Feb 6-7, 2026
Camp Beckwith
near Mobile, Alabama

Registration Open

2026 AESS Pedagogical Research Workshop

This workshop retreat is focused on advancing research in environmental studies and science pedagogy. This will be a product-oriented, two-day workshop.

Who should attend? Faculty who are interested in research related to ESS pedagogy. The workshop will include guided sessions to help participants identify project teams, develop research ideas and craft a path toward a finished product.

Registration Open through Nov 6

The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) is pleased to announce its inaugural workshop retreat focused on advancing research in environmental studies and science pedagogy. This two-day workshop will connect participants with each other to form paper writing teams, each of which will produce a publication under the overarching theme of ESS pedagogy. These papers could be published as either a series or special issue for JESS, AESS’s flagship journal.

Theme: “The State of the Disciplines: Interdisciplinary Environmental and Sustainability Programs”

Interest in environmental and sustainability teaching is growing, as reflected in numerous presentations at the 2025 AESS conference. However, the last comprehensive assessment of environmental studies and science pedagogy was conducted by Vincent (2011), nearly 15 years ago. There is a clear need for an updated, collective reflection on current practices, innovations, and challenges in teaching environmental studies and science. This retreat aims to fill that gap by bringing together active researchers working in this area.

For Participants

Overview

Space is limited to 30 participants.

Location: Beckwith Camp and Retreat Center, just outside Mobile, Alabama, and situated on Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Dates: February 6-7, 2025
Lodging: 

Check-in Thursday, Feb 5th, 4pm

Check-out Sunday, Feb 8th, 9am

Standard motel room with 1 double and 1 single bed plus private bath:

  • $455 per person, single occupancy
  • $365 per person, double occupancy

Premium motel room with 2 queen beds plus private bath:

  • $500 per person, single occupancy
  • $400 per person, double occupancy

Workshop fee includes lodging (check-in Feb 5, check-out Feb 8) and meals Feb 6-7.

Rooms are offered on a space-available basis. Roommates  for double occupancy registrants must be indicated on registration; AESS will not match roommates. Find a roommate.

Transportation: Rideshare to be organized. Enter travel plans.

Retreat center details: Camp Beckwith, 0400 Beckwith Ln, Fairhope, AL 36532

Event registration to open through November 6.

Schedule

Workshop Schedule*

Day 1: Sharing Existing Projects and Identifying Themes

Time Activity
8:00 – 9:00 AM Registration, Coffee & Light Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 AM Welcome & Workshop Overview (Organizers)
9:15 – 12:00 PM Research Presentations – Part I
5–6 min per person + 2 min Q&A
12:00 – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 PM Small Group Feedback Sessions
Breakout groups of ~5 participants
3:00 – 3:15 PM Break
3:15 – 4:30 PM Large Group Reflection & Thematic Mapping
What themes emerge? How might the special issue be structured?
4:30 – 5:00 PM Summary of Day 1 & Preview of Day 2
6:00 PM Dinner
Evening (Optional) Informal Networking Dinner or Group Social Event

Day 2: Collaborative Writing and Special Issue Planning

Time Activity
8:00 – 9:00 AM Coffee & Light Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 AM Day 2 Kickoff & Writing Expectations
9:15 – 12:00 PM Collaborative Writing Session I
Participants work on their manuscripts, either individually or in thematic teams
12:00 – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 PM Collaborative Writing Session II
Continue work, peer review drafts, align themes
2:30 – 3:00 PM Break
3:00 – 4:15 PM Next Steps: Special Issue Strategy
Discuss editorial roles, timelines, formatting requirements, external reviewers, and submission process
4:15 – 5:00 PM Closing Session: Reflections, Commitments, and Final Group Photo
6:00 PM Dinner

*Organizers reserve the right to adjust this schedule as needed and will share out a final draft closer to the event.

Registration

This two-day workshop will connect participants with each other to form paper writing teams, each of which will produce a publication under the overarching theme of ESS pedagogy. These papers could be published as either a series or special issue for JESS, AESS’s flagship journal.

