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Letter from the AESS President

August 27, 2025 AESS News Bulletins

August 2025 Letter from the AESS President

Dear AESS Community,

I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a happy end of summer and a smooth start to the new academic year. Like many of you, I’m feeling a mix of emotions—some excitement, some anxiety. Am I ready? Where is my syllabus? And wait… I’m teaching at 8:10 a.m. this year?!?

The past few years have been a wild ride. From navigating the disruptions of COVID to now grappling with the promise and complexity of artificial intelligence, federal administrative changes, higher education has seen its fair share of flux. Through it all, I remain deeply grateful for this work we do. Teaching is a gift, and each year brings new energy, new questions, and new students into our classrooms.

This summer’s AESS 2025 conference in St. Paul, MN, reminded me just how much I value this community. It was not only filled with insightful presentations and workshops—but it was also just fun. The energy, the smiles, the in-person conversations—it was refreshing and inspiring.

One major highlight for me was the strong focus on pedagogy and teaching practice. From sessions on environmental resilience and grassroots organizing to classroom innovations and cross-disciplinary collaborations, the conference was a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to both scholarship and education.

Oh, and the field trips? So good. I got a behind-the-scenes tour of the natural history museum and saw the femur of a massive sauropod. Others went hiking and kayaking—so much joy and connection all around.

Most of all, I appreciated the personal interactions—hearing your stories, your challenges, and your aspirations. As the incoming president, these conversations helped me better understand the needs of the AESS community, and I want to thank all of you who attended and presented. Your contributions made the conference meaningful.

As we ramp up for the new year, I want to extend my best wishes to all of you in the ESS and AESS community. The more I engage with AESS, the more I realize how powerful this network can be. If you’re not yet a member but curious—join us! A single conversation with a colleague can spark new ideas and collaborations.

A few items to keep on your radar:

  1.   AESS 2026 will be fully remote and held around the same time as our usual in-person summer conference. Stay tuned for more details.
  2.   We’re launching our first-ever Workshop Retreat in 2026! This will be a two-day, product-oriented retreat focused on advancing research in environmental studies and science pedagogy. We’re really excited about this new model and hope you’ll consider participating. See below for details!

Thanks again to all the ESS practitioners out there. Here’s to a restful end of summer and a great start to the school year!

Sincerely,
Dave Murphy
President, AESS

Workshop Retreat
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2025 Election Results

June 17, 2025 AESS News Bulletins

Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences Announces New Board Members

Contact: Carolyn Anthon

support@aessonline.org 

Office: (202) 503-4638 

June 18, 2025

For immediate release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s elections. The candidates below were selected by their peers earlier this spring, with the results certified by the AESS Elections committee. 

President-Elect: Breeann Kyte Kirby

Treasurer: Laura Henry-Stone

Board at-large: 

Jacqueline Maximillian

Jacob Park

Corey Denenberg Dehner

Nominations Committee: 

Nirav Patel

The candidates come from wide ranging backgrounds including a molecular biologist and creative writing professor, a natural resource expert, an environmental policy analyst and a sustainable technology innovation specialist. We have individuals joining us from across the United States, from Vermont to California and including the midwest. The newly elected will officially take office following the close of the annual AESS conference, which is being held in St. Paul, MN June 23-25. To find out more about the elected, visit AESS’s election page.

Thank you to the Nominations Committee, who is responsible for recruiting and nominating candidates for elective offices. Learn more about AESS Committees. If you wish to serve on a committee, email support@aessonline.org. All AESS members are welcome to serve!

The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences is a scholarly and professional organization that promotes interdisciplinary research, teaching and service for faculty and students in the more than 1,000 Environmental academic programs nationwide and beyond.

https://aessonline.org/2025-election-results/

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AESS Announces 2025 Award Winners

June 16, 2025 AESS News Bulletins

Contact: Carolyn Anthon

support@aessonline.org 

Office: (202) 503-4638 

June 16, 2025

For immediate release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) has selected the three recipients of the 2025 AESS Awards to be recognized at an awards luncheon during the AESS Annual Conference, June 23-25. Since 2010, these awards have recognized faculty, scholars and students in Environmental Studies and Sciences at all career stages who exemplify the highest standards of teaching, scholarship and service to the AESS community.

