About the USSEE
What We Do and Support
About USSEE
The USSEE is one of ten regional professional organizations with the International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE) forming the world wide umbrella organization. All ecological economics societies hold professional meetings that serve as a forum for exchanging information, presenting cutting edge research results and advancing practical solutions toward an ecologically sustainable and economically viable future.
Ecological Economics is the science of sustainability. It brings together academics and practitioners from a variety of science and social science disciplines including biology, ecology, chemistry, computer science, economics, management, sociology and philosophy.
The common goal of ecological economists is to improve theoretical models and practical solutions to achieving long term economic and social well-being without undermining the absorptive, regenerative and resource capacity of the natural environment.
USSEE members are academics and practitioners engaged in research, policy, community projects and various other activities and collaborations to advance the interdisciplinary field of ecological economics. The society is very intentional about advancing dialogue across different disciplines, backgrounds and professional contexts to address pressing social and ecological problems.
The society is particularly interested in advancing work that seeks to identify concrete solutions and actions to bring about a more just and sustainable future. The 2009 conference of USSEE reflects these goals and the society’s commitment to engage science and policy in dialogue and collaborative action.
University Education
The USSEE provides leadership in curriculum development at the undergraduate, graduate and continuing education level in a range of academic fields such as environmental science, environmental studies, ecological economics, policy, management, law, and ethics.
Citizen Education
The USSEE provides a venue for the intellectual exchange and communication about the scope of work in the field of ecological economics including analyses and positions about the economic, social, and environmental crises we face as a nation, as well as the policy options available for addressing them effectively.
Research, Policy Analysis and Community Projects
The USSEE plays a key role in setting the research agenda for ecological economics in the United States, and in communicating the development of effective economic, social, and environmental policies. In engaging both academics and practitioners as its members, the USSEE is committed to ongoing research and analysis as well as identifying policy tools and practical solutions that can be implemented at the national, state and community level.
Student Support
The USSEE welcomes students of ecological economics to join the society as special members. Students are represented in the USSEE Board. USSEE provides financial aid to students to enable them to participate in meetings and present their work. Visit the student members' page for more details.
Biennial Meetings
The USSEE’s Biennial meetings provide a national and international forum to focus on the latest issues in ecological economics and to share information about new developments and activities.
The next USSEE conference will be held May 31 to June 3rd, 2009 at American University in Washington D.C. The conference theme is “Science and Policy for a Sustainable Future”. We anticipate an exciting meeting! For further information, please visit the conference web site at http://www.ussee.org/conference09/
The Inaugural conference was held in Duluth, Minnesota July 2001 and attracted over 200 ecological economists from around the world.
The 2003 conference was held in Saratoga Springs, New York in May 2003. We held our Third USSEE Biennial Conference in July 2005 in Tacoma, Washington.
The Fourth USSEE Biennial Conference in New York City in June of 2007 was the most successful conference to date, with three hundred ecological economists attending.
Books
In conjunction with the Institute for a Sustainable Future, USSEE features a bookstore showcasing a selection of the latest titles in the field of Ecological Economics, the majority of which have been authored by USSEE and ISEE members. USSEE and ISEE members will receive a 10% discount and a portion of the proceeds will support the society.
Other Publications
To advance the discussions in ecological economics and have the expertise of its members readily available to the public, the USSEE publishes Policy Briefs, Working Papers, and Quarterly Newsletters. Please check the USSEE web site for other updates.