Interest in environmental and sustainability teaching is growing, as reflected in numerous presentations at the 2025 AESS conference. However, the last comprehensive assessment of environmental studies and science curricula and pedagogy was conducted by Vincent (2011), nearly 15 years ago. There is a clear need for an updated, collective reflection on current practices, innovations, and challenges in teaching environmental studies and science.

Register now to advance research in environmental studies and science pedagogy with ESS colleagues.

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FAQs

Main Point of Contact: Dr. David Murphy

Questions: email events@aessonline.org

Who should attend? Faculty who have existing research projects and/or are interested in creating/joining research projects in this thematic area. 

What is the Workshop Format? The two-day workshop will begin with lighting presentations on Day 1, followed by an afternoon session to develop sub-themes and research projects. The second day will offer two writing sessions for teams to organize and develop the research project further.

How Much Is Everything? Workshop fee includes lodging (check-in Feb 5, check-out Feb 8) and meals Feb 6-7. The cost is $500/$400 per participant for a premium single/double occupancy room or $455/$365 for a standard single/double occupancy room.

Where will I sleep? Premium rooms contain 2 queen beds and private bath. Standard rooms contain 1 double bed, 1 single bed and private bath. Linens are provided. Room key and map will be given at check-in.

What’s the meal situation? Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Feb 6 and Feb 7 are included in the cost. Meals are served at 8am, 12pm and 6pm. Dietary requests must be submitted by Jan 1, 2025.

Fine Print

Other Details:

  1. Dietary Requests must be included with registration or emailed to events@aessonline.org by Jan 1, 2025.
  2. The event center is pet-free. Service Animals must be certified. Email events@aessonline.org.
  3. This event is capped at 30 participants total. There are more than 30 rooming options, and a batch of double occupancy rooms will remain in reserve through priority registration deadline of November 6. After Nov 6th, double occupancy rooms will be open for single occupancy registrants.
  4. Registrants who select double occupancy rooms must indicate a roommate match upon registration. AESS will not assign roommates. Changes to this must be communicated to AESS via email to events@aessonline.org.
  5. If a double-occupancy roommate cancels, the remaining occupant will be billed at the single occupancy rate.
  6. Registrants will be emailed by organizers with more details leading up to the event.

Workshop Waiver, Terms & Conditions

1. Acknowledgment of Participation
By registering for and attending this 2-day workshop (“Event”), I acknowledge that my participation is voluntary. I understand that the Event may involve group activities, discussions, or demonstrations, and I agree to participate in a respectful and responsible manner in line with the AESS Code of Conduct.

2. Assumption of Risk & Liability Waiver
I release and hold harmless the Event organizers, Beckwith (“Host”), sponsors, and venue staff (“Organizers”) from any and all liability for injury, illness, loss, or damage to person or property that may occur during or as a result of my participation, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Organizers.

3. Cancellation & Refund Policy

  • Cancellations received 90 days or more prior to the Event start date are eligible for a full refund, minus a $25 processing fee.

  • Cancellations received 45-90 days prior to the Event are eligible for a 50% refund.

  • Cancellations received within 45 days of the Event are not eligible for a refund.

  • Registrations may be transferred to another participant at any time prior to the Event by notifying the Organizers in writing.

4. Event Changes
The Organizers reserve the right to make changes to the Event schedule as necessary. If the Event is canceled by the Host, participants will receive a full refund of registration fees. The Organizers are not responsible for any additional costs incurred (such as travel or incidentals).

5. Media Release (Optional)
I grant the Organizers permission to use photographs, video, or audio recordings of the Event that may include my image or voice, for educational or promotional purposes. If I do not wish to be photographed or recorded, I will notify the Organizers in advance.

6. Site Rules & Conduct
I agree to comply with all site Host rules and policies, which may include but are not limited to:

  • No smoking, vaping, or open flames in or around the venue.

  • No pets or animals (except approved service animals; certification required by Host in advance).

  • Meal times and policies (special needs requests provided in writing to Organizers in advance).

  • Respectful behavior toward all participants, staff, and property.
    The Organizers reserve the right to remove any participant who fails to follow site rules or behaves in a disruptive manner, without refund.

7. Agreement
By registering for the Event, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.