The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences is a scholarly and professional organization that promotes interdisciplinary research, teaching and service for faculty and students in the more than 1,000 Environmental academic programs nationwide and beyond.  

2025 Award Recipients

Dr. David Blockstein has been awarded the William R. Freudenburg Lifetime Achievement Award.  Named for an AESS founder, Dr. William R. Freudenburg, this Award seeks to recognize and advance the spirit of AESS co-founder, the late Professor William R. Freudenburg, who spawned a new generation of environmental professionals and academics who have pursued interdisciplinary research to address some of the most pressing issues of our time. Through this award, AESS honors members of the profession who have also devoted their lives to strengthening our field by mentoring the next generation of environmental scientists and activists. 

An ecologist and conservation biologist, Dr. Blockstein has served throughout his career as a leader in work dedicated to science and the environment. This includes 28 years with the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE), serving as its first Executive Director. In 2001, Dr. Blockstein founded the Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (CEDD) – the first professional organization for deans and directors of environmental colleges and programs. In addition, he founded the Council of Energy Research and Education Leaders (CEREL) in 2006. He is also one of the founders of the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS).

His work bridges science and policy; Dr. Blockstein has worked on issues as varied as climate change, energy, biodiversity, and sustainability. His career has emphasized increasing minority representation in the sciences, improving decision-making with science, and using digital tools to communicate more broadly about science and the environment.

He has served on committees for scientific and conservation organizations, to name just a few: the American Association for the Advancement of Science; American Chemical Society; American Society of Zoologists; Society for Conservation Biology; American Ornithologists’ Union; University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences; American Bird Conservancy; World Conservation Union (IUCN); Aldo Leopold Foundation; National Foundation for Environmental Education; and the Environmental Education Coalition. He continues his dedication to science, policy, teaching, and advocacy as co-Director of the Worldwide Climate and Justice Education Week. AESS is excited to recognize Dr. Blockstein for a lifetime of achievements and continual devotion to supporting the next generation of environmental scholars.

Dr. Jacob Park has been recognized with the AESS Mid-Career Award. This Award honors individuals who are mid-career and have made significant contributions to environmental studies or environmental sciences for at least ten years. Through this award, AESS recognizes outstanding accomplishments and sustained excellence in research, policy, activism, or a combination of these areas. Upon learning of his award, Dr. Park shared, “I am grateful to AESS for this award and for recognizing something I have always believed in: the importance of cultivating an integrated interdisciplinary approach to teaching, research, and scholarly engagement.” The committee noted strong scholarship, commitment to interdisciplinarity, contributions to the work of critically important institutions such as the UNEP and IUCN, as well as work supporting the next generation of ESS scholars. Dr. Park exemplifies the spirit of AESS in terms of scholarly and participatory approaches to ESS.

Dr. Corrie Grosse has been awarded the AESS Early Career Award. This Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments and promising future potential for teaching, research, policy, or activism in any field of environmental science and studies. Through this award, AESS honors individuals who are early in their careers, but have made significant contributions to knowledge, community and diversity in environmental studies and science, and have a career plan and trajectory that promise to continue and bolster such contributions. Dr. Grosse is “honored to receive this award from such a welcoming community of scholars and activists devoted to producing, sharing, and applying knowledge to create the world we need.” The committee noted Dr. Grosse’s critically important scholarship, commitment to activism, dedication to inclusivity and justice, and impact on students. Dr. Grosse’s commitments to advance climate justice and engage scholars across disciplines exemplify AESS’s mission to promote collaborative environmental problem-solving.

The Association will also be evaluating poster presentations during the Conference and selecting a recipient for the Student Poster Award.

