Grenfell Campus's Environmental Policy Institute, in commemoration of its fifth anniversary, came together to tell of the accomplishments of the program and its faculty and graduates.
Five Years in Review is a day-long retrospective event that highlights the interdisciplinary work conducted by the faculty and staff of Environmental Policy Institute as well as the masters of arts in environmental policy students.
Grenfell developed the Environmental Policy Institute in 2012 and its first graduate program, masters of arts in environmental policy, that built on its distinctive multi- and interdisciplinary Grenfell bachelor's degrees including environmental studies, sustainable resource management, environmental science and tourism.
The Environmental Policy Institute has a lot of successes to celebrate.
"The work being accomplished in the institute is important," said Dr. Michele Piercey-Normore, dean, School of Science and the Environment. "The research that takes place here is providing much needed guidance to our industries, our governments and our publics. The opportunities for research and scholarly activity are vital for our grad students as they contribute to the expertise and the body of knowledge being developed through the institute. Indeed, the program addresses directly the need for increased environmental policy capacity provincially, regionally and nationally."
The master of arts in environmental policy (MAEP), which is housed within the Environmental Policy Institute here at Grenfell Campus, has 72 students from 15 countries enrolled. Over the years, graduate student has completed more than 200 research and teaching assistantships. All of the graduate students also complete a mandatory Internship. Over the past 5 years 52 internships have been placed in 9 nations with, close to 30 partners. There is a 90% post-graduate placement rate.
The talented and diverse researchers and graduate students have generated 65 research projects with 60 partners. More than $2.2 million in funding has been generated, where our researchers are the principal leads, and another $21 million in projects where they are a co-lead.
"As a former director and current faculty member, I am excited to share our accomplishments," said Dr. Mike van Zyll de Jong. "Our program is thriving, our research is exciting and relevant and our students are flourishing in industry and in the pursuit of further education. As we look to the coming years, we do so with a pride in how far we've come and with a confidence that we will continue to offer excellence in research, teaching and learning and engagement as it relates to society's environmental policy issues."
Five Years in Review to be showcased:
• Completed and ongoing research of EPI faculty and staff research and MAEP student research. Some of the areas of research include risk governance, resource management, human dimensions, community development and Indigenous research. Research partnerships have been established both locally: provincial government, private companies and not-for-profit agencies, and from around the world: international universities and government.
• MAEP internship program. Students have benefitted from internships in municipal, provincial, federal government; Indigenous groups; tourism, resource management and environmental not-for profits; and industry and agencies.
• Student participation in various policy competitions. Students have worked to develop policies that meet the identified needs including wetland development, economic development, emission reduction, green tourism , climate change and resource management.
Photo caption: Sean Manners, gradute student representative and MAEP student representative
