development Initiative, and the Global Development Network.
Dr. Harrison’s research examines the relationship between energy and society, with a particular focus on political economy and power relations. Portions of his work have been published in the Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Geoforum, and Local Environment. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, Center for Study of the American South, and the University of North Carolina.