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Sessions for Professional Growth at AESS 2025

May 19, 2025 Uncategorized
The AESS Professional Development Committee is delighted to present a listing of all sessions related to PD that will be held at our June conference. Full session details can be found at our conference event website: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/AESS2025/sessions
Monday, June 23, 2025
1C: Lone Wolves and the Fierce Green Fire: A Workshop for Faculty Independently Managing Interdisciplinary Environmental Programs During Crisis June 23, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
1D: Bringing “Many Care, Just Differently” Into Your Scholarship & Teaching June 23, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
1E: Teaching, Scholarship, and Community Action under Trump 2.0 June 23, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
2A: Campuses as Living Labs: Local Actions, Community Engagement, and Environmental Practice June 23, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
2D: A review of core courses in Environmental Science curricula: Connecting best practices to on-the-ground program realities June 23, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
2C: New Applications for Documentary Film in Environmental Studies Pedagogy and Social Justice June 23, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
3B: Collaborating for Climate Resilience in Uncertain Times June 24, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
3C: The Lighter Side of Climate: Using Playfulness in our Sustainability Classrooms June 24, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
4D: Pedagogical Approaches to Capstone Experiences in Interdisciplinary Environmental Programs June 24, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
4C: Amplifying Sustainability in Higher Education Through Organizational Behavior Change June 24, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
4B: Community, Climate, and Public Health: Building Environmental Resilience Across Systems June 24, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
5E: DEI in 2025 Discussion June 25, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
5C: Is It You or Is It Burnout? – Acknowledging and Coping with Burnout (Symposia) June 25, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
5B: Why a true interdisciplinary curriculum is worth it; why it’s not easy; and strategies for how to get there.June 25, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
6B: Mentoring Excellence: Best Practices for Mentors and Mentees June 25, 9:45 AM – 11:15 AM
7C: Creating a Regional Environmental Studies Community: A View from the Greater Twin Cities June 25, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Good to Know: dates and times are accurate as of publishing. Changes are reflected in real-time on the event website schedule. Plus, aessconference.org has all event-related details.
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Special Journal Issue: Call for Papers

March 20, 2025 JESS

Call for papers – Special Issue

Indigenous Ecological Knowledge in South Asia – Lessons for Rights of Nature Discourses

Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences

Editor-in-Chief: Teresa Lloro

Deadline for submission of papers: 31 May 2025

Please direct inquiries to special issue editor, Dr. Philippe Cullet: pcullet@nlumeg.ac.in and pc38@soas.ac.uk

Context

Rights of nature have caught up the imagination of all stakeholders, in part because this is seen as a potential alternative discourse to the increasingly discredited framing around sustainable development.[1] On the one hand, rights of nature are framed around the need to give effective priority to nature, reflected through an emphasis on ecocentric perspectives, opposed to the anthropocentricity of sustainable development and (international) environmental law.[2] On the other hand, rights of nature debates offer an entry point for addressing the various shortcomings of environmental policy over the past five decades. One of these is the top-down nature of environmental protection measures framed at the national level, or even international level, and trickling down to the local level. The level of engagement with people’s own nature conservation practices and policies has been on the whole relatively limited, as reflected, for instance, in policies favouring participation as part of a process of consultation rather than actual decision making. 

In this context, practices, policies and norms of indigenous peoples have been seen as potential anchors for the new environmental policy that needs to be built to address everything, from local environmental crises to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity.[3] In other words, rights of nature could turn out to offer a game-changing discourse by effectively engaging with practices and policies that have proved to be effective in the longer term. 

Indigenous environmental knowledge throws a challenge to conventional environmental policy, and also offers an alternative to the ecocentric framing of rights of nature. In this sense, it has the potential to offer a completely different framework for environmental policy of the future. At the same time, one of the reasons why indigenous practices often remain under-researched is because they have not been given the kind of recognition they deserve. 

This special issue seeks: 

–       papers that engage with indigenous ecological knowledge in the broader context of rights of nature in South Asia.

–       papers that engage from a variety of disciplines with the policy, law and governance aspects of indigenous ecological knowledge in relation to rights of nature.

–       papers that engage with local case studies, national-level framings or South Asia level debates.

–       papers that engage with issues related to livelihoods in relation to conservation, collective dimensions of the use and protection of the environment, specific elements of the environment (eg forests, water) are particularly welcome.

[1]      eg David R. Boyd, The Rights of Nature: A Legal Revolution that Could Save the World (ECW Press, 2017); M Davies, EcoLaw: Legality, Life, and the Normativity of Nature (Routledge 2022); Craig M. Kauffman and Pamela L. Martin, The Politics of Rights of Nature – Strategies for Building a More Sustainable Future (MIT Press, 2021).

