The Critical Minerals Research Lab
An interdisciplinary hub to help PhD students develop, improve, and disseminate policy-relevant research on critical minerals for the clean energy transition.
A Forum for Interdisciplinary Research on Critical Minerals
As the world transitions to clean energy technologies, how can decisionmakers achieve a cost-effective, reliable, environmentally friendly, and equitable supply chain for the critical minerals needed to support that transition?
Because supply and demand for critical minerals are affected by sociological, technical, and economic factors, interdisciplinary research will play a strong role in critical mineral policymaking. The growing importance of critical mineral research across PhD programs in the United States means that graduate student research will likely have important impacts on future policy development.
To that end, the Critical Minerals Research Lab brings students with diverse backgrounds and disciplines together to connect, receive feedback on their work, and identify interdisciplinary research ideas and partners. The lab also helps inform students of day-to-day issues on critical minerals, including grant funding opportunities, conferences, and ongoing policy discussions. By participating in the lab, students from across the country will be able to improve their research questions and approaches, and in turn, the policy recommendations that emerge from their work.
The lab is led by:
- Beia Spiller | Fellow and Transportation Program Director, Resources for the Future
- Kate Whitefoot | Associate Professor, Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering
- Nicole Smith | Associate Professor, Colorado School of Mines Mining Engineering Department
- Karan Bhuwalka | Staff Scientist, Stanford University STEER group
The lab is virtual (over Zoom), with bi-weekly hour-long meetings held on Wednesdays at 4:00pm ET, quarterly seminars, and one end-of-year workshop. Students will also be connected via an email group, where they can connect, collaborate, and share information.
Bi-Weekly Meetings
The meetings will provide students with a space to present and receive feedback on their research, while also providing opportunities for smaller group sessions where research ideas will be honed. Additionally, there will be broader group discussions on a variety of critical minerals–related topics. Students are expected to make a concerted effort to join all meetings.
Quarterly Seminars
Each quarter, the lab’s leaders will invite a guest speaker to give a seminar on a critical minerals–related topic.
Collaborative Research Products
The scholars will be expected to prepare a written document (such as an issue brief, a report, a blog, or other external communication product) in collaboration with at least one other lab scholar. Brainstorming sessions will be held at the beginning of the year to help identify topics of interest and collaboration opportunities.
End-of-Year Workshop
At the end of the academic year, RFF will host a virtual public-facing workshop where the students will present their work to a broad audience, including government agencies, congressional staff, funders, NGOs, other academics, journalists, and more. Students will be encouraged to form interdisciplinary collaborations with other students in the lab and present the results of these collaborations at the workshop.
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Events
- Editorial
- News
Press Release — Aug 13, 2025
The Critical Minerals Research Lab Welcomes A New Cohort
Sixteen PhD students will comprise the 2025-2026 cohort of the Critical Minerals Research Lab, a virtual hub for students to develop expertise on critical minerals and the energy transition.
Common Resources — Jun 12, 2024
A New Interdisciplinary Critical Minerals Research Lab for PhD Students
Announcement of new Critical Minerals Research Lab: application submissions are welcome from PhD students who are conducting interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research on critical minerals for the clean energy transition.
Press Release — Jun 12, 2024
RFF Launches Lab to Support New Critical Mineral Scholars
Resources for the Future is pleased to announce the launch of the Critical Minerals Research Lab, a virtual hub to help PhD students develop, improve, and disseminate policy-relevant research on critical minerals.
Environmental Justice Series — Jun 6, 2024
Critical Minerals, Critical Stakeholders: Engaging Local Communities in Mineral Resource Collaboration
A webinar featuring industry experts exploring the impacts of mineral extraction efforts on local communities.
Report — Dec 7, 2023
Policy Challenges for Accessing Critical Minerals to Electrify Vehicle Transport
This report explores challenges to accessing the supply of critical minerals necessary for widespread vehicle electrification in the United States.
Report — Jul 5, 2023
How Would the Proposed EPA Passenger Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards Affect New-Vehicle Consumers?
This report evaluates the benefits and costs of EPA's proposed greenhouse gas emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles, as well as the distribution of benefits across new vehicle consumers.
Journal Article — Aug 31, 2023
From Diesel to Electric: Overcoming Grid Integration Challenges in the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Sector
From Diesel to Electric: Overcoming Grid Integration Challenges in the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Sector
Report — May 3, 2023
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Electrification: Challenges, Policy Solutions, and Open Research Questions
In this report, RFF researchers lay out the major challenges of and potential policy solutions to medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification.
Environmental Justice Series — Jun 6, 2024
Critical Minerals, Critical Stakeholders: Engaging Local Communities in Mineral Resource Collaboration
A webinar featuring industry experts exploring the impacts of mineral extraction efforts on local communities.
RFF Live — Mar 12, 2024
Digging Deep: Critical Minerals, Electric Vehicles, and the Role of Innovation
An RFF Live event exploring critical mineral markets, increased electric vehicle demand, and technological innovation
Workshop — Mar 15, 2024
2024 Transportation Engineering, Economics, and Policy Workshop
2024 Transportation Engineering, Economics, and Policy Workshop
Policy Leadership Series — Nov 29, 2023
Electrifying Transportation: A Policy Leadership Series Event with Cathy Zoi
A conversation with former EVgo CEO and Director Cathy Zoi on the ways to electrify the transportation sector.
Common Resources — Jun 12, 2024
A New Interdisciplinary Critical Minerals Research Lab for PhD Students
Announcement of new Critical Minerals Research Lab: application submissions are welcome from PhD students who are conducting interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research on critical minerals for the clean energy transition.
Common Resources — Mar 7, 2024
Critical Minerals for Electric Vehicles: What You Need to Know
A primer on the importance of critical minerals for electric vehicles and concerns about their availability and cost.
In Focus — Jan 2, 2024
In Focus: Sustainable Critical Mineral Extraction
This video shares insights about innovative options for obtaining critical minerals that are used in electric vehicle batteries, with RFF Fellow Beia Spiller.
Common Resources — Aug 30, 2023
Critical Minerals: Insights from a Recent Workshop
Insights for how the United States can approach secure and affordable access to the critical minerals that are needed for electric vehicle production, from a recent workshop held at Resources for the Future.
Press Release — Aug 13, 2025
The Critical Minerals Research Lab Welcomes A New Cohort
Sixteen PhD students will comprise the 2025-2026 cohort of the Critical Minerals Research Lab, a virtual hub for students to develop expertise on critical minerals and the energy transition.
Press Release — Apr 3, 2025
RFF Announced Another Year for Critical Minerals Research Lab
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.
Press Release — Sep 11, 2024
Fourteen PhD Students Chosen for New Critical Minerals Research Lab
The lab is pleased to announce that it has now selected the first class of scholars.
Press Release — Jun 12, 2024
RFF Launches Lab to Support New Critical Mineral Scholars
Resources for the Future is pleased to announce the launch of the Critical Minerals Research Lab, a virtual hub to help PhD students develop, improve, and disseminate policy-relevant research on critical minerals.
