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Sustainable Design Opportunities & Events

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  • 2020 Illinois Climate Action Plan

    In June 2020, iSEE (INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABILITY, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT) released the first draft of the 2020 Illinois Climate Action Plan! Read the draft here! >>>

  • 2021 - 2022 Rachel Carson Council Fellowship Program

    The RCC Fellowship Program is designed to identify outstanding students with a passion for environmental education, organizing and advocacy and provide them with financial support to carry out valuable projects or campaigns on behalf of the RCC. As a part of the program, students propose projects focused on sustainability and environmental justice that they wish to carry out on their campus or in their community. If accepted into the program, students will be supported over the course of the school year with mentorship from RCC staff and be given the opportunity to publish writings about their work. RCC Fellows receive a $2,000 stipend for their work during the academic year and attend a 2–3-day summer training program with their cohort hosted by RCC staff to sharpen their writing, advocacy and organizing skills. RCC Fellows will also develop critical contacts and experience, joining an RCC alumni network as they look forward to careers as engaged environmental leaders. The application deadline is April 30th.

     

  • 3DS Social Innovation

    3DS Social Innovation at the University of Illinois October 23-25, 2020

    Join us for a 3 day immersive virtual entrepreneurship education experience focused on social and environmental impact!

    • Gain inspiration to be a changemaker

    • Learn practical entrepreneurial skills

    • Build an innovative social venture

    • Network with students across campus

    • Access valuable resources and professional mentorship

    • Pitch for cash prizes to seed the growth of a social venture

    FREE and open to ALL majors and levels 

    For more information and to apply, visit illinois.3daystartup.org

    Application deadline: October 16 by 5 pm.

    Sponsored by Origin Ventures Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership

  • 45 Sustainability Resources to Know

    This resource center features 45 noteworthy resources on sustainability, with sections on Green Living, Climate Change and Environmental Protection News, Energy and Technology, Sustainability in Business and Government, Sustainability Careers, Sustainability and the Arts, and Ecotourism.

  • 5 sustainable packaging developments to watch in 2021

    Enjoy this article from GreenBiz, published January 4, 2021!

     

  • euronews

    6 Most In-Demand Jobs for a Greener Future

    Article: “6 Most In-Demand Jobs for a Greener Future”

    Learn more about Urban Growers, Green Builders, Biogas (renewable fuel), hydropower, clean transport, and circular economy jobs in this article by Euronews.com

  • Sietu

    73 Stains: Sweet Potatoes, Sustenance & Sustainability

    Ken Jones looks at food, sustainability and visual art at the intersection of self-care and the Beloved community. Jones will delve into artistic responses to the environment, specifically how African American artists continue to shape and sustain their well-being. We will have the opportunity to learn more about Jones’s multidisciplinary practice and virtually visit his studio. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14TH, 2021. 5:30pm CDT Register here.

     

  • Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals: NGO and Community Engagement in Asia

    Panelists will discuss how their organizations engage with local communities and disadvantaged groups to build a more sustainable future. The session is free to register and designed for international educators regardless of background in the topic area. Due to a participant limit of 100 attendees, we encourage you to register today: Register Here!

    This panel is in conjunction with the Global Learning Collective's Virtual Familiarization Week which includes a series of interactive discussions designed to introduce international educators to sustainability initiatives in each of the Collective’s global regions. Other session topics include Environmental Justice in Africa (EDU Africa), Social Responsibility and Sustainability in Europe (CEPA) and Green Energy Solutions in South America (Campus B).

  • A Conversation with "The Sixth Extinction" Author Elizabeth Kolbert.

    Join Powell's Books for an online conversation with Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Kolbert as she discusses her latest book with author Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org. In "Under a White Sky," Kolbert asks, "After doing so much damage, can we change nature, this time to save it?" She visits with scientists trying to preserve the world's rarest fish, a lava field where engineers are turning carbon emissions to stone, and an Australian aquarium where researchers are trying to develop "super coral."7 p.m. | Tuesday, Feb. 9 | Register for Zoom webinar

  • AIGA, the professional association for design, newsletter sign-up

    Sign up for an email newsletter to be the first to know about AIGA (the professional association for design) updates and communications, including Design Jobs listings and volunteer opportunities.

     

  • Algae-Based Bioplastics Talk.