[2]      eg Elizabeth Macpherson, ‘The (Human) Rights of Nature: A Comparative Study of Emerging Legal Rights for Rivers and Lakes in the United States of America and Mexico’ (2021) 31 Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum 327.

[3]      eg Juan José Guzmán, ‘Decolonizing Law and Expanding Human Rights: Indigenous Conceptions and the Rights of Nature in Ecuador’ (2019) 4 Deusto Journal of Human Rights 59.

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AESS Announces 2024 Award Winners

June 20, 2024 AESS News Bulletins

Contact: Carolyn Anthon

support@aessonline.org 

Office: (202) 503-4638 

June 20, 2024

For immediate release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) has selected the four recipients of the 2024 AESS Awards to be recognized at a virtual ceremony during the AESS Annual Conference, June 20-21, 2024. Since 2010, these awards have recognized faculty, scholars and students in Environmental Studies and Sciences at all career stages who exemplify the highest standards of teaching, scholarship and service to the AESS community.

The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences is a scholarly and professional organization that promotes interdisciplinary research, teaching and service for faculty and students in the more than 1,000 Environmental academic programs nationwide and beyond.  

2024 Award Recipients

Dr. Stephanie Kaza has been awarded the William R. Freudenburg Lifetime Achievement Award.  Named for an AESS founder, Dr. William R. Freudenburg, this Award seeks to recognize and advance the spirit of AESS co-founder, the late Professor William R. Freudenburg, who spawned a new generation of environmental professionals and academics who have pursued interdisciplinary research to address some of the most pressing issues of our time. Through this award, AESS honors members of the profession who have also devoted their lives to strengthening our field by mentoring the next generation of environmental scientists and activists. Dr. Stephanie Kaza is Professor Emeritus in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont (UVM). She is a writer, a practicing Soto Zen Buddhist and tireless advocate for interdisciplinary studies. For many years, she served as the Director of the Environmental Program at UVM  and on the U.S. Council of Environmental Deans and Directors. Dr. Kaza has been a leader in the interdisciplinary field of environmental studies for most of her career. 

Dr. Kaza’s scholarly contributions reflect a commitment to integrative environmental scholarship. Her publications underscore the significance of humanities in interdisciplinary environmental studies. Notably, her last three books, published by the Buddhist press Shambala Publications, delve into the intersection of spirituality and ecology. Equally significant is Dr. Kaza’s impact as an educator. Throughout her extensive career, she has excelled in teaching and lecturing on various topics. In 2011, she received the UVM George V. Kidder Outstanding Faculty Award, a testament to her excellence in teaching. Dr. Stephanie Kaza has a lifetime of commitment to interdisciplinary environmental studies and sciences. AESS is delighted to recognize her long-standing contributions to the organization as one of the founding members and to the field overall. 

Dr. Laurence Delina has been awarded the AESS Early Career Award. This Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments and promising future potential for teaching, research, policy, or activism in any field of environmental science and studies. Through this award, AESS honors individuals who are early in their careers, but have made significant contributions to knowledge, community and diversity in environmental studies and science, and have a career plan and trajectory that promise to continue and bolster such contributions. Dr. Delina’s research is primarily focused on climate, energy and resilience with a specific emphasis on vulnerable populations in Southeast Asia, his home region. The committee noted accomplishments as a scholar as well as dedication in the field – particularly the collaborative and consistent support of students and more junior researchers via the Delina Research Group. Dr. Delina exemplifies the spirit of AESS in terms of scholarly and participatory approaches to ESS.

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2024 Election Results

June 15, 2024 2016 Conference, 2017 Conference, 2018 Conference, AESS News Bulletins, AESS Voices, Branded Books Series

Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences Announces New Board Members

Contact: Carolyn Anthon

support@aessonline.org 

Office: (202) 503-4638 

June 17, 2024

For immediate release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s elections. The candidates below were selected by their peers earlier this month, with the results certified by the AESS Elections committee. 

