RFF Launches Lab to Support New Critical Mineral Scholars
Resources for the Future is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the second year of the Critical Minerals Research Lab, a virtual hub to help PhD students develop, improve, and disseminate policy-relevant research on critical minerals.
💡 What’s the story?
Resources for the Future (RFF) is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the second year of the Critical Minerals Research Lab, a virtual hub to help PhD students develop, improve, and disseminate policy-relevant research on critical minerals. The lab aims to approach critical minerals research with an interdisciplinary lens: student researchers accepted to the program will collaborate with peers from different academic fields to develop new perspectives for their work.
The lab will accept applications until May 30 and officially launch in September.
Expert Perspective
“Last year’s Critical Minerals Research Lab was a great opportunity for students to learn how others are thinking about critical minerals and complex social, economic, and policy questions. We’re thrilled to bring the lab back for a second summer and continue to give doctoral students the tools and relationships they need to engage with critical minerals research in a holistic way.”
—Beia Spiller, RFF Fellow
🏫What will the lab do?
The lab is led by Beia Spiller, a fellow and director of the Transportation Program at RFF; Kate Whitefoot, an associate professor in Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering; Nicole Smith, an associate professor in the mining engineering department at the Colorado School of Mines; and Karan Bhuwalka, a staff scientist at Stanford University.
The lab will involve bi-weekly meetings, presentations and Q&A sessions by students, small group brainstorming sessions, discussions of policy-relevant topics, and networking opportunities. Throughout the year, the scholars will work together to produce policy-focused articles by June 2026, which will be featured on the RFF website. The lab will also inform students of grant funding opportunities, proposed and upcoming legislation, and conferences. By participating in the lab, students will be able to improve their research questions and approaches and, in turn, the policy recommendations that emerge from their work. At the end of the academic year, RFF will host a virtual, public workshop where the students will present their work to a broad audience.
For more information about the lab and its motivations, read Spiller’s 2024 Common Resources blog post.
⚒️ How can I get involved?
The team is searching for a diverse group of students across a broad range of interests, including but not limited to engineering, economics, policy, anthropology, and sociology. This second class of scholars will consist of 12 to 15 PhD students who are conducting independent research in relevant areas.
Students interested in participating in the lab should apply using the instructions on the lab’s webpage. Applications are due May 30, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact Beia Spiller.
Resources for the Future (RFF) is an independent, nonprofit research institution in Washington, DC. Its mission is to improve environmental, energy, and natural resource decisions through impartial economic research and policy engagement. RFF is committed to being the most widely trusted source of research insights and policy solutions leading to a healthy environment and a thriving economy.
Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed here are those of the individual authors and may differ from those of other RFF experts, its officers, or its directors. RFF does not take positions on specific legislative proposals.
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