Who We Are

The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities is a regionally focused institute promoting sustainable human flourishing through education, research, and leadership. The institute builds on over a decade of proven success and national renown of the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability and connects campus and community around developing sustainable communities.

Residing in a net-zero, LEED-certified, sustainable showcase home, next to an organic farm in the heart of Furman’s campus, the Shi Institute integrates academics, action, and community partnership. We equip students to lead, do collaborative research that addresses pressing challenges, and work alongside local partners to build a more sustainable campus and resilient communities in the southeast.

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Institute News

Advancing Responsible Growth, Resilience and Sustainability Across South Carolina Communities: A Case Study from the City of Greenwood

What Responsible Growth, Resilience and Sustainability Mean for South Carolina Communities South Carolina is now the fastest-growing state in the nation. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2025 estimates show the state added nearly 80,000 residents in...

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Welcome Shi Fellows 2026-2027!

We are thrilled to welcome the Shi Institute's 2026-27 class of Student Fellows. This year's cohort comes from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Communications and their projects are just as diverse. Our Eco-Rep Fellows are growing...

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Good Sustainability News Round-Up, September 2026

Sustainability work can be challenging, occasionally full of set backs and "bad news." One of our Eco Rep Fellows, Emmett Neal, has put together a round of up good news, "because not everything is bad...

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