President-Elect: Dave Murphy 

Secretary: Brieanne Berry

Board at-large: Fateh Bindra (student), Paul Jorgensen, Katharine Owens

Nominations Committee: Emily Azevedo-Casey (student), Patricia DeMarco, Ben Ndayambaje

The candidates come from wide ranging backgrounds including a global health leader, a water quality policy researcher, an energy and environmental policy analyst and a social scientist. We have individuals joining us from across the United States and abroad, from north eastern states to Wisconsin and down to the Rio Grande region of Texas as well as international representation in Singapore. The newly elected board, some who have served on the board previously, expressed honor and gratitude at serving AESS in their new positions. 

“I am committed to fostering an inclusive community that welcomes and values diverse perspectives, understanding that our efforts to address environmental challenges are enriched by a multitude of voices,” Dave Murphy said. Murphy also expresses a deep appreciation for the AESS community’s positivity, and plans to devote particular effort into outreach and membership growth.

Emily Azevedo-Casey is a PhD student at UW-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and brings prior non-profit board experience along with a track record recruiting speakers and panelists and designing events. She identifies as a nontraditional student and shares “it would be my priority to build an election slate [for 2025] that reflects the diversity of both the AESS community and the environmental studies and science fields.”

Paul Jorgensen brings experience working in a region experiencing environmental injustice. He expresses an appreciation for AESS and opportunities for interdisciplinary professionals to collaborate. “I would like to work at continuing the justice-oriented mission of AESS so that the organization is inclusive and inviting for all who are actively working to promote sustainable living.” Jorgensen also plans to continue serving on the conference and membership committees.

Kat Owens embodies interdisciplinary studies through her work in science, policy and the arts. She is well-known in the AESS community for her group sewing sessions where participants actively divert plastic film from oceans by creating life-sized portraits of animals harmed by plastic pollution. “AESS is my primary professional group and I truly appreciate the interdisciplinary approach and welcoming atmosphere,” said Owens. Owens has previously served on the Board and looks forward to continuing efforts to amplify the voices and works of diverse members.

The newly elected will officially take office following the close of the annual AESS conference, which is being held virtually June 20-21. To find out more about the elected, visit AESS’s election page. 

Thank you to the Nominations Committee, who is responsible for recruiting and nominating candidates for elective offices. Learn more about AESS Committees. If you wish to serve on a committee, email support@aessonline.org. All AESS members are welcome to serve!

The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences is a scholarly and professional organization that promotes interdisciplinary research, teaching and service for faculty and students in the more than 1,000 Environmental academic programs nationwide and beyond.

https://aessonline.org/2024-election-results/

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AESS Announces 2023 Award Winners

July 21, 2023 AESS News Bulletins

Contact: Carolyn Anthon

canthon@aessonline.org 

Office: (202) 503-4638 

July 21, 2023

For immediate release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) recognized three recipients of the 2023 AESS Awards during the AESS Annual Conference, July 9-12, 2023. Since 2010, these awards have recognized faculty, scholars and students in Environmental Studies and Sciences at all career stages who exemplify the highest standards of teaching, scholarship and service to the AESS community.

The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences is a scholarly and professional organization that promotes interdisciplinary research, teaching and service for faculty and students in the more than 1,000 Environmental academic programs nationwide and beyond.  

2023 Award Recipients

Dr. James Proctor has been awarded the William R. Freudenburg Lifetime Achievement Award.  Named for an AESS founder, Dr. William R. Freudenburg, this Award seeks to recognize and advance the spirit of AESS co-founder, the late Professor William R. Freudenburg, who spawned a new generation of environmental professionals and academics who have pursued interdisciplinary research to address some of the most pressing issues of our time. Through this award, AESS honors members of the profession who have also devoted their lives to strengthening our field by mentoring the next generation of environmental scientists and activists. Jim Proctor is a Professor in the Environmental Studies Program at Lewis & Clark College, with a broad academic background spanning the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, and research interests in environmental theory. For over 30 years, Jim has been an innovative and productive scholar in Environmental Studies, an attentive and creative teacher in the ES classroom, and a generous and supportive mentor to many others in our interdisciplinary space. Jim was one of the founding members of AESS, and has written extensively about the discipline itself as well as many essential ideas in ESS, including social constructivism, environmental education, ideological conflict, and ethics. Most recently, he has developed the Ecotypes survey, an impressive synthesis of a variety of foundational ideas in ESS, and he is also heading the AESS Frameworks Project, a group working to understand and improve how ideological frameworks are understood and deployed in ESS classrooms. He has an incredible ability to bring people together around interesting topics and to create meaningful products from those efforts.

