Shaping Our Environmental Future
Join the collective voice of the environmental disciplines in education.
Accreditation.
Learning.
Networking.
Influence.
For academic staff, professional staff, students and education partners
About us
CHES provides representation and leadership to the environmental education communities.
We are an active networking organisation enhancing the quality of outcomes for education institutions teaching environmental disciplines.
We facilitate connections between members and develop new avenues of international co-operation within the environmental science community.
CHES oversees the largest accreditation scheme of environmental degree programmes in the world.
degree programmes
member institutions
+
student members
Shaping our environmental future.
Understanding
We undertake research in areas of concern and interest for our members. Recent publications include A Collaborative approach to improving graduate outcomes and the use of Living Labs.
Inspiring
CHES and the IES work to ensure young people from all backgrounds are inspired to begin and sustain an environmental education – from primary to postgraduate – boosting your student recruitment.
Enabling
We support our members by delivering employability services, promote diversity and inclusion and provide pathways for their graduates into the environmental profession.
Join Today
How to add your institution to our network
Membership is for an Further or Higher Education institutions delivering environmental programmes. Our annual membership runs concurrently with the UK academic year (September – August).
All academic staff within the environmental unit can become part of the CHES network, whether they are involved in teaching, learning or research.
Costs
1st year membership – £250
Accredited Membership – £500
Non-accredited Membership – £250
Programme Accreditation
Join the largest environmental programme accreditation scheme in the world.
Upcoming submission deadlines
10th May 2022 • TBC
Benefits of Accreditation
- Quality assurance: expert input into programme design and independent validation of alignment of course content with externally recognised benchmark standard (QAA ES3)
- Marketing: signal to potential students and employers that your department’s teaching, learning and research are aligned with recognised high-quality quality standards and professional development. Accreditation is reported in a dedicated column in the Key Information Sheets on the unistats website. Meets expectation that HEIs that Under Graduate and Post Graduate programmes are accredited, including recommendations of the Wakeham review.
- Networking: Association with CHES and the IES (the UK’s fastest growing professional body focused on environment & sustainability), influential organisations leading debate, dissemination and promotion of environmental science and sustainability; especially systems-based interdisciplinary approaches.
- Employability: Promotes/supports employability esp. in professional and managerial positions thus will support positive outcomes under the Graduate Outcomes Survey. Provides opportunity to access a network of key employers and professionals within the environment and sustainability sectors
- Networking and learning and development opportunities nationally and internationally through CHES contacts, annual conference and other events; link to IES
- Eligibility to sit on the Executive Committee with access to CHES meeting reports and minutes; potential to join/interact with IES Council as CHES is IES Education Committee’
- Opportunities to add to collective voice in engagement with priority issues and influence national agendas (e.g. TEF, REF, degree apprenticeships)
- Bi-monthly email update including funding opportunities and events
- Learning: Access to material and other resources which can be used to support curriculum
- Free student membership of the IES for the duration of their studies
- Support for and demonstration of commitment to professional devt; First steps on an environmental career path which could take them to Chartered Status and beyond
- Free and early access to electronic copies of the latest edition of our journal, environmental SCIENTIST and a monthly e-newsletter
- Opportunities to publish articles, blog-pieces and publicise their work etc via IES website
- Free or reduced entry to IES events
- Access to exclusive members-only content through the IES’ online portal; including resources and materials to support their studies and CPD
- Upon graduation, automatic upgrade to Associate Membership, and then half price for the next year
- Increase desirability of the individual to prospective employers
FOR THE DEPARTMENT
- Quality assurance: receive expert input into programme design and independent validation of alignment of course content with externally recognised benchmark standard (QAA ES3).
- Marketing: signal to potential students and employers that your department’s teaching, learning and research are aligned with recognised high-quality standards.
- Reputation: meets expectation that UG and PG programmes are accredited, including recommendations of the Wakeham Review. In the UK accreditation status is reported in a dedicated column in the Key Information Sheets on the unistats website.
- Employability: promotes and supports the employability agenda. Provides opportunity to access tailor-built employability services and a network of key employers and professionals within the environment and sustainability sectors.
FOR STAFF
- Networking, learning and development opportunities: both nationally and internationally through the CHES annual conference and other events.
- Influence: Eligibility to sit on the Executive Committee and influence policy on a wide range of educational issues, including TEF, REF, degree apprenticeships.
- Learning: Access resources which can be used to support curriculum, in addition to a bi-monthly update including funding opportunities and events.
FOR STUDENTS
- Free student membership of the IES for the duration of your studies.
- Supporting your first steps on an environmental career path which could take you to Chartered Status and beyond.
- Free and early access to electronic copies of the latest edition of our journal, environmental SCIENTIST and a monthly e-newsletter.
- Free or reduced entry to IES events, including frequent webinars.
- Access to exclusive members-only content through the IES’ online portal; including resources and materials to support your studies .
- Upon graduation, free upgrade to Associate Membership, and then half price membership the following year.
- Increase your desirability to prospective employers.
“Accreditation continues to be a positive driver in development of academic and professional course outcomes through relevant Benchmark Statements and the CHES ethos... accreditation offers our students’ membership of a professional body, with access to great online resources. Furthermore, it is good to know that the continued professional development of our graduates is in good hands beyond the time they spend with us.”
Dr Charlotte Braungardt
Programme Manager, BSc Environmental Science Plymouth University
