Curated Tracks

In addition to our standard topical tracks, AASHE also offers groups with expertise in a particular subject the opportunity to host a curated track. In this model, the groups work with AASHE to select relevant sessions and design a cohesive program focused on their area of expertise. This alternative approach to program design is intended to foster programmatic innovation and generate the kind of focused and higher-level content that attendees are seeking. Proposal submitters have the option to suggest their session for consideration for a curated track via the Session Management System.

This year, we will be featuring two curated tracks, as described below. We aren’t able to accept additional curated tracks for AASHE 2020, but we are hoping to feature more in subsequent years so please contact education@aashe.org if you are potentially interested in curating a track.


Campus As A Living Lab Track

The educational sessions provided through the Campus as a Living Lab (CAL) Track will help participants to learn how to support applied learning and research opportunities that improve sustainability outcomes for campus and/or the community. The organizers are especially seeking proposals that relate to the following topics: evaluating CAL programs/courses; navigating the first few years of a CAL program; funding or financing CAL projects and programs; tracking and documenting CAL work; and communicating about CAL programs and projects. They also hope to feature CAL programs at a diversity of institution types, from community colleges to research universities.

Organizing Team: Sarah Brylinksy (Cornell University), Emily Canosa (University of Michigan), Laurelin Haas (Florida State University), Rachelle Haddock (University of Calgary), Donald Jantz (Mount Royal University), Christina Kaunzinger (Rutgers University), Brandon Morton (Dallas County Community College District), Jake Pollack (Strategic Energy Innovations) and Emily Quinton (Portland State University)


Communications Track

Communications play an increasingly important role in advancing higher education sustainability. Yet many sustainability professionals must balance other responsibilities alongside communications tasks, leaving them little time to develop coherent strategies, pursue creative projects, or dive into analytics. Meanwhile, dedicated communications staff have much to offer each other in terms of comparing best practices and sharing insight into specialized topics. The Communications Track will cover a range of subjects designed to serve both new and experienced sustainability communicators. Participants will have the opportunity to develop and refine their own communications strategies as well as build their professional networks.

The organizers are especially seeking proposals that relate to the following topics: university and departmental branding; newsletter basics and innovations and innovations; social media do’s and don’ts; best practices for news and blog writing; audience and analytics; web content management; video and content creation; graphic design; survey creation; and relationship building with your university’s communications department or student assistants.

Organizing Team: Kris Dreessen (State University of New York College at Geneseo) and Kendon Jung (Arizona State University)