Professional bodies, and organisations of relevance to Earth , Geography and Environmental students There are many professional associations and bodies of potential interest to GEES students. This list is NOT comprehensive and does NOT promote membership of one organisation over any other. There are many other organisations you may consider joining. You may find it helpful to discuss the benefits with your personal tutor before subscribing.

What are the benefits of joining a professional body?

• Gives you access to new funding streams • Provides you with an insight into current • Gives you many networking opportunities research, new approaches and • Opens many opportunities for research developments related to your discipline and potential employment • Looks good on your CV!

Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) is promoted as the largest professional membership body for the environment with over 15,000 members working across all industry sectors. Benefits of membership include: Regional and National Events, Publications, Workshops, Surveys and Consultations, full access to IEMA Website resources, EFAEP & European Network of Environmental Professionals. Resources include skills maps and guidance about developing your environmental career. Access IEMA at: www.iema.net Student membership is available for £50 p/a.

Society of Environmental Engineers (SEE) is a professional which exists to promote awareness of the discipline of environmental engineering, and to provide members of the Society with information, training and representation within this field. Environmental engineering is concerned with the measurement, modelling, control and simulation of all types of environment. It is an interdisciplinary subject, bringing together aspects of mechanical, electrical, electronic, aeronautical, civil, energy and chemical engineering. It also draws from the fields of physics, acoustics, metallurgy, microbiology, pharmacy and many other technical and scientific disciplines. Membership benefits include mentoring, publications such as the society journal and networking opportunities. Access SEE at: www.environmental.org.uk There are NO bursaries available. Student membership is available for £10 p/a

International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) is a non-profit, member-driven association for professionals who are committed to making sustainability standard practice. Members share resources and best practices, and develop themselves professionally. Special reports, salary surveys, and the knowledge competency study are just a sampling of the rich content offered members. The ISSP promotes itself as the premier global professional association supporting sustainability practitioners for research, resources, professional development and networking. Access IEES at: www.sustainabilityprofessionals.org Student membership is available for $75(US) p/a

Staff from the School of Earth Sciences emphasize that, in addition to considering becoming a Junior Associate of bodies such as The Geology Society (http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/apply), students may also wish to consider joining regional groups, to help them obtain experience during vacations. Examples provided include the Geologists Association local group (http://www.geologistsassociation.org.uk/) and the Black Country Geological Society (http://www.bcgs.info/).

Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) believes the application of the scientific principle deepens our understanding of the natural environment and sustainable development. Committed to excellence, the IES exists to serve its members and the public, and constantly seeks innovation and excellence in the services it provides. Membership benefits include: Quarterly journal, The Environmental ; Regional and national events; Access to restricted resources on the website; Chance to apply for Chartered Scientist and Chartered Environmentalist; Recognition of professional status; CPD recording tools; Use of post-nominal letters; Access to the European Network of Environmental Professionals. Access IES at: www.ies-uk.org.uk Student membership and affiliate membership rates of £10 p/a are available.

The British Ecological Society (BES) states that “the vision of the British Ecological Society is to advance ecology and make it count.” Membership benefits include: reduced price registration for all BES run and sponsored meetings (BES Student members are entitled to further discounts); member-only -fenced grants; the Bulletin newsletter, keeping you up to date with the ecological community; networking opportunities; member-only discounts from leading scientific publishers; monthly eBulletins giving. Access BES at: http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/ Student membership is available for £20 p/a

Institution of Sustainability Professionals - student membership is £10 to get magazine, etc. It is generalist and targets non-specialists. Also includes approx 10% overseas opportunities.

The Royal Geographical Society (www.rgs.org) is the learned society & professional body for geography & geographers. It supports research, education, expeditions and fieldwork, and promotes public engagement and informed enjoyment of our world. It is a well-regarded source of careers information for Geography students, opportunities to network and can help with future funding.

Other organisations – Note that this list is not comprehensive - most of these are UK-based, but there are many other international bodies. Also, be aware that some organisations offer free sources of information, whilst others require payment of a membership fee:

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Marine Conservation Society Association for Environment Conscious Building Mineralogical Society Bicycology National Council for Geographic Education British Geological Survey National Council for the Social Studies British Society of Soil Science National Geographic Society British Cartographic Society Natural England Campaign for Better Transport National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Campaign for National Parks (CNP) Natural Beauty Campaign to Protect Rural England People & Planet Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) Royal Society Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Royal Meteorological Society Management (CIWEM) Royal Scottish Geographical Society Countryside Council for Wales RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Creative Environmental Networks (CEN) Royal Town Planning Institute Department for Environmental Food and Rural Scottish Environment Protection Agency Affairs Scottish Meteorological Society English Heritage Scottish Natural Heritage Environment Agency Scottish Wildlife Trust Environmental Investigation Agency Society of Cartographers Environmental Justice Foundation Society of Woman Geographers Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) The Civic Trust Environmental Protection UK The Corner House Field Studies Council The Geology Society Forest Peoples Programme The Micropalaeonology Society Geographical Society of Ireland The Palaeontological Association Green Alliance The Wildlife Trusts Groundwork UK Town and Country Planning Association Historic Scotland Tyndall Centre Institute of Ecology and Environmental UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA) Management Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) Woodland Trust International Union for Conservation of Nature World Land Trust John Muir Trust

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