Dear Environmental Studies Students:
Congratulations on wrapping up this academic year! And, especially, congratulations to all of our graduating seniors! As we head into summer, we wanted to send out a few announcements.
First, please take note of the two new ESP courses that will be offered next year, the descriptions are found below. In the fall, Professor Mike Barnett will offer Integrated Science Research, Community Service, and Environmental Social Justice, and in the spring Elizabeth Tov will offer Animals and Society.
Second, this summer I will be working in the office several hours a week and am available to answer any questions about courses and requirements for the minor that you may have. My office hours are M 1-5pm, W 1-5pm, and F 1-3pm, in Devlin 213. Please feel free to stop by the office, email me at this address, or call 617-552-2477 if you have any questions. ESP Director Noah Snyder is also available all summer; email noah.snyder@bc.edu if you have questions or want to set up an appointment.
I will send out announcements a few times during the summer. You can also check the ESP blog for archived announcements and other information.
ESP News and Events
1. New ESP Course Offerings for Fall 2013 and Spring 2014
2. New England Campus Sustainability Forum’s Student Grant Competition
Internship Opportunities, Travel Opportunities and Graduate School Presentations
1. Summer Training Opportunities for Researchers in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies
2. Internships with EnergySage
3. Study in Belize Next Winter
4. Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
5. Green Corps Environmental Training Program
6. Environment Massachusetts
Best,
Kevin
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B. Kevin Brown
Graduate Assistant, Environmental Studies
617-552-2477
Devlin 213
Office Hours, Summer 2013: Monday 1:00-5:00pm, Wednesday 1:00-500pm, Friday 1:00-3:00pm
Fall 2013, ED 550/GE 275
Integrated Science Research, Community Service, and Environmental Social Justice -- This course is designed for environmental studies minors, secondary science teachers, or those who are interested in learning more about conducting scientific research. A key feature of this course will be the engagement in the design and development of research projects around air quality, hydroponics, and alternative energies. Embedded in each project will be the need to learn how to power and utilize alternative energy systems to maintain and sustain the equipment needed for each research project
Spring 2014, SC 360
Animals and Society -- This course will consider the significance and social implications of the roles of animals in human societies. Employing a sociological lens, we will examine human-animal interactions in historical context, and investigate contemporary social constructions of animals and the human/animal boundary. We will consider a range of human-animal interactions, both institutionalized and informal, including the use of animals in commerce (e.g., food, clothing materials, work, entertainment), scientific research, and pet-keeping, as well as the consequences of such practices on human society. We will also examine the link between animal cruelty and human-on-human violence, and how the use and abuse of animals in society may reflect or even contribute to systems of oppression and inequality, such as racism, sexism, and class privilege. Finally, this course will explore shifting societal attitudes, norms, and practices toward animals, and interrogate the potential causes and consequences of these changes.
The 2013 New England Campus Sustainability Forum is pleased to announce a competition for funding to support student initiatives for campus sustainability. Mini-grants (up to $1000 for each project) are available to student-run groups at colleges and universities in the New England region. Student groups at under-resourced institutions (URIs), minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and ACUPCC signatory institutions are strong encouraged to apply!
Possible grant activities include:
- A project that will promote and/or improve sustainability efforts on campus
- Guest speakers series on sustainability/climate issues
- Visit or host workshop with other campuses to replicate and implement successful campus sustainability practices/models
- Other (propose your own project!)
The eligible projects must:
- Be proposed by a student-run group at a college or university located in New England
- Promote or raise awareness on campus sustainability efforts
We are writing to announce training opportunities for researchers in natural resources and environmental studies.
The ICPSR Summer Program offers over 80 distinct training courses for researchers across the behavioral, social, and medical sciences. Many of the topics in our courses on quantitative methods and statistics that are of special interest to researchers in natural resources and environmental studies include:
- introductions to probability theory, statistics, and data analysis
- regression and linear models
- panel data analysis
- mixed methods
- causal inference
- time series analysis
- maximum likelihood estimation
- field experiments
- missing data
- introductions to R, Stata, SPSS, SAS, and LaTeX
- and many more!
Introduction to Spatial Regression Analysis (Chapel Hill, NC)
Designing, Conducting, and Analyzing Field Experiments (New York, NY)
The 2013 ICPSR Summer Program will include over 80 courses. To view a full listing of course offerings please visit our website: 2013 Course Schedule. In addition, in order to facilitate attendance in the 2013 Summer Program, we are offering two special discounts:
A 15% discount on total registration fees when an individual registers for two or more short (i.e., two- to five-day) statistical or fee-charging substantive workshops. Please note that this offer does not apply to sponsored substantive workshops (in which participant fees are covered by the course sponsor).
A 15% discount on registration fees for returning Summer Program participants. This discount applies to both four-week sessions and the two- to five-day fee-carrying workshops.
The ICPSR Summer Program in Quantitative Methods of Social Research is recognized throughout the world as the leading resource for basic and advanced training in the methodologies and technologies of social science research. ICPSR serves a diverse multidisciplinary and international constituency. Its general instructional philosophy emphasizes the integration of methods of quantitative analysis within a broader context of substantive social research. The ICPSR Summer Program also creates a unique and supportive social environment that facilitates professional networking and encourages the exchange of ideas about the theory and practice of social science research. Lectures and workshops on a wide variety of topics in research design, quantitative reasoning, statistical methods, and data processing are presented in two four‑week sessions. The first session runs from June 24, 2013 until July 19, 2013. The second session runs from July 22, 2013 until August 16, 2013. The 2013 ICPSR Summer Program will also offer a number of three‑ to five‑day workshops on both statistical and substantive topics throughout the summer. Most of these shorter workshops take place in Ann Arbor, but there are several that will be held in other locations: Amherst, MA; Berkeley, CA; Bloomington, IN; Boulder, CO; Chapel Hill, NC; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and New York, NY.
