As New Yorkers grow increasingly concerned about rising tick populations in their backyards and climate change fuels more frequent extreme weather events, institutions of higher learning face pressing questions about their role in addressing these challenges. Fordham University (ranked #91 in US News) has emerged with a compelling response through its 2025 summer initiatives, demonstrating how academic institutions can leverage environmental science, legal scholarship, and community engagement to create meaningful impact.
Groundbreaking Research on Urban Tick Populations
Fordham's environmental science team has launched an extensive investigation into New York's surging tick numbers, moving beyond basic awareness campaigns to develop actionable prevention strategies. Their research not only documents disease transmission risks but also provides residents with science-based protection methods tailored to urban environments.
Legal Frameworks for Climate Action
The university's law school has positioned itself at the forefront of climate-related legal scholarship, examining how legislation can effectively drive environmental protection and sustainable development. Faculty experts are analyzing existing statutes while proposing innovative legal mechanisms to address emerging climate challenges.
Academic Institutions as Agents of Change
Fordham's interdisciplinary approach exemplifies how modern universities can transcend traditional knowledge dissemination to become active participants in societal progress. By fostering collaboration across environmental science, legal studies, and public policy, the institution demonstrates academia's capacity to develop comprehensive solutions for complex problems.
The university actively encourages faculty and student participation in civic affairs, creating structured opportunities for academic expertise to inform public discourse and policymaking. This commitment to societal engagement reflects Fordham's broader mission of balancing rigorous scholarship with tangible community impact.