The events include not only MacArthur graduate students and faculty from the three universities, but also involve other prominent scholars and practitioners working in relevant areas. Interactive television courses link MacArthur Scholars and faculty on the three campuses. Interinstitutional research networks have formed around issues of gender and global change, water and conflict, and transnational activism. These research networks have produced collections of individually and collectively written papers, and two of the networks are in the process of producing thematic, edited volumes of their work. Its projects are based on the fundamental idea that sustainable relationships between the social, economic and ecological spheres of the world are possible and desirable.
Current work includes research on genetically modified organisms and organic aquaculture.
The Honors Program in International Studies is a collaborative effort of ICGC and Chicago State University that offers a multi-year academic program for American minority undergraduates headed for graduate school. Through this program, exceptional American minority students from both universities receive intensive preparation for graduate studies with an international orientation through both academic year honors coursework and an intensive summer program held at the University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.