Ehsan Vahidi, the John N. Butler Endowed Professor in Extractive Metallurgy, has been named an associate editor of the open-access journal, Frontiers in Sustainable Resource Management. Vahidi’s research crosses the traditional boundaries between metallurgical engineering and sustainability science. He has published impactful research on greenhouse gas mitigation strategies in the U.S. building sector, the role of construction materials in greenhouse gas emissions, and net-zero opportunities in the mining and recycling of critical minerals.

Frontiers is an open-access publisher of peer-reviewed journals in over 900 academic disciplines. Frontiers in Sustainable Resource Management focuses on the human use of natural resources and publications cover topics related to natural resources, sustainable land use, sustainable materials, smart technology, sustainable policy, and waste management. The journal integrates earth and natural sciences with engineering, technology, and corporate and social responsibility. As associate editor, Vahidi is instrumental to the launch of the new journal.

“With an amazing editorial team, this new open-access journal will help shape the future of sustainable materials and minerals,” Vahidi said.

In 2022, the multinational accounting and auditing firm KPMG named environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues as the biggest risk to business in the Global Mining Outlook report, outranking the price of the products they sell and access to talent, for the first time in the 12-year history of risks and opportunities research. Vahidi’s appointment and the publication of the new journal come at a critical time.

“The publication of this journal is a great opportunity to expand our sustainable economy,” Executive Vice President and Provost Jeffrey Thompson said. “Vahidi’s appointment is a recognition of his impactful research in the area of sustainable resource management, and I look forward to reviewing his contributions as associate editor.”

Vahidi was recruited to the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering in 2020 with the offer of his named position, the John N. Butler Endowed Professorship in Extractive Metallurgy. The named professorship was established in 1986 with a gift from the estate of metallurgy professor John Butler, who served as chair of the Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering and Mining Engineering Departments.