Gordon Research Conference on Industrial Ecology
August 2004
Queens College, Oxford
Student Activities
With a great mix of fun, interesting discussions, and presentations, the week in Oxford was a great opportunity for students to mix and interact with faculty, peers, and some of the founders of IE. The Conference Committee organized many opportunities for students to become better acquainted throughout the conference. These included a volleyball and soccer match, punting, site-seeing and numerous evening trips to the pub.
Poster Contest
Of the 20 posters entered in the student poster competition, two prizes were awarded by the ISIE Student Chapter. The winners were invited to present their work at the main conference session on Thursday evening.
The first place award was given to Jessica Beck from the University of Sydney who presented a poster entitled "The Characterisation and Optimisation of Industrial Networks". The second place award was given to Jeremiah Johnson from Yale University who present a poster entitled "The Contemporary Multilevel Cycle of Silver".
Congratulations to our poster contest winners!
Thanks to our volunteer judges:
- Earl Beaver, Practical Sustainability
- Jun Bi, Nanjing University
- Roland Clift, University of Surrey
- Roberto Schaeffer, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Professional Panel Discussion: IE Careers
During the conference, students and several IE professionals met to discuss IE education and careers. Several of the main discussion points have been outlined for you below.
- A common thread among IE professionals: people have traveled in a non-linear path to where they are in Industrial Ecology, beginning as business managers, engineers, social scientists, and economists
- Current students of Industrial Ecology are in a unique position. While there are programs of study being developed in the field of Industrial Ecology, there are few professional positions being posted with the title of "Industrial Ecologist". IE career paths may not be clearly defined, but there is a great opportunity to bring the principles of Industrial Ecology to many positions and to create a future market of Industrial Ecologists.
- There is tremendous opportunity for growth and influence in developing countries, specifically Asia, to apply principles of industrial ecology. Panelists encouraged students to look into positions in projects in these developing countries.
- Panelists stressed that student collaboration is critical to maintaining the society as well as building community of IE professionals.
Thanks to the following professionals who served as panelists:
Jun Bi from Nanjing University
Michael Brown of Michael Brown and Associates
Marian Chertow of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
Kristan Cockerill of University of New Mexico
Makarand Dehejia of Alliance for Sustainable Industry and Energy
Anthony Shun Fung Chiu of De La Salle University
Miriam Heller of the National Science Foundation
Suzanne Kytzia of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology