- Climate change and paleoclimate studies
- Renewable energy sources
- Environmental impacts of resource extraction
- Supply chains and sustainable development. Responsible use of resources: water, soil, oil, minerals
- Environmental monitoring through remote sensing, applied geophysics and geochemistry
- Geoscience education
Sustainable development is a key factor in the future success of industries in Ecuador. Research along these lines will help ensure that the country better understands current climate change scenarios and can prepare accordingly. Understanding past climate change is necessary for such an effort. Furthermore, responsible and sustainable mining will likely be a cornerstone of Ecuador’s economy and therefore the school will contribute to this field; improving understanding of how to develop responsible mining while protecting Ecuador’s other natural resources (water, air, soil, and biodiversity). Energy resources, both renewable and non-renewable, require more research and monitoring efforts. Additional work will be done to share this knowledge with local communities, industry, government stakeholders.