Mapping Heat and Walkability for Duke Heat Governance (2026-2027)

Background

Extreme heat is one of the fastest-growing climate-related risks to human health, learning and productivity. University campuses are not immune. Students, faculty and staff increasingly experience heat stress while commuting, learning, playing sports and working outdoors. Campus infrastructure such as paved surfaces, limited shade and energy-intensive cooling can amplify urban heat island effects.

Across North Carolina, emerging statewide initiatives — including the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Resilient Communities Program — are establishing coordinated heat governance frameworks that integrate climate data, health considerations and infrastructure planning. Duke University, however, does not yet have an institutional structure or comprehensive assessment to guide its own heat-risk governance.

Project Description

Building on the 2025 DukeEngage program in the U.S. Virgin Islands and on a partnership with Duke’s Heat Policy Innovation Hub, this project will generate the first campus-wide heat exposure map and develop a student-authored heat action and governance plan for Duke. The project will involve interdisciplinary fieldwork, analysis and policy development across three phases.

Data collection
The team will deploy sensors such as wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) devices and thermal cameras to map indoor and outdoor temperatures across Duke’s campus, including residence halls, athletic fields, pedestrian corridors and shaded areas. Working in collaboration with the Museum of Life and Science’s Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring, team members will receive training in field methods and in translating climate data into policy-relevant insights.

Analysis and governance assessment
Team members will analyze environmental and infrastructure data, assess case studies of North Carolina municipal heat action plans and review global heat governance frameworks. A campus-wide survey will measure heat perception, exposure patterns and areas of concern. These data will inform a model of Duke’s existing policies and guide the development of a comprehensive heat governance plan.

Drafting the Duke Heat Action and Governance Plan
Interdisciplinary subteams will draft a heat action and governance plan, develop visualizations, interpret findings and present recommendations to Duke leadership, including the Duke Climate Commitment Advisory Council. Deliverables will include interactive heat maps, a communications toolkit, policy recommendations and an adaptable template for other universities and municipalities.

Through this process, the project will strengthen partnerships with campus departments and external collaborators while supporting long-range planning for thermal safety, resilience and climate equity.

Anticipated Outputs

Interactive campus heat maps and a thermal image library
Duke’s first student-authored heat action and governance plan
Ecosystem map and maturity model of Duke’s heat readiness
Results of a campus-wide heat perception and exposure survey
Communications and outreach toolkit
Adaptable heat governance policy template for other institutions
Informal education and community-science materials developed with the Museum of Life and Science

Student Opportunities

Ideally, this project team will include 8–10 undergraduates and 3–5 graduate or professional students from fields such as environmental science, engineering, public policy, data science, global health, urban studies and communications. Those with skills in GIS, R coding, data visualization, survey design and public health analysis are especially encouraged to apply.

This team will utilize a flexible collaboration model, but will include four subteams: data collection and equipment management, survey design and community engagement, data analysis and visualization, and communications and policy drafting. Depending on specialization, students will have opportunities to gain experience in heat data collection, survey design, data analysis and visualization, development of spatial models and communicating findings to key decision-makers.

Graduate and professional participants will mentor subteams, refine leadership skills and deepen expertise in climate adaptation, public health and policy translation.

Timing

Summer 2026 – Spring 2027

Summer 2026 (optional):

Field deployment of heat sensors, WBGT devices and thermal cameras across campus

Fall 2026:

Analysis of campus heat and infrastructure data
Review of national and global heat governance case studies
Survey development and administration
Development of existing policy maturity model

Spring 2027:

Drafting of a Duke heat action and governance plan
Creation of data visualizations and policy recommendations
Presentations to campus leadership

Crediting

Academic credit available for fall and spring semesters