Environmental Sciences
- Senior Advisor for Environmental Sciences - Mrs Jennifer Blumhof
- Relevant Professional Bodies , Subject Associations and Networks
- Events and Publications
Environmental Sciences
Senior Advisor for Environmental Sciences - Mrs Jennifer Blumhof
About Jennifer
Jennifer graduated in Contemporary Studies at the University of Hertfordshire before obtaining postgraduate qualifications (MA) in Conservation Policy and a PGCE in secondary education from University of London Institute of Education.Over the last ten years,whilst lecturing in environmental sciences,she has taken a leading role in graduate skills development currently as Assistant Director of the Hertfordshire Integrated Learning Project,concerned with the integration of skills development with academic content. She actively promotes an action research approach to learning and teaching as part of the professionalisation of teaching in Higher Education, and has recently been appointed as a Learning and Teaching Development Tutor for the university. Nationally she was a member of the Benchmarking Panel for Earth Science, Environmental Science and Environmental Studies and advisor to the Benchmarking Panel for Geography. Over the past three years she has also been actively involved in the Committee for the Heads of Environmental Sciences particularly promoting pedagogy in the discipline.
Activities
- Keeping in contact with the environmental science community through the activities of the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES), CHES Learning and Teaching Committee and the Institution of Environmental Sciences- Education Committee
- Keeping in contact with the European environmental science community through work with AuDes and ESSENCE
- Keeping in contact with the broader education community through work with Hertfordshire Integrated Learning Project, Association of Eastern Region Universities- regional profiling group, membership of the Institute of Learning and Teaching and through work as Learning and Teaching Development Tutor for the University of Hertfordshire.
- Answering telephone and email enquiries about ES in HE
- Organising the CHES annual conference and AGM
- Promoting the dissemination of good practice through Swap Shops
- Continuing with the development of Esac-ltsn jiscmail discussion list and CHES web site
- Promoting collation of good practice examples from UK and overseas (through ESSENCE contacts) to contribute to the Resource Database
- Contributing to the organisation of the Annual Skills conferences
- Raise the profile of the GEES Subject Centre through participation and presentation at environmental science and educational events
For more information and resources on learning and teaching in environmental sciences see the Committee of Heads of Environmental Science (CHES) web-site.
Relevant Professional Bodies , Subject Associations and Networks in Environmental Science
Committee of Heads of Environmental Science (CHES)
"The Committee of Heads of Environmental Science or"CHES" is an active organisation for all those involved in Environmental Sciences programmes within UK higher and further education. It serves as a peer-pressure group to enhance quality of outcomes in environmental education and aims to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between all relevant bodies, both within the UK and worldwide. We are concerned with research into all aspects of the environmental sciences as it affects HEIs, as well as the teaching and development of Environmental Sciences courses. We offer advice to government by invitation (through consultation exercises) and proactively in our own right. We have strong links with sister organisations in the American, Australian, European and Asian continents."
Institution of Environmental Science (IES)
"The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) is a charitable organisation which promotes and raises public awareness of environmental science by supporting professional scientists and academics working in this crucial arena. As a seminal environmental sciences organisation, founded in 1971, the Institution is consulted by the Government and other interested parties on environmental issues. The Institution has strong ties with Higher Education and promotes and supports environmental science and sustainable development in universities and colleges both nationally and internationally."
Environmental Sciences Learning & Teaching Events and Publications
Events
The Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (CEDD) is an association of institutional representatives who come together to improve the quality, stature and effectiveness of academic environmental programs at U.S. universities and colleges. CEDD is facilitated by the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) as a part of its University Affiliate Program. CEDD holds an annual meeting (July 15-17th, 2008 Washington State).
Publications
"Planet is the bi-annual publication of the GEES Subject Centre. Its aims are to Identify and disseminate good practice in learning and teaching across the three disciplines of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences and present examples and case studies in a "magazine" format; Provide a forum for the discussion of ideas about learning and teaching in the three discipline communities; and Provide information for readers on Subject Centre activities and on related resources, conferences and educational developments."