AERE Scholars Program

The AERE Scholars Program is an ambitious effort to increase diversity in environmental and natural resource economics, help the newest members of our community succeed, and create an inclusive culture that encourages members to give back to the organization and field. Any early-career scholar in environmental or natural resource economics who is no more than five years post PhD can apply (including those in academic and non-academic positions and those finishing PhD programs in application year). Mentors must have a minimum of five years of professional experience and be AERE members.

Mission
The AERE mentoring program aims to engage a diverse group of early career environmental and natural resource economists in AERE while providing invaluable career guidance, skill development, and networking opportunities. 

Vision
We envision that as a result of this program AERE will exhibit substantially greater diversity and will help make economics a field that is respected both for its contributions to addressing the world's problems and for embracing an inclusive culture.

Our Core Values

  1. We believe a diverse community makes for a more robust and inclusive organization and fosters excellence in our core functions as environmental and natural resource economists. 
  2. We believe all members deserve respect and opportunity.
  3. We believe in the sharing of skills and knowledge among and between mentees, leadership and mentors.
  4. We do not believe in single-dimension ranking or using pedigree to proxy for research quality.

AERE is interested in engaging broader constituencies (as defined by race, ethnicity, gender identify, sexual orientation, institutional rank, research profile, career type and stage, among other dimensions of diversity) in the organization and larger economics community. The AERE Scholars Program focuses on establishing networking connections, developing the skills needed to succeed and lead in economics, and creating a critical mass of change agents needed to pivot the noted toxic culture in economics to one that is more diverse, empathic, and supportive. First, our mentoring program fosters relationships and networks along three dimensions: (1) the mentor and mentee, (2) peer groups of mentors and mentees, and (3) different cohort groups. Second, we advance skills via these networks by co-developing resources on how to succeed, how to mentor, and how to develop trust. Last, we build on lessons from collective leadership to mobilize program participants to act on the positive culture that we co-create. 

Process/Timeline:

  • Information session: December 12
  • Applications open: December 15
  • Deadline for all applications: January 15
  • Selections made/applicants notified: February 15
  • Matching done/participants notified: March 15
  • Mentor training/Scholar orientation: TBD
  • Annual Workshop: late May/early June (in conjunction with AERE Summer Conference)

Eligibility

  • Scholars

Any early-career scholar in environmental or natural resource economics who is no more than five years post PhD can apply (including those in academic and non-academic positions and those finishing PhD programs in application year). Scholars must demonstrate a commitment to increasing diversity in economics, an interest in actively working to improve the culture in economics, and a desire to grow personally and professionally. The scholar application includes 13 questions, five of which are short essays to be answered in no more than 150 words:

      • Demographic information (Name, email, current position, year of PhD, academic field, gender, race/ethnicity, other aspects of diversity)
      • Professional aspirations
      • Current research, research interests, and/or professional activities
      • How and why you think this program will benefit you as well as how and why you will benefit this program
      • Contributions to date and/or plans for future contributions to increase diversity and improve the culture in economics
      • Your ideal mentor
  • Mentors
Mentors must have a minimum of five years of professional experience and be AERE members. We expect mentors to be willing to commit time and energy to the mentoring process, share experiences and advice about the profession, and provide objective feedback. The mentor application includes 11 questions, two of which are short essays to be answered in no more than 150 words:
      • Demographic information (Name, email, current position, year of PhD, academic field, gender, race/ethnicity, other relevant positions/experiences, past participation in a mentoring program as a mentor or mentee)
      • What you will bring to the program
      • How you will benefit from the program