We hope to see you at the 2013 ICPSR Summer Program!
As a start-up we operate in a very fluid environment so responsibilities can shift based on the day to day needs of the business. That being said, we also are able sometimes to shift responsibilities based on the skills that interns bring to the table (the upside of resource constraints!). In general, we are looking for smart, enthusiastic interns with decent writing skills, a working knowledge of clean energy and environmental issues and the ability to grasp that we are coming at this issue from a slightly different angle, emphasizing the investment aspects and economic benefits in addition to the environmental ones.
BLOGGING INTERNS (unpaid)
Job Description:Blogger. Interns will work closely with VP of Corp. Comm and other members of the EnergySage executive team to determine and research topics and develop and promote content for our blog. Topics will be related to clean energy in general, the financial benefits of adopting clean energy, the environmental benefits of clean energy, useful information about determining what clean energy is most appropriate for home and business owners, topics related to the purchase process, etc. EnergySage is very cognizant that this should be a mutually beneficial relationship and is committed to providing opportunities that will build experience / skills.
Qualifications:EnergySage is seeking 2 interns with exceptional writing skills to assist with our blogging efforts. Applicants should have a basic understanding of and interest in clean energy and personal finance as well as knowledge / skills related to blogging. Knowledge of WordPress is useful, but not required
SOCIAL MEDIA INTERNS (unpaid)
*Job Description: the social media intern(s) will support all of EnergySage's social media activities including, but not limited to, sourcing content to share, creating content, posting content, "participating in the online conversation" about topics related to EnergySage's business / interest, tracking and measuring the success of our social media efforts, etc. EnergySage is very cognizant that this should be a mutually beneficial relationship and is committed to providing opportunities that will build experience / skills.
Qualifications: candidates will have a working knowledge of the main social media channels, knowledge of how to communicate via social media, an understanding of / interest in clean energy and / or personal finance.
About EnergySage
EnergySage.com simplifies the shopping process for solar and other clean energy technologies by creating an informative, transparent marketplace for homeowners, businesses and non-profits. Our free suite of educational, analytical, and shopping tools -- all in one convenient, easy to use website -- help consumers determine suitable clean energy solutions and confidently proceed with installing solar, wind, geothermal or other technologies at their home, business or non-profit. Consumers can learn about clean technologies and their financial and environmental benefits; they can shop using our automated Marketplace, which provides a simple, transparent, empowering comparison-shopping experience; and they can share their knowledge and experience with others who are looking to make similar switch to clean and renewable energy. EnergySage.com helps manufacturers, installers, builders, financiers and other professionals by increasing consumer awareness, knowledge and demand for their services. By growing the market, we help the industry by driving sales and profits and reducing customer acquisition costs and sales cycle times. EnergySage: Learn. Shop. Share. www.energysage.com. EnergySage.com is operated by Distributed Energy Research & Solutions, Inc.
Are you searching for an opportunity to put your studies in environmental science or ecology to work in a field setting? The Institute for Sustainable International Studies, ISIS, is offering ecology field courses in Belize that offer you a chance to study in the tropical English-speaking setting of Belize and gain valuable professional and personal experience. Belize’s rich environment, cultures and biodiversity are the labs for these courses. About 40% of the land and sea areas of Belize are set aside in protected areas, parks or reserves to protect its diverse flora and fauna.
One student summarized his experience by saying: “The field trips were the best in the Marine Ecology class. Nothing like getting outside and experiencing first hand and being able to converse with the locals! I learned a lot about the environments and problems in Belize and its culture and customs.”
For the syllabi and course itineraries, click on the links below:
Our two week winter session runs from December 26, 2013 to January 7, 2014, including travel days. The cost, $2,995, includes one course, accommodations, transportation to and from the airport, field trips and excursions, breakfasts and one transcript for transferring credit. Airfare is not included. Students receive three (3) credits from Sacred Heart College. The application deadline for winter is October 1st. Our 2014 summer sessions run in June and July. There are two week and four week programs for $2,675 and $4,225. The application deadline is March 1st for summer 2014. Application forms are available on the ISIS website.
The syllabus for each course is available on the ISIS website, www.isisbelize.com, or by clicking the link above. Cynthia Reece, creece@isisbelize.com, the Program Manager for ISIS, can respond to questions related to housing, logistics, course costs, and other details.
The MA DOER Internship Programs seeks to provide interns with exciting opportunities to assist DOER with implementing energy policies in areas such as renewables, energy efficiency, alternative transportation, energy markets, and more. The program is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, law school students, and other individuals who are seeking experience in the energy arena.
For more information visit: http://www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/guidance-technical-assistance/agencies-and-divisions/doer/doer-intern-program.html
Green Corps is looking for college graduates who are ready to take on the biggest environmental challenges of our day.
In Green Corps’ year-long paid program, you’ll get intensive training in the skills you’ll need to make a difference in the world. You’ll get hands-on experience fighting to solve urgent environmental problems — global warming, deforestation, water pollution and many others — with groups such as Sierra Club and Food and Water Watch. And, when you graduate from Green Corps, we’ll help you find a career with one of the nation’s leading environmental and social change groups.
For more information, read below or visit our web site: www.greencorps.org.
Green Corps
44 Winter St, 4th Fl
Boston, MA
02108
617 747 4302
Environment Massachusetts has a number of internship opportunities posted on their website. For more information, please visit http://environmentmassachusetts.org/page/jobs or contact Alison Giest, Environment Massachusetts, New England Federal Field Associate, at agiest@environmentmassachusetts.org or 813-215-3604.
