Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Manage

This intensive summer workshop is the first in a three-part sequence designed to provide MPA-ESP students with practical experience in interdisciplinary environmental problem-solving. Students work in faculty-advised teams to develop a management strategy for implementing an environmental statute or international agreement not yet in effect. Emphasis is placed on translating scientific understanding into actionable policy and operational plans. The summer term focuses on the scientific basis of the policy challenge, enabling students to communicate complex environmental science to non-scientific stakeholders and decision-makers.

Students assume defined project roles, such as project managers, deputy managers, and task leaders—and are responsible for producing a series of group outputs, including a legislative summary, scientific analysis of the environmental problem, evaluation of the proposed solution, and measurement indicators of program success. Faculty assign projects and roles, guide group management, and evaluate individual and team performance. A strong focus is placed on professional skill-building, collaborative writing, memo and report development, and oral briefings. Students are expected to attend all sessions, meet frequent deadlines, and engage fully in team-based work under real-world conditions.

This workshop is a required core course for MPA-ESP students, preparing them for the Fall Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management II and the Spring Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Policy Analysis.