Dr. Lisa Powell has been awarded the AESS Early Career Award. This Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments and promising future potential for teaching, research, policy, or activism in any field of environmental science and studies.  Through this award, AESS honors individuals who are early in their careers, but have made significant contributions to knowledge, community and diversity in environmental studies and science, and have a career plan and trajectory that promise to continue and bolster such contributions. Lisa Powell is Director of the Center for Human and Environmental Sustainability, and Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Agriculture at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. Lisa is an interdisciplinary scholar of environments and food systems, whose research, teaching, and program development work weaves together her training in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, as well as her life-long involvement in her family’s farm. In her role as Director of Sweet Briar’s Center for Human and Environmental Sustainability, Lisa collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities on sustainability initiatives. She leads the academic and community-focused aspects of SBC’s agricultural areas, including the greenhouse, apiary, vineyard, garden, and forests. As a researcher, Lisa pursues a range of questions that all ultimately address human-environment relationships, most frequently in the contexts of food systems, policy, land use, and education.

Our Student Paper Award winner is Mr Peizhe Li . The AESS Student Paper Award recognizes the potential in graduate student research to create new insights and impact in environmental science and studies, and to engage with environmental policy, practice, and education.

Peizhe Li’s paper is titled “Climate adaptation planning for cultural heritages in coastal tourism destinations: A multi-objective optimization approach.” Peizhe Li is a graduate research and teaching assistant in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at North Carolina State University. His research interests include human dimension of climate change, adaptation planning for cultural heritages, and tourists’ stress, emotions, and coping. He is passionate about addressing and exploring environmental and social issues of tourism and park management through research, education, and community engagement. We look forward to his continued impact on the world of ESS, as well as participation in the AESS Community.

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2023 Election Results

June 15, 2023 2016 Conference, 2017 Conference, 2018 Conference, AESS News Bulletins, AESS Voices, Branded Books Series

Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences Announces New Board Members

Contact: Carolyn Anthon

support@aessonline.org 

Office: (202) 503-4638 

June 15, 2023

For immediate release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s elections. The candidates below were selected by their peers earlier this month, with the results certified by the AESS Elections committee. 

President-Elect: Susan Caplow 

Board at-large: Laureen Elgert, Laura Henry-Stone, Nirav Patel

Nominations Committee: Nurcan Atlan-Helicke, Elly Engle, Joy Yu-Rong Liu

The new members come from wide ranging backgrounds including a forest ecologist, an environmental justice professor and a social scientist. We have individuals joining us from across the entire United States, from New York to Alabama and across to Arizona. The newly elected board, some who have served on the board previously, expressed honor and gratitude at serving AESS in their new positions. 

“It is a huge honor to be selected to serve as the President Elect for the Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences,” Susan Caplow said. “AESS has always been such a welcoming community for me, a place where I have been able to collaboratively explore the unique challenges and opportunities inherent to interdisciplinary environmental programs.” 

Nirav Patel, an expert in experiential learning, shared that AESS has offered a welcoming platform since the beginning for all environmental areas. “I am deeply aware of the challenges many members of our profession face, especially those in underrepresented groups. I am excited to work with the members and the president elect on designing programs that can allow talented, creative, and diverse voices to emerge.”

As coordinator of McDaniel College’s Agrifood Program, Elly Engle examines ways in which community-led food initiatives contribute to localized sustainable development and socio-ecological justice. She expressed gratitude for the AESS community for giving her “support like no other professional organization.” She said she looks forward to returning this support for others in her new service role on the board.

The newly elected will officially take office following the close of the annual AESS conference, which is being held in Portland, OR July 9-12, 2023. To find out more about the elected, visit AESS’s election page. 

Thank you to the Nominations Committee, who is responsible for recruiting and nominating candidates for elective offices. Learn more about AESS Committees. If you wish to serve on a committee, email support@aessonline.org. All AESS members are welcome to serve!