    Chemistry Professor Mark Crocker, Associate Director of the Center for Applied Energy Research at the University of Kentucky, will explore the potential for algae-based bioplastics such as foam and food packaging in his talk, "Beneficial Re-use of Industrial CO2 Emissions Using Microalgae."Noon-1 p.m. | Thursday, Feb. 11 | Register

     

  • Chicago Design Office Methadone Clinic 2020

    Aneesha Dharwadker (SD faculty committee member): “Architecture for Social Progress”

    Aneesha Dharwadker is an educator and design practitioner and the founder of Chicago Design Office and editor of Transect, a journal of design criticism. She joined the School of Architecture as an assistant professor in 2018. From 2016-18, she was a Designer-in-Residence in the Department of Landscape Architecture. She serves on the Sustainable Design faculty committee and contributed to the development of the new courses and major. Register here for the lecture.

  • Application Open for FAA Ambassadors!

    Are you interested in helping the College of Fine + Applied recruit the next class and engaging with alumni at events?  The FAA Ambassador Program was founded with the goal of cultivating public relations and leadership skills in current students, while offering a unique perspective of the college to prospective students, alumni, and donors.  FAA Ambassadors are a diverse group of enthusiastic, dynamic individuals who have a strong desire to represent their college and university to prospective students, and to elevate the alumni/donor experience.  FAA Ambassadors are able expected to participate in at least 4 activities during a school year as their schedule permits.  Activities include event logistics/planning, interacting with prospective students or alumni at events.  For this fall our ambassadors will participate in virtual student panels & presentations.  Once, our campus opens up ambassadors also help with mailings, tours, on-campus events, etc.  FAA Ambassadors develop recruitment, public relations, fundraising, networking, teambuilding, and event planning skills.  Best of all, ambassadors have fun and make long-lasting friendships.  Please apply by Thursday, September 10 at http://go.illinois.edu/FAAAmbassadorApp   For more information, please contact Kristi Martin-Hoss, Associate Director for Recruitment, at kmartin2@illinois.edu

  • Apply for a Summer 2021 Project Team with the Community-Academic Scholars Initiative

    This initiative matches undergraduates with a faculty mentor and a community partner to address issues affecting our community. This year’s program includes 14 powerful projects from faculty across the University of Illinois that address a range of topics, including the impacts of COVID-19, poverty and social inequality, physical activity, and the role that forest preserves play in community and individual health.

     

  • Sustainability

    Apply for SSC funding, available for student-led projects

    Student-led projects with a budget of less than $10,000 are eligible for expedited review. All SSC projects must make a substantial impact on students. This may be a direct impact or an impact through education and engagement. All SSC funding is 100% from student green fees, so the projects funded by the students must benefit them. SSC encourages innovation and new technologies – creative projects are encouraged to apply.

     

  • iSEE

    Apply for Sustainability Internships!

    Are you an Illinois student interested in promoting sustainability? iSEE has several internships opening up for 2021-22, including one to help develop the next generation of a sustainability training video for the campus (graduate student preferred); multiple positions to support iSEE programs and the campus sustainability mission; and on the Communications team (sophomore or junior preferred).

     

  • Apply for the SPIN AY 2020-21 internships at NCSA

    Apply for the SPIN AY 2020-21 internships at NCSA. The application deadline is June 1st.

    NCSA has a history of nurturing innovative concepts, and some of the best ideas have come from highly motivated, creative undergraduate students. The Students Pushing Innovation (SPIN) internship program was launched to provide University of Illinois undergraduates with the opportunity to participate in hands-on research and contribute to interdisciplinary projects covering focused research areas in Culture and Society, Earth and Environment, Bioinformatics and Health Sciences, Material and Manufacturing, Data and Computational Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, and Digital Agriculture. The SPIN program is now accepting applicants for the 2020-2021 academic year. To apply, please visit our website, spin.ncsa.illinois.edu, and click on the “Mentors” tab to learn about the SPIN projects, and then click on the “Apply” tab. The application deadline is June 1, 2020.

