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RFF's Critical Minerals Research Lab

In collaboration with other critical mineral experts, I lead a virtual research lab that brings together a group of interdisciplinary PhD students working on critical minerals for the clean energy transition. The lab provides a space for young and emerging researchers to create a research network, identify collaborative projects, provide and receive feedback on ongoing work, connect with stakeholders, and present publicly to broad audiences. 

For a broader look into the lab, see this blog: A New Interdisciplinary Critical Minerals Research Lab for PhD Students 

Co-Hosts:

• Nicole Smith, Colorado School of Mines

• Kate Whitefoot, Carnegie Mellon University

• Mike Toman, Resources for the Future

2025-2026 Research Lab 

• This year's lab hosts a variety of disciplines, including economics, engineering, geology, energy systems, and much more, with many scholars being interdisciplinary in nature. 

• See here for more information on the scholars: media.rff.org/documents/Critical_mineral_scholars_-_short_bios_2025.pdf 

2024-2025 Research Lab

• The first year's lab cohort brought together a variety of disciplines. See this blog for an in-depth look at a few of them: Meet the Students of the Critical Minerals Research Lab 

• At the end of the year, we held a conference where the students presented their work, see more here: Critical Minerals Research Lab Conference  

• We also produced a variety of research projects and submitted joint comments. These documents are available here:

  • The Strategic Game of Rare Earths: Why China May Only Be in Favor of Temporary Export Restrictions 

  • Corporate Due Diligence, Auto Industry, and Battery Supply Chains 

  • Comment on the Department of Energy’s Request for Information on the 2026 Energy Critical Materials Assessment