The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences is a scholarly and professional organization that promotes interdisciplinary research, teaching and service for faculty and students in the more than 1,000 Environmental academic programs nationwide and beyond.

https://aessonline.org/2023-election-results/

Board President Elect

Susan Caplow

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, University of Montevallo

It is a huge honor to be selected to serve as the President Elect for the Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences. AESS has always been such a welcoming community for me, a place where I have been able to collaboratively explore the unique challenges and opportunities inherent to interdisciplinary environmental programs. In this role, I look forward to exploring ways to expand AESS’s reach and improve our services to the ESS community.

 

Board At-Large

Laureen Elgert

Professor, Environmental Policy and International Development
Department Head, Integrative and Global Studies
Global School, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Laura Henry-Stone

Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences and Sustainability, University of Lynchburg

Nirav Patel

Lecturer, Binghamton University, Department of Environmental Studies and Sustainability

Nominations Committee

Nurcan Atlan-Helicke

Associate Professor in Environmental Studies and Sciences, Skidmore

Elly Engle

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, McDaniel College

Joy Yu-Rong Liu

Independent Consultant, International Development and Environmental Studies in Higher Education
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DEI internship

May 8, 2023 2016 Conference, 2017 Conference, 2018 Conference, AESS News Bulletins, AESS Voices, Branded Books Series

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Internship

Introduction

The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) is an independent professional association that serves the needs of environmental scholars, educators, students, and professionals who value interdisciplinary approaches to research, teaching, and problem-solving. We’re excited to offer an internship focused on addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion within AESS. This intern will work with the AESS diversity committee on implementing DEI strategies in the AESS strategic plan. Individuals from historically marginalized groups are highly encouraged to apply. 

Internship Terms 

  • The intern will commit to working an average of 7 hours a week for 15 weeks from June 1 to August 31, 2023. Preference will be given to those who can commit to a second semester in the fall of 2023. Start and end dates are negotiable, as well as flexible time distribution to accommodate the student’s academic schedule and personal commitments. 
  • The internship is fully remote. 
  • The intern will report to Katherine Hasnain, co-chair of the AESS diversity committee as well as a faculty member at their home institution.  The intern will participate in the AESS diversity committee and have access to mentorship from the committee members. 
  • Course credit is available with arrangement with the student’s academic institution. We encourage students to apply for funding from their institution or other sources. In addition, the intern will receive 1-year membership and complimentary registration to the annual AESS Conference.

Duties

The following is a list of possible projects and tasks that the intern can work on; they are neither exhaustive nor imperative. Exact responsibilities are to be negotiated between the supervisor and intern based on the supervisor’s needs and intern abilities. 

Programming 

  • Lead the preparation of a diversity panel at the AESS conference
  • Lead the preparation of a diversity roundtable at the AESS conference
  • Assist with diversity programming at the AESS conference in Portland, July 9-13

Research 

  • Compile resources for teaching environmental justice
  • Gather case studies of DEI programs in environmental studies
  • Research funding opportunities and assist with fundraising
  • Be involved in the planning and execution of a webinar series 

Administrative 

  • Weekly check-in or co-work with the intern supervisor 
  • Attend AESS Diversity Committee monthly meetings 
  • Help create meeting agendas, set up meeting times, take notes, distribute notes, and follow up on action items 

Qualifications

  • The candidate must be enrolled in an undergraduate/graduate program at an accredited higher education institution. International students may apply. 
  • Demonstrated interest in environmental issues and social justice. 
  • Demonstrated experience managing projects and organizing events, especially those relating to environmental and/or DEI issues. 
  • Because this internship is fully remote, it requires a highly motivated person who has the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
  • The individual will ideally be able to attend the in-person AESS conference in Portland, July 9-13. If unable to physically attend, the individual is expected to attend virtually and assist with events remotely. 

Application

Please apply by filling out this Google form. Please apply by May 15, 2023. Final consideration is May 31, 2023. If you have difficulty with the google form, please email cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to Katherine Hasnain <katherinehasnain@gmail.com> and Clara Fang cfang@antioch.edu.

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About AESS

The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) is an independent faculty-and-student-based professional association in higher education, designed to serve the needs of environmental scholars and scientists who value interdisciplinary approaches to research, teaching, and problem-solving.

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