Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors

Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors. Founded in 1963, it is a professional society dedicated to advancing education and research in the fields of environmental engineering and environmental science. The organization serves as a primary forum for academic professionals across North America and globally, fostering collaboration and the exchange of innovative ideas. Its mission centers on enhancing the quality of higher education, promoting rigorous scholarly inquiry, and preparing future leaders to address critical environmental challenges.

History and mission

The organization was established in 1963 by a group of pioneering academics, including prominent figures from institutions like the University of California, Berkeley and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its formation coincided with a growing national awareness of pollution issues, partly spurred by events like the Cuyahoga River fire and the publication of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. The founding mission was to elevate the academic standards and societal impact of environmental engineering, a field historically rooted in sanitary engineering and public health. Over decades, its scope expanded to formally include environmental science, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of solving problems such as water quality management, air pollution control, and hazardous waste remediation. Key to its historical development has been a sustained partnership with related bodies like the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists and the Water Environment Federation.

Organization and governance

Governance is structured around an elected Board of Directors, which includes positions such as the President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer. The board is supported by numerous standing committees focused on areas like education, research, diversity and inclusion, and international activities. Membership is primarily composed of faculty from universities across the United States, Canada, and other nations, with notable clusters of activity at leading schools like Stanford University, the University of Michigan, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. The organization also maintains formal liaisons with major engineering bodies, including the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Science Foundation. Administrative operations are typically managed by an executive director, with the headquarters historically located within the United States.

Activities and programs

A core activity is hosting the annual AEESP Conference, a major scholarly meeting that features presentations on cutting-edge research from institutions like the University of Texas at Austin and McGill University. The organization administers several prestigious awards, including the AEESP Frontier in Research Award and the AEESP Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award. It runs critical programs for educator development, such as workshops on pedagogy and curriculum design, often in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency. Furthermore, it actively promotes undergraduate and graduate education through initiatives like the AEESP Student Design Competition and mentorship programs linking students with professionals from firms like CH2M Hill and agencies like the National Institutes of Health.

Publications and resources

The organization is a co-publisher of the influential academic journal Environmental Engineering Science, produced in partnership with Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.. It also provides comprehensive online resources for educators, including a peer-reviewed lecture notes database and case studies on topics ranging from biofilm reactors to emerging contaminants. The official website hosts position statements on critical issues like climate change mitigation and environmental justice, often referencing frameworks from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. These publications serve as essential references for courses at universities worldwide, from the California Institute of Technology to the Indian Institutes of Technology.

Related organizations

The organization maintains strong synergistic relationships with several key professional and standard-setting bodies. These include the American Society of Civil Engineers and its Environmental and Water Resources Institute, the Air & Waste Management Association, and the International Water Association. It also collaborates closely with government agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation on research funding and policy dialogues. Internationally, it partners with analogous academic groups like the European Federation of National Engineering Associations and the Asia-Pacific Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering Society. These connections ensure alignment with global engineering challenges and educational standards.

Category:Engineering organizations Category:Environmental organizations Category:Scientific organizations