    SPIN Academic Year 2020-21 program details:

    Program dates: August 24, 2020 – May 5, 2021 (Fall and Spring semesters)

    Work 5 hours/week for 16 weeks each semester

    SPIN interns earn $12.50 per hour and are paid as Undergraduate Hourly employees

    Any UIUC undergraduate student in good academic standing and enrolled in 12 credit hours each semester

    No restriction on year of study or major

    International students are eligible

  • Apply to be a UIUC Orientation Leader by Nov 23

    The OL position is designed to offer students the opportunity to implement orientation programming for new students, transfer students, and family members. Orientation Leaders can work summer and fall programming or just fall. $12/hour. Apply at https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/1878133082.html

     

     

  • Architecture as a Social Act lecture

    Tatiana Bilbao received the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture Prize by the LOCUS Foundation in 2014 and will share her work integrating social values, collaboration and sensitive design approaches to architectural work. Monday February 1 from 5:00 – 6:30pm. Register in advance to attend.

  • Architecture BUILDING PERFORMANCE SYMPOSIUM

    Illinois School of Architecture 2020 BUILDING PERFORMANCE SYMPOSIUM

    MARCH 27TH, 2020 1:00pm Plym Auditorium, Temple Buell Hall

    Organized by the Building Performance Program at the Illinois School of Architecture, this symposium brings together leaders in architecture, engineering, and construction to discuss the questions: What are the issues, challenges, and opportunities that will define the role of technology in architectural design and construction in the future? What does the future of building technology look like to you? How will these developments impact what we design and how we design it?

  • Architecture Career Expo

    Illinois School of Architecture

    CAREER XPO

    FEBRUARY 27TH, 2020

    8:00am

    iHotel Conference Center

  • Architecture of the Food System

    “Architecture of the Food System” lecture

    Caitlin Taylor is an architect with a background in agriculture and an interdisciplinary focus on environmental, economic, and social justice in the food system. Taylor has led an independent practice focused on water infrastructure. In this capacity, she was recipient of the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction Gold Prize for her work on urban flood control in Las Vegas. Taylor also lives with her family in Connecticut, where they own and operate an organic vegetable and cut flower farm.

    Register here.

  • Are you interested in serving on a Senate committee?

    Are you interested in serving on a Senate committee?

     

    The Senate of the Urbana-Champaign Campus is a legislative body composed of about 200 faculty, 50 students, and ten academic professional members.

     

    The Senate Committee on Committees is working to fill committee vacancies. If you are interested in filling any of the vacancies listed below, please email: senate@illinois.edu with your interest.

     

    Educational Policy –1 student

    Information Technology – 1 student

    General Education Board – 1 student

     

    Learn more about the committees at https://www.senate.illinois.edu/committees.asp.

  • BAILEY GLOBAL SCHOLARS

    A 7-month program designed to help University of Illinois students grow as responsible and engaged global citizens by supporting critical reflection, dialogue, and action across differences of culture and power. Bailey Global Scholars will participate in an online "Education through Global Engagement" program during the Spring 2021 semester culminating in a volunteer immersion (virtual or in person) capstone experience during Summer 2021. Participants will receive a $1000 scholarship for Spring '21. Applications accepted October 5 - November 8.

  • BAILEY UNPAID INTERNSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

    Offers academic scholarships to undergraduate students at the Univ of IL who will complete an unpaid internship with a public service agency or not-for profit organization. Awards are $1,000 for a part-time internship or $2,500 for a full-time internship and are given directly to the student. Apply for Spring 2021. Applications accepted October 5 - November 8. 

     

  • Bates Scholarship Fund for FAA Continuing Student Success

    The College of FAA has scholarship funding available to assist FAA students in good standing who encounter an unforeseen financial need which would otherwise prevent them from continuing their education at UIUC.  These funds are awarded based on unforeseen financial circumstances and are not meant to simply supplement a student’s education funding.   The maximum award is $1,000. Deadline is Monday, February 8, 2021.

  • Bates Scholarship Fund for FAA Continuing Student Success

    The College of Fine + Applied Arts has scholarship funding available to assist FAA students in good standing who encounter an unforeseen financial need which would otherwise prevent them from continuing their education at UIUC.  These funds are awarded based on unforeseen financial circumstances and are not meant to simply supplement a student’s education funding.   The maximum award is $1,000. Deadline is Wed, September 9. https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/2900922

  • Bridging Climate Science & Design Education talk, AIGA Professional Association for Design conference

    GD Associate Professor Eric Benson will be joining three other design faculty from across the country Mon 11/9 at 5 ET to discuss climate science in the design classroom at the AIGA | the professional association for design

    2020 Conference! There is a fee to attend the professional conference.

     

  • Buildings Don’t Need to Kill Birds: A conservation issue where anyone can make a difference

    Join this lecture from the Dept of Landscape Architecture on Monday, October 12, 5:30pm-6:30pm Central Time. Dr. Christine Sheppard (Ph.D., Cornell) is director of the Birds Collisions Campaign at the American Bird Conservancy and emeritus Curator of Birds at the Bronx Zoo, where she served from 1978 to 2009. Sheppard has conducted extensive research on modern structures and glass as lethal dangers to birds and ways to mitigate that problem through design. This lecture will take place online on Zoom, RSVP to receive the zoom link here.

  • Building Stuff: Materials From the Earth That Sustain Our Built Environment

    Building Stuff: Materials From the Earth That Sustain Our Built Environment

    Concrete in sidewalks, brick in buildings, and glass in windows are derived from rocks and sediments, but use of these materials comes at an environmental cost. Join Professor Emeritus Stephen Marshak, former Director of the School of Earth, Society and Environment, as he kicks off his three-part lecture series, "Where Stuff Comes From: Earth's Resources & Sustainability." 

    September 29, 12–1 pm • Zoom | Password 758636

    Julie Wurth Asmussen • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

  • CABBI Offers New Summer Internship!

    A new research opportunity for undergraduates interested in a STEM career will launch this summer at the Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). The Research Internship in Sustainable Bioenergy (RISE) is a 10-week summer program designed to provide research and career development opportunities to undergraduates from groups underrepresented in STEM fields. Students will be paired with a mentor, attend seminars, and present their work. $4,800 stipend; application deadline is April 23

  • Call for Artists

    The School of Social Work is currently seeking qualified artists to submit proposals for an art series, which will be displayed in the Social Work building. This opportunity is open to students, artists in the C-U community, or artists with ties to UIUC. This series will contain works of art to recognize the need for discussions surrounding the complexities of racial and social justice.

  • Career Center Workshops

    Effective Networking- Tuesday, January 19, 3-4 p.m. (Zoom)Students may register at https://go.illinois.edu/effectivenetworking1

    Creating Your Powerful Resume- Wednesday, January 20, 5-6 p.m. (Zoom)Students may register at https://go.illinois.edu/PowerfulResume1

    The Job Search Process- Thursday, January 21, 5-6 p.m. (Zoom)Students may register at https://go.illinois.edu/jobsearchprocess1

  • Careers in Design panels with Alumni and Professionals in the Field

    Four panels between 10am and 4pm on Fri Nov 13th on the following topics: The Future of Design (10-11am), Diverse fields of Design from 1-2pm (service design, design thinking, game design, finish material design, etc.), Differing Paths of Employment from 2-3 (freelance, agency, inhouse, etc.), and What Employers are Looking for in Emerging Talent from 3-4pm.

  • Careers in Sustainability Panel

    View the link for the panel recording from early April 2021 which includes a list of weblink resources shared during the panel. 

  • Cash Prizes for Student Writers!

    iSEE's Janelle Joseph Prize for Environmental Writing gives Illinois undergraduates a chance to have their work published in Q Magazine and earn cash awards! The grand prize is $1,000, and $500 prizes will be awarded in four categories. Open to students in any major. Submissions accepted July 1-Oct. 15 | Questions? Email qmagazineillinois@gmail.com.

  • CEAPS Brown Bag - Sean Kennedy “Renewable energy and the challenges of land use in Southeast Asia: a comparative analysis of Indonesia and the Philippines”

    Sept 17 3-4:30pm

    Registration: Register to receive link and password to join on Zoom

    The Association of Southeast Asian Nations aims to quadruple its installed renewable energy capacity by 2025. Southeast Asia has abundant renewable energy resources – including solar, wind, and geothermal – yet difficulties in acquiring land pose significant barriers to project development. This study compares and contrasts the processes of land acquisition and potential implications for local land uses and livelihoods associated with two large-scale wind projects in Indonesia and the Philippines. The findings support policy recommendations that respond to energy challenges in a way that attends to the specificity of local political-ecological contexts and broader climate and development goals.

    Dr. Sean Kennedy is Assistant Professor in the Department Urban and Regional Planning

  • CEOS Mini-Talks on the Economics of Sustainability

    Please join the Center for the Economics of Sustainability (CEOS) for its 2nd Mini-Talks webinar! Talks will focus on organic famland, conservation tillage, food waste, and consumer preferences with regards to local brewing and local hops. Register by November 30. Event is December 2, 12–1 PM.

  • Certificate in Environmental Writing (3 courses)

    The Undergraduate Certificate in Environmental Writing (CEW) is a fantastic offering for Illinois students wanting to engage with the latest research in sustainability science — and to build their skills in environmental communication. Complete 3 courses to earn the UIUC certificate.

  • Chicago River Architecture Virtual Boat Tour

    Tour guide Hillary Marzec improvises this popular river tour series, starting from the point that most tourists see — the Chicago River architecture boat tour view — and then venturing beyond the boat to show you not only some amazing interiors of well-known river tour buildings, but also some street-level details that you would surely miss if you were limited to a boat tour.This program will take place on Zoom. Use this link to join at the time of the event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88158141140

  • Clare Bass

    Circular Economy & Design interactive workshop

    A workshop w/Clare Brass, Friday March 5 9am-12noon. Email nicturn@illinois.edu asap to be added. In this interactive session, Clare will explain more about circular economy principles and share osme of the tools she has creted and used to transition to being a 'better' designer. School of Art + Design ID Workshop Series.

  • Climate Activism for the Graphic Designer 101 by Professor Eric Benson

  • Climate Advocacy Training

    10 a.m.-Noon | Saturday, April 17 Join a free Climate Advocacy Training & Group Start led by Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL), a nonpartisan volunteer group focused on national policies to address climate change. CCL trainers will teach techniques to use in lobbying Congress and building public political will for climate action! CCL focuses on shared values rather than partisan divides to achieve sustainable climate solutions!| Register

  • Climate Designer podcast launched by Prof Eric Benson

    Eric Benson, along with Kristian Bjornard and Marc O’Brien, created the podcast Behind the Syllabus as a way to share their journey with one another as they implemented new climate-focused projects and procedures during the spring 2020 semester. Includes examples of spring 2020 student work.

  • Climate Designers Midwest Chapter Trivia Night!

    Thu, April 29, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Prof. Benson encourages SD students to attend this fun event for networking and prizes! You must RSVP ahead of time to attend. Teams will be randomly assigned so students can network with regional design professionals who are interested in or dedicated to lighting the climate crisis through design!

  • Climate Designers monthly virtual meetup

    Event is put on by CUDO (Champaign Urbana Design Org) for designers pushing climate action in their work, a.k.a climate designers

    Professor Eric Benson has invited you all to join this event

    Monday evenings, once a month. Full schedule and more info at https://www.climatedesigners.org/events

  • Party

    Climate Designers.org Party Program

    No more boring sustainability conferences. No more design conferences that have one sustainability break-out session. We are done choosing sustainability as a track. We are upping the fun factor on designing change. We are Climate Designers. March 1-12, 2021. Prof. Eric Benson’s workshop.

  • Flyer

    Climate Justice Lecture Series

    “Climate Vulnerability in Puerto Rico.” 12:30-2 p.m. | Tuesday, March 9 | Register. A four-part lecture series on climate justice continues with this talk by Maritza Barreto of the Graduate School of Urban Planning at the University of Puerto Rico Piedras. The lectures are sponsored by the U of I Department of Urban and Regional Planning. Next up: "Climate Crisis in California" (March 23) and "Climate Gentrification in Florida" (March 31);

  • Climify — Climate Designers Podcast w/Prof. Eric Benson

    A podcast connecting climate scientists and design educators together so that we can bring climate-related projects into our classrooms.

  • Description of Solar Tour with QR code link to the event registration

    C-U Solar Tour: Registration

    Visit Residential, Business, Community and Utility Scale Solar installations around C-U. 

    Friday April 21

    noon - 5:00p

    Meet professionals installing and managing solar systems at multiple scales. Network with profesionals who can answer your questions about how to get started in this field. 

    Sustainable Design will provide transportation.
    Reserve your seat.
    Limited to 30 participants, on a first